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18
Flying in the Rain
Modernwingsaresusceptibletorainandmoisture,yingwithawetwingcanresultinthelossofnormal
ight.
Duetotheefcient,wrinkle-freedesignofthesail,watertendstobeadontheleadingedgecausingow
separation.Flowseparation willmakethewingmorepronetoenteringinadvertentparachutal stalls,so
yingintherain,orwithawetwing(e.gearlymorningdew)shouldbeavoidedatallcosts.
Ifyouareaccidentlycaught-outinarainshower,itisbesttolandimmediately.Ifyourwingbecomeswet
intheairitisadvisedtomaintain accelerated ightusing thespeed barand/orreleasingthetrimmers,
evenduringthenalapproach.DONOTusebigearsasadescenttechnique,bigearsincreasesdrag,and
withawetwingthiswillfurtherincreasethechancesofaparachutalstalloccurring.Instead,loseheight
withgentle360’sandmaintainyourairspeedatalltimes.Ifyourwingentersparachutalstallwhenwet,
immediatelyreleasethetrimmersandacceleratethewingtoregainairspeed.
Step 1.Laymushroomedwing
ontheground.Itisbesttostart
fromthemushroomedposition
asthisreducesthedragging
oftheleadingedgeacrossthe
ground.
Step 2.GroupLEreinforcements
withtheAtabsaligned,make
suretheplasticreinforcements
laysidebyside.
Step 3.LaywingonitssideandStrap
LE...NotethegliderisNOTfolded
inhalf;itisfoldedwithacomplete
concertinafromtiptotip.Itisreally
importanttonotstressthemiddlecellor
bendtheplastictootightly.
Packing
Toprolongthelifeofyourwingandtokeeptheplasticreinforcementsinthebestpossibleconditionitisveryimportanttopackthewing
carefully.
Ozonerecommendstousetheconcertinapackingmethodexactlyasshownsothatallofthecellsrestalongsideeachotherandthe
plasticreinforcementsarenotunnecessarilybent.UsinganOzoneSaucisseorSaucisselightpackwillhelppreservethelifeofthewing
andaidwiththespeedandeaseofpacking.