Take-Off, Flight And Flying Techniques; Pre-Flight Checks; Rapid Descent Techniques - Sky METIS 3 42 Benutzerhandbuch

TAKE-OFF, FLIGHT AND FLYING
TECHNIQUES
In general, characteristics of the METIS 3 are conventional when compared
to other paragliders. However, listed below are several points to help you become
better acquainted with your new glider:

1) Pre-flight Checks

 Check the envelope for damage to top and bottom 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 trimmers are symmetrically adjusted.
 Check that the brake handles are correctly attached and that each line
runs freely through the 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 away from the glider until the lines
are tight. You should now be perfectly centred with respect to your wing.
In nil wind or a light headwind, with the lines tight, take several positive
strides. The METIS 3 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. 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 having to use excessive amounts of brake 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 METIS 3, extreme caution is recommended
during approach and landing. The METIS 3 is an extremely agile and sensitive
glider. A 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 pendulum 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 METIS 3 is designed to turn efficiently and will core thermals without
the need for weight-shift piloting.
Negative steering (see above) slows the paraglider in level flight and can
reduce 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. It will also effect a flatter turn (with 15% brake) to minimize
sink rate during the turn. 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, to descend, fly away from areas of lift. If you are taken
unawares by the development of conditions or you need to descend more
rapidly, 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.
 Hold in the lines to maintain big ears 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 Drive
The METIS 3 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. Weight-shift steering will also help
the glider to bank. 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 cm respectively.
Once mastered the spiral dive allows you to descend at rates greater than
10 m/s. Extremely abrupt brake inputs, 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 gradual release of the inside brake.
Too much weight shift towards the direction of turn, or a spiral executed too
agressively may lead to the METIS 3 remaining in the spiral. In this situation
a positive input may be necessary to exit the spiral.
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