Dudek Universal - 3.4 Quick Descent Methods

3.4 QUICK DESCENT METHODS
3.4.1 BIG EARS
In order to get the big ears you have to pull down the outer lines of the A' risers
(distinguished by blue sheath) by some 20-50 cm. While inducing big ears you
should never let the brakes out of your hands.
After tucking the tips in, Universal will continue to fly straight with increased sink
rate (up to 5 m/s). You can steer the wing pretty efficiently by weight-shifting.
After releasing lines, the paraglider will usually open up on its own or you can
assist it with a long stroke of the brakes. For the sake of safety (the possibility of
a parachutal stall) it is reasonable to engage speed system after pulling big ears
in order to lessen the angle of attack of the wing centre. Executing big ears with
opened trimmers is very difficult due to reflex profile stabilisation.
CAUTION: See the PARACHUTAL STALL chapter.
Never try to pull big ears during powered climb, as the increased drag can
lead to increase of the angle of attack and a parachutal stall.
Besides, pulling the ears while climbing is pointless anyway.
3.4.2 SPIRAL DIVE
Universal is a very agile paraglider, so entering spiral dive happens very quickly
and can be surprising for the less experienced pilot. A spiral dive is characterised
by reaching the highest sink rates possible. Significant G-forces, however, make
it difficult to sustain a spiral dive for long, as will place high loads on both pilot
and glider to degree of losing consciousness by the pilot. Never do this
manoeuvre in turbulence or at too high bank angles. Control the dive and do not
exceed 16 m/s sink. If the dive is not stopping after releasing the brake,assist the
glider with the outer one.
NEVER DO BIG EARS IN A SPIRAL! In this manoeuvre smaller number of
lines is carrying an excessive load mulitplied by the centrifugal force, what
can lead to damage of the lines or even the paraglider itself (load of a
single line can be much higher than passed in certification trials (i.e. 8 G).
3.4.3 B-STALL
B-stall can be executed only with fully closed trimmers (i.e. pos. ‘0’).
To enter a B-stall, simultaneously pull down both B-risers (red tape) by 10 – 15
cm. The canopy will collapse across the entire span along its B-row, the airflow
over top surface will break and canopy surface will be decreased. Forward
movement will be almost completely stopped. Further pulling B-risers is not
advised, as tests have shown it to increase wing instability. If the canopy forms a
horseshoe with both wingtips in front of the pilot, gently apply both brakes to
recover.
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