Take-Off, Flight And Flying Techniques; Pre-Flight Checks; Rapid Descent Techniques - SKY PARAGLIDERS APOLLO XS Bedienungsanleitung

TAkE-OFF, FLIGhT AND FLyING
TEChNIquES
In general APOLLO will behave in a conventional manner. However, listed
below are several points which will enable you to more rapidly familiarise
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 activated
whilst 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. APOLLO
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 above your head. 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 APOLLO, caution is recommended during
approach and landing. APOLLO 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
steadily releasing the outside brake. Speeding up just prior to landing allows
a more effective flare and a gentler touch-down in nil or light winds.
4) Turning
APOLLO 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 consequently 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 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
APOLLO is equiped with a split A riser system.
Grasp the outside big ears A riser on the Red coloured section and
squeeze them outwards and downwards 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.
If necessary, it is possible to initiate small alterations in direction by weight
shift control. 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 to reopen ears may result in
a stall.
Spiral Drive
APOLLO 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 throughout, at least, one whole revolution.
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