Take-Off, Flight And Flying Techniques; Rapid Descent Techniques - SKY PARAGLIDERS SKY Kea Handbuch

TAKE-OFF, FLIGHT AND FLYING
TECHNIQUES
KEA can be flown conventionally. However there are several points listed
below which should allow you to familiarize yourself with your new paraglider
more quickly.
1) Checking the paraglider before take-off
 Check the sail for damages 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 get
stretched. You should now be perfectly centered with your wing. With no
wind or light headwind, with lines stretched, The KEA inflates rapidly and
rises over your head with some dynamic steps. We recommend that you
do not pull risers too forward or down, which could cause a collapse of the
leading edge, but simply follow them until y our glider reaches its angle of
flight. It is important that the gravity center of your body stay in front of your
feet during the rise of the glider to constantly load the risers. A controlled
inflation allows you to check the wings 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, high caution is recommended in the stages
of approaching and landing. KEA is an agile glider, any action on the brakes
may cause significant reactions. It is therefore recommended to execute the
first flights in a familiar environment and under easy conditions. With negative
steering there is more time for the maneuvers to be performed steadily,
which results in reducing the pendulum movements of the paraglider.
Reminder: Negative steering involves applying the brakes symmetrically by
about 30% of the maximum range to slow the paraglider and a simultaneous
turning 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
KEA was designed to perform well in turns and will core the thermals even
without active piloting. Negative steering (see above) on one hand slows
the paraglider in certain phases of the flight and on the other hand reduces
excessive rolling during turn reversals. It is not only designed to turn (with
approx. 30% brake) but also to fly slowly in order to help identify the areas of
lift and to keep the paraglider flatter to minimize 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 and to release when the canopy
banks up.

5) Rapid Descent Techniques

In order to descend the paraglider must be moved away from the areas of
lift. In case any difficulties occur. The following techniques might be used to
increase the sink rate.
Big Ears
 Pull at the outside A lines until the wingtips fold back on themselves.
 It is recommended to fold the wingtips separately and not at the same time.
 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.
However, you can speed the reopening 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 Drive
KEA 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 its position. The speed
of rotation will increase progressively as well as the pressure on the brake and
the centrifugal force that is perceived. The angle 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.
Movements which are extremely abrupt or badly synchronized or very quick
initiation of the spiral can result in an asymmetrical collapse or a spin.
CAUTION: A deep spiral is no harmless maneuver. The kinetic energy
obtained must be reduced by slow releasing of the inside brake.
B-line Stall
Grasp the B risers at the quick links and pull at them symmetrically. The
paraglider will stall and drop backwards before stabilizing overhead. The
descent rate increases to 6 - 8 m/s. In order to release the B-line stall raise
both hands together in a single quick movement. Once you have released
the B-risers, KEA shall in principle immediately flight. An error adjustment
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