Tandem Pilot

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Paragliding Harness

Simply named Pilot harness and Passenger harness these harness set is APCO’s foot mark in the tandem harness market.
Specially designed for professional use by tandem pilots and their passengers.

Each harness is designed to be used as part of an integrated set for Pilot and Passenger. Synergized to work perfectly together.

Of course each harness can be used on its own, but they work best when combined.

Pilot harness

Extremely comfortable, safe, and light, the pilot harness was designed for ease of use with maximum protection. The seat plate is flared outward to accommodate the passenger. The Pilot Harness provides excellent ergonomics on the ground and in flight. Many special features have been built in to make the pilot’s job easier, and more comfortable.

One feature deserves special attention: The harness set is equipped with a special, unique pilot stirrup – which helps provide for automatic transition of passenger into sitting position. This is pilot operated on take-off (original solution developed by APCO. Credit to Matthieu Arlettaz). The stirrup doubles as a foot rest, supporting pilots legs during flight and relieving leg strain during flight. (see video under Features tab)

The harness has multiple adjustment points to fit a wide range of pilot sizes – thus it can be offered in one size only.

Getting in and out of harness is extremely easy.

The Pilot Harness integrates together perfectly with the matching Passenger Harness and at its best when coupled with the Passenger Harness

  • Only 2.9kg. without seatplate and airfoam (add 600gr. for plywood seatplate)
  • Maximum protection – APCO’s standard airfoam protector with lexan plate
  • Automatic passenger transition into sitting position on take-off (pioneered by APCO)
  • Pilot leg rest stirrup (APCO unique) – see video here below
  • Low volume – easy to fold and pack
  • Foolproof chest T-lock system
  • Emergency parachute under the seat
  • Deployment handle highly visible and accessible for right or left hand deployment
  • Optimal back support with APCO exclusive load spreading semi-rigid elements and thick airmesh lining for breathability and comfort.
  • New, lightweight Quick Lock Buckles
  • Reflective piping for better visibility in the air and on the ground
  • Plenty of space in the back pocket
  • Two extra mesh compartments in the back pocket
  • Additional pocket for notes and documents
  • Two mesh side pockets for easy access in flight
  • Water bladder ready
  • High density cloth – light, strong and durable
  • Cloth covered shoulder straps
  • Integrated channelling for emergency parachute connection
  • Loop and slide adjusters for one handed in-flight adjustment
  • 7075 T6 Aluminum aviation grade hardware
  • Designed for use with APCO’s new 3 Ton forged karabiner (harness designed specially to be coupled with this karabiner)
  • + much, much more…
Weight
Harness2.9 [Kg]
Standard seatplate0.6 [Kg]
Airfoam Protector+lexan plate (optional)1.0 [Kg]
Total Weight4.5 [Kg]

Foam Protector and Lexan Sheet (optional)

Foam Protector and Lexan Sheet (optional)
The pilot protection system, combines the usual airfoam type protector with a lexan sheet (47143) which aids in spreading the load over the absorbing area of the airfoam offering the maximum protection available to a paraglider pilot today.

Test results conducted by DHV confirm that our standard 15cm Airfoam protector is fully in line with DHV requirements when used in combination with harness.

Mayday Emergency Parachute

Accumulated experience from APCO’s immensely successful Mayday range was implemented into the Pilot harness. The integrated emergency parachute compartment is perfectly located under the pilot seat, providing extra protection as well as having the emergency deployment handle intuitively positioned at close reach (and highly visible) and suitable for left or right hand deployment. The integrated emergency parachute compartment is ideally suited to accept the range of APCO Mayday parachutes which have proven themselves time and time again, saving hundreds of pilots over the years.

Q: Where should I connect the reserve?

A: THE RESERVE SHOULD BE CONNECTED ONLY TO THE SPREADER BARS AT THE DESIGNATED E.P. ATTACHMENT POINT.
THE BRIDLES SHOULD NOT BE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE PILOT OR PASSENGER HARNESS!

Why are the bridles routed from both sides?

Since the bridles are connected to the spreader bars (infront of the pilot head) and not to the shoulder (behind the pilots head)
If routing only from one side, when the reserve is deployed there is a chance that the bridle will get caught on the pilots head/helmet!!
This would be the opposite bridle from the side of the handle.
Question:
We just had a incident, during regular checking, where bridles were routed
as instructed, both sides. Handle on the right. When reserve thrown
backwards, the left bridle got stuck, probably partly under backprotector. 
So in real emergency, when reserve would have inflated, it would most likely
have turned pilot hardly forwards, hitting pilots face against passenger. 
Answer:
You have a good point but we would prefer any type of injury over a broken neck…
Hope this is now clear
Pilot answer:
Hi.

Thanks, yes, I think you are right.

