Hello
EN + DHVSince beginning of EN testing for almost 2 years ago there were two test laboratories testing according to EN standard; Air Turquoise in Switzerland and Aerotests in France. The problem was the market was divided in two parts; European Countries and Germany. Germany, DHV, has worked along with EN standards from the planning phase to acceptance of the standard, but they didn’t want to apply for it in Germany. The EN test laboratories couldn’t get admittance into German market and the manufacturers couldn’t sell their EN certified gliders there. The result; manufacturers had to certify the gliders two times; one time for European market (EN) and second for German market (DHV). The cost for the manufacturer’s rises and the unfounded situation had to change.
3 EN test laboratoriesLobbyism in Germany and a new EN test laboratory, European Academy were born. European Academy got approval from German government (LBA) to certify gliders according to EN standard and LTF (DHV).
The consequence is three test laboratories in Europe and we must all working together to follow the same rules. All three EN test laboratories; European Academy with Guido Ruesch, Aerotests (FFVL) with Marion Varner and Vincent Teulier, Air Turquoise SA with Randi Eriksen and Alain Zoller met in Geneva November 8, 2007. The aim of this meeting was how we can work in the same EN way; follow the same conditions and standards. We agreed to have collaboration between all EN test laboratories.
The law in Germany is still the same; the gliders need to have LTF (DHV) classification. That means one glider will get two classification if the manufacturer wants; EN and LTF. However, still we can not compare these two classifications. For example one and the same glider can get EN B and LTF 1 (DHV 1) and another glider get EN B and LTF 1-2. This can happen because the EN and LTF results are given differently.
How long with LTF?The test pilots from Aerotests and Air Turquoise SA will get the chance to go through LTF learning, so they can be able to classify the glider after LTF. We don’t know if LTF will remain in Germany. For this the law needs to be changed. This is also an issue for PMA, Paraglider Manufacturer Association. They will have the power to influence the paraglider market and its needs.
Best regards,
Randi Eriksen, Air Turquoise SA (Switzerland)
www.para-test.com
