Take-Off, Flight And Flying Techniques; Rapid Descent Techniques - Sky FIDES 4 Handbuch

TAKE-OFF, FLIGHT AND FLYING
TECHNIQUES
FIDES 4 is a glider with innate passive safety and will tolerate mistakes
in its handling. FIDES 4 is well suited for novices and pilots under training but all
pilots must be adequately trained and proficient before flying this glider.
1) Checking the Paraglider Before Take-Off
 Check the sail for damage to surface, 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 tightened correctly.
 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.
 Lastly, check that the brake handles are correctly attached and that each
line runs freely in its pulley.
2) Take-off
Lay the paraglider out with the leading edge in a horseshoe shape. Hold the
A risers close to the quick links and move forward until the lines are taught.
You should now be perfectly centered with your wing. In no headwind or light
headwind with the lines taught FIDES 4 inflates rapidly. It is important that the
risers be kept in correct alignment to the pilot's body. If the risers are held too
close or too far, the take-off is very unlikely to be smooth.
The risers should neither be pushed forward nor pulled down. It is sufficient
to lead the risers forward until the canopy has reached its apex. A controlled
inflation allows you to check the wing and lines during the last phase as
it comes up and thus avoids the need to use brakes. Depending on the wind
conditions or the slope an adequate use of brakes can help you to take-off
more quickly.
3) Landing
Because of the exceptional glide, extreme caution is recommended
during approach and landing. FIDES 4 is an extremely agile glider and
is sensitive to a small input – overbraking can result in significant responses.
It is therefore recommended that your first flights are in a familiar environment
and under easy conditions. Using negative steering there is more time for the
manoeuvres to be performed smoothly, reducing the pendulum movement
of the paraglider.
Reminder: Negative steering involves applying the brakes symmetrically by
about 30% of the maximum range to slow the paraglider and initiating a turn
by means of releasing the outside brake. Speeding up just prior to landing
allows a more effective flare and therefore a gentler landing.
4) Turning
FIDES 4 was designed to perform well in turns and will centre in thermals
even without active piloting. Negative steering (see above) slows the
paraglider in certain phases of flight and reduces excessive rolling during
turn reversals. FIDES4 is designed to turn (with approx. 30% brake) but also
to fly slowly helping identify areas of lift and keeping the paraglider flatter
to minimise the sink rate in a turn (with 15% brake).
Symmetrical brake-input at 20-30 % enables you to keep your wing under
control – to brake further when pitching forward and to release when
the canopy pitches back.

5) Rapid Descent Techniques

In order to descend the paraglider must be moved away from areas of lift.
Avoid areas crowded with pilots and conditions of lift or turbulence. In case
of difficulties, the following techniques might be used to increase sink rate.
Big Ears
Pull the outside A lines until the wingtips fold back on themselves.
It is recommended to fold the wingtips individually and not together. Keep the
lines taut to stop the wingtips from reopening. Depending on the size of big
ears, the sink rate can increase up to 3–4 m/s.
As soon as the lines are released, the paraglider should spontaneously reopen.
The process can be speeded up by pumping the brakes. When pumping
the brakes it is recommended that one side of the paraglider be opened after
the other. Pulling both brakes simultaneously can result in a stall.
Spiral
FIDES 4 is a maneuverable wing that responds to any input easily. To initiate
the spiral apply one brake progressively to about 35% and hold it in position.
The speed of rotation, brake pressure and centrifugal force perceived will
increase progressively. The bank or the speed of rotation can be decreased
or increased by releasing or pulling the brake by several centimeters.
Once mastered the spiral allows you to descend by more than 10 m/s. Abrupt,
excessive or badly sychronised brake inputs may result in an asymmetrical
collapse or a spin.
CAUTION: A deep spiral is an extreme maneuver.
The kinetic energy generated must be reduced by slowly releasing the inside
brake.
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