The reserve was not Apco’s, and we think jamming may be partly because of bridles, that probably are too short.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Send us your questions: Contact us

The Tandem Pilot harness is supplied as standard, complete with:

Plywood Seat-plate, and emergency parachute deployment handle

Optional Accessories

57007: Tandem Spreader Bars

178.00$

Redesigned Spreader bars to attach a second harness to your tandem paraglider incorporating An automatic B-stall mechanism integrated into the spreader bar

Mayday Paraglider

558.00$835.00$

Apco Aviation started manufacturing the Mayday in 1984, and since then put over 40,000 pieces into service in the Paragliding and Hang Gliding markets. The Mayday has hundreds of life saving deployments to its name, from beginners to world champions ( Read letters from saved pilots).

Info

Reviews

Harnesses – Sizing Table

HarnessSizeCodeHarness Weight [Kg]*Pilot Size (cm)Back Length (mm) - ASeat Length (mm) - BSeat Width (mm) - CDist. between Karabiners (mm)- DSupported Back (mm) - EHook-in Height (mm) - FPod Length - G
First IIIMultisize with
zipper expander
481332.145 (incl.)140-190
Hikeone size470301.300 (incl.)160 to 190610430230 x 2295 - 490320420
Chairbag Integral Vone size460303.240 (incl.)160-185700390380385 - 575450430
RitmaS/M450503.900 (incl.)Up to 170680400390420 - 615360420
RitmaL/XL451004.000 (incl.)170-185750435400420 - 615400415
RitmaXXL451504.100 (incl.)180 and up750435400420 - 615400405
Spark IIS/M431025.120 (incl.)Up to 170740370350375 - 575400390
Spark IIL/XL432025220 (incl.)170-185775410390375 - 575420415
Spark IIXXL433025320 (incl.)180 and up790470400375 - 575420440
KittoS / M443102710 (incl.)up to 185
KittoL / XL443202840 (incl.)**180 - 205
Swift RaceM/L446105.950 (incl.)up to 190640410320395 - 540360440900 - 1000
Swift RaceXL446206.150 (incl.)185 and up700460340360 - 5353704801000 - 1100
Swift SportM/L446305.310 (incl.)up to 190640410320395 - 540360440900 - 1000
Swift SportL/XL446355.510 (incl.)185 and up700460340360 - 5353704801000 - 1100
Swift ZeroM/L446404910 (incl.)up to 190640410320395 - 540360440900 - 1000
Swift ZeroL/XL446455.110 (incl.)185 and up700460340360 - 5353704801000 - 1100
2 Lightone size426101.300 (incl.)160 to 190610430230 x 2295 - 490320420
Tandem Pilot Harnessone size424004.500 (incl.)Up to 195
Tandem Passenger Harnessone size425003.300 (incl.)a wide range
of passenger sizes
Split Legs Paramotor
HIGH Hook-In points
S/M with
zipper extender
434001.590 (incl.)Up to 185600/660260230x2340-500380/440600/690
Split Legs Paramotor
HIGH Hook-In points
L/XL with
zipper extender
434101.590 (incl.)185 and up630/690/750300260x2320-530420/480/540620/710
Split Legs Paramotor
LOW Hook-In points
S/M with
zipper extender
435001.590 (incl.)Up to 185600/660260230x2340-500380/440420/480
Split Legs Paramotor
LOW Hook-In points
L/XL with
zipper extender
435101.590 (incl.)180 and up630/690/750300260x2320-530420/480/540420/480/540
Universal ParamotorMultisize with
zipper extender
410153.100 (incl.)Up to 190630/690430390240-640440/500460/680/750
SLT Paramotor Harness
High Hook-Up points
Multisize with
zipper extender
280152.550 (incl.)Up to 190660/720400380360-610380/440590/680
SLT Paramotor Harness
Low Hook-Up points
S/M with
zipper extender
4204252.495 (incl.)Up to 185660/720400380360-610380/440340/360
SLT Paramotor Harness
Low Hook-Up points
L/XL with
zipper extender
4204262.495 (incl.)180 and up660/720400380360-610380/440340/360
Trike Pilotone size491002.850 (incl.)160-190690330+9043050360420-580
Trike Passengerone size492502.100 (incl.)160-190600340410510330350
*Harness weight denotes the total weight of the harness including Standard parts supplied with the harness such as; Seat Plate, Airfoam Protector, vibration foam (PM harnesses), and if relevant, the optional Lexan Plate.
It excludes other optional accessories such as Cockpits, Stirrups, reserve parachutes, zip-on side pickets/reserve containers etc.
**Estimated Weight

The Pilot Harness is supplied standard with seatplate and emergency parachute deployment handle (does not include Airfoam protector and Karabiners)

  • 42400 – Pilot Harness
  • 42150 – Airfoam Protector for Pilot
  • AP-100/2T – Al. karabiner 3 Ton double safety
  • AP-100/3T – Al. karabiner 3 Ton triple safety
  • 46600 – Reserve Deployment Handle for Tandem Pilot Harness (Replacement)