Take-Off, Flight And Flying Techniques; Pre-Flight Checks; Rapid Descent Techniques - SKY PARAGLIDERS atis 4 Handbuch

tAkE-OFF, FlIGht AND FlyING
tEChNIquES
in general the atis 4 will behave in a conventional manner to most
paragliders. However, listed below are several points which will enable you
to more rapidly familiarize yourself with your new glider.

1) Pre-flight Checks

 Check the sail for damage to both surfaces, the internal structure (ribs,
diagonals) and seams.
 Check that the lines are not damaged or tangled.
 Check that the quick-links which connect the lines to the risers are
undamaged and correctly tightened.
 Check that the risers are not damaged or twisted.
 Check that the speed system works freely and that the lines are long
enough to ensure that the speed system is not permanently on in flight.
 Lastly, check that the brake handles are correctly attached and that each
line runs freely through its pulley.
2) take-off
Lay out the paraglider with the leading edge in a horseshoe shape.
Holding the a risers close to the quick links move forward until the lines
are tight. You should now be perfectly centered in your wing. in nil wind
or a light headwind, with lines tight take several positive strides. the atis
4 will rapidly inflate and rise over your head. Do not pull the risers too
hard, either forward or down as this could cause a collapse of the leading
edge. simply follow them with your arms until the glider reaches its angle
of flight. it is important that the centre-of-gravity of your body remains in
front of your feet during inflation of the glider so that the load through the
risers remains constant. a controlled inflation avoids excessive need of the
brakes and allows you to visually check the wing and lines during the last
phase of the launch, before acceleration to take-off speed. Depending on
the wind conditions or the slope, judicious use of the brakes may assist
a cleaner launch.
3) landing
Due to the exceptional glide of the atis 4, extreme caution is recommended
during approach and landing. the atis 4 is an extremely agile and sensitive
glider. Each brake input may initiate a significant glider reaction. it is therefore
recommended that first flights are performed in a familiar environment,
from a large launch site and under stable meteorological conditions. an
advantage of negative steering is that there is more time for manoeuvres
to be performed precisely, resulting in reduced pendular motion of the
paraglider.
Reminder: Negative steering involves slowing the glider by applying brakes
symmetrically to about 30% of the maximum range, then effecting a turn by
releasing the outside brake. speeding up just prior to landing allows a more
effective flare and a gentler touch-down.
4) turning
the atis 4 is designed to turn efficiently and will core thermals even without
the need for weight-shift piloting. Negative steering (see above) slows the
paraglider in certain phases of flight and in turn reduces excessive roll
during turn reversals. Your glider is not only designed to turn rapidly (with
approx. 30% brake) but also to fly slowly in order to help identify areas of
lift and to maintain a flatter turn to minimize sink rate during the turn (with
15% brake).
symmetrical brake-input at 20-30 % enables you to control the glider – to
brake further if the canopy pitches forward and to release when if the
canopy pitches backwards.

5) Rapid Descent techniques

as a general rule, in order to descend fly away from areas of lift. if, for whatever
reason, you are taken unawares by the development of conditions, you may
consider using the following techniques to increase your sink rate.
Big Ears
Pull the outside a lines until the wingtips fold back under the leading edge.
We recommended that you perform each ‚ear' successively and not both
simultaneously. Keep the lines taut to stop the wingtips from reopening until
the manoeuvre is finished. Depending on the size of ‚big ears' initiated, the sink
rate can increase by up to 3–4 m/s.
as soon as the lines are released, the paraglider should spontaneously
reopen. However, you can speed reopening by „pumping" the brakes in
a single sweeping movement. When pumping the brakes it is recommended
that one side of the paraglider be opened after the other. Pulling both brakes
simultaneously may result in a stall.
Spiral Dive
the atis 4 is a manoeuvrable wing that responds to pilot input precisely
and progressively. to initiate a tight spiral apply one brake progressively to
about 35% and hold it in this position. the speed of rotation and the brake
pressure will increase progressively and the centrifugal force on the pilot will
also increase. the angle and speed of rotation can be decreased or increased
by releasing or depressing the brake by several centimeters respectively.
Once mastered the spiral dive allows you to descend at rates greater than
10 m/s. Extremely abrupt or badly synchronised brake inputs or too-rapid
initiation of the spiral may result in an asymmetrical collapse and/or a spin.
CAUTION: a deep spiral is a radical manoeuvre. the kinetic energy generated
must be dissipated by slowly releasing the inside brake.
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