Three reasons for APCO First Harness III.
- SCHUL
The classic starter harness
“A simple and uncluttered harness for teaching or soaring flights” — strong, light, durable.
- EASY
Fits almost everyone
“Enough adjustment to fit all but the largest and very smallest of pilots” — one size with zipper extender.
- LIGHT
1.6 kg without seat plate
2.145 kg with the 2-stage seat plate — also used for bivouac and high-mountain flights.
About this model.
Suitability per the manufacturer: a fully flyable, safe harness, but intended for ground handling and first school flights and nothing more than that.
Gallery.
Frequently asked questions about the APCO First Harness III.
Who is the First intended for?
For training and soaring flights — deliberately kept simple and clear. It has enough adjustment to fit from the smallest to the tallest pilot, which makes it practical for flight schools: one harness for many students instead of a shelf full of sizes.
What is the ABS steering?
ABS couples the two hang points so that the harness body does not rotate away uncontrollably under one-sided load. For training and the first solo flights that is exactly right: the harness stays predictable while you are still learning weight-shift control.
What EN class does this harness have?
None — and that is not a defect but a common mix-up. EN classes A to D describe the flight behaviour of paraglider canopies under EN 926-2. Harnesses are tested to their own standard (EN 1651), which covers the attachment, strength and the protector. If someone offers you a harness as "EN-A", it is mislabelled. The actual test documents for this model are available as downloads.
Does the harness fit my wing?
In principle yes — harnesses and wings are not brand-bound. Two things matter: carabiner spacing and hang-point height. Both influence how directly the wing responds to weight shift; an XC wing wants a different geometry than a beginner wing. Tell us your wing and your body measurements and we will check the combination before you order.
Is a reserve parachute included?
No. Harness and reserve are ordered separately, and that makes sense: the reserve must match the suspended weight, the container the packing volume of the reserve. Tell us which rescue system you want to install — we will check in advance whether container and canopy fit together.
