airwave SPORT 4 Betriebshandbuch Seite 29

25
Chapterl IV
Flight Characteristi cs
This manual is not intended as an instruction book on how to fly the SPORT 4, you should be a
qualified pilot or under suitable supervision, but the following comments describe how to get the best
from your SPORT 4.
Activ e Pil oti ng
Even though the SPORT 4 is designed as a first time glider, 'active piloting' is a tool that will help you
fly with greater safety and enjoyment. Active piloting is flying in empathy with your paraglider. This
means not only guiding the glider through the air but also being aware of feedback from the wing,
especially in thermals and turbulence. If the air is smooth the feedback can be minimal but in
turbulence feedback is continuous and needs to be constantly assessed by the pilot through the
brakes and the harness. Such reactions are instinctive in good pilots. Maintaining contact with the
glider through pressure on the brakes is essential and allows the pilot to feel the loss of internal
pressure, which often precedes a collapse. The SPORT 4 is highly resistant to collapse without any
pilot action at all, but learning how to fly actively will increase this safety margin even further.
Harness
The SPORT 4 is tested with a 'GH' type harness. The GH category includes weight shift harnesses as
well as ABS style (semi stable) harnesses.
Ta ke- off
The SPORT 4 is easy to inflate in light or stronger winds and will quickly rise overhead to the flying
position. The best inflation technique is to hold one A riser in each hand. The 'big ears' risers should
be also held for the best inflation.
a) Nil Wind – Inflation is best done by taking both of the A risers in each hand. This is the reason why
the A risers are both marked with red cloth, and they are velcroed together to make it easier to grasp
them before the launch. The vecro is intended to come detached in flight, particularly when the speed
system is used, though it has no significant effect if the velcro remains attached. In nil or very light
wind, stand with all the A lines taut behind you, then take one or two steps back (do not walk all the
way back to the canopy) and then begin your launch run pulling gently and smoothly on the A risers.
As soon as the canopy starts to rise off the ground stop pulling so hard on the A risers but pull all the
risers evenly through the harness. Maintaining gentle pressure on the A risers always helps in very
calm conditions. Have your hands ready to slow up the canopy with the brakes it it starts to
accelerate past you.
b) Reverse Launch – In winds over 10 km/h it is probably better to do a reverse launch and inflate the
canopy whilst facing it using the A risers.
The SPORT 4 has little tendency to overshoot but releasing pressure on the A risers when the canopy
has risen about 45° will help to reduce this. The stronger the wind and the greater the pressure on the
A riser the more quickly the canopy will rise.
Handbuch / Manuel d'utilisation / Owners Manuel - Airwave Sport 4 – Issue rev 1.0 – 17.01.2008 Page 29 / 29