_63 _EN_62
folds to the rear. The brake hand-
le remains in the hand without a
wrap. The maneuver is stable and
there is no flapping of the collap-
sed wing sections. The pressure
to hold the B3 stall is minimal. To
return to normal flight, release the
B3 lines symmetrically. The wing
will open without delay. If applying big ears, we recommend accelera-
ting the wing at least 25%. By the way… as with big ears, the middle
of the wing does not deform during the B3 stall. Therefore, the wing
remains in forward flight.
2) Spiral dive
The spiral dive is the most demanding descent technique and should
be learned at great height, preferably during an SIV/pilotage course.
The manoeuvre has two phases:
First the pilot weight-shifts into the turn and then uses the inner
brake to induce an ever tightening turn (note: do not jerk the brake, but
pull it smoothly and continuously). With increasing acceleration, there
will be a moment where the G-forces rapidly increase and the nose
of the glider begins to point to the ground until (during a successfully
performed spiral dive) the nose is nearly parallel with the ground. At
this point the wing will reach sink rates of 20 meters per second (m/s)
or more.
The acceleration can be more than three times gravitational force
(>3g). The pilot must be aware of these forces.
Before learning to spiral, pilots should practise controlled exits from
steep turns. These exits are performed by using the outer brake, whilst
the inner brake initially remains in the same position. The outer brake
is pulled until the rotational movement slows. To achieve a smooth exit
without pitching forward, the outer brake must be released more as
soon as the wing starts to level, i.e. as soon as the wing is no longer
horizontal.
The actual spiral dive – as outlined above – only occurs after the above
Turning
Turning a wing is the combination of inner brake, outer brake and
weight-shift. The key is the correct dose of each element. One of the
features of the MENTOR 7 Light is its sensitive handling. Small brake
inputs are sufficient to fly precise turns.
In thermals, in addition to the inner brake, we recommend lightly
braking on the outside as well – this helps to control bank and speed
of rotation, i.e. you get better feedback from the wing. Additionally
this increases the stability of the wing tip. Tight, controlled turns and
smooth direction changes need practise but should be a skill all pilots
have mastered.
Please note: if the paraglider is no longer steerable using the brake
lines (for example if they have become tangled) then the wing has
limited steering capacity through the C-risers.
This, in combination with weight-shift, still allows reasonable turn
correction. Using this technique also permits a safe landing. The
C-risers should not be pulled so hard that they cause the wing to stall.
Landing
Landing the MENTOR 7 Light is very simple. In turbulent conditions
it is advisable to make your approach whilst pulling a little brake in
order to increase stability and to increase the feeling for the wing‘s
movement.
Immediately before touchdown the brakes should be pulled hard –
even to the point of stall.
Rapid descent techniques
To quickly lose height, we recommend two possible manoeuvres.
We have ordered these by degree of difficulty:
1.) B3 Stall:
Instead of pulling down the outermost A-lines (like you do when ap-
plying big ears), the B3 lines are pulled down quickly and symmetrical-
ly about 40-50 cm to induce the B3 stall. As a result the outer wing
Please note: a full stall
– if initiated too early –
can lead to heavy lan-
dings or even serious
accidents. Therefore
the brakes should
only be pulled fully
immediately before
touching the ground
(<0.5 meters).
!
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
