Big ears and spiral dive
Whilst it is possible to enter a spiral dive whilst holding in Big Ears, the high
forces applied to the lower lines could exceed the breaking strain of the
lines leading to equipment failure!
Ozone strongly recommend to NOT use this manoeuvre!
Wingovers
The limit is tightly banked S-turns, commonly known as wingovers. These
must not exceed 90 degrees of bank.
WARNING: Uncoordinated wingovers can lead to large
asymmetric collapses and cravats, therefore they should
never be executed near the ground.
B-Line Stall
B-stall is for fast descents in emergency situations only. It is faster and safer
to lose altitude with a spiral dive than a B-stall.
To initiate the B-stall, keep the brakes in your hand and take hold of both
the B risers, or place your ngers between the lines above the maillons. As
you pull the B-lines down the airow over the wing is broken and the glider
loses its forward speed but remains open with a reduced cord. You can
descend at around 6 m/s.
If you pull too much B-line the glider may horseshoe and move around a lot.
If this occurs, slowly release the B lines until the wing stabilises or simply
exit the B line stall. Do not hold a B line stall that is not stable.
To exit the B-stall the B-risers should be released symmetrically and in one
smooth, progressive motion. The glider will resume normal forward ight
without further input. Check you have forward ight again before using the
brakes.
I
MPORTANT: The pitching movement on exiting the B stall is
small but necessary. We recommend you do not brake the
glider until you are sure that the glider is ying properly
again.
Ozone would like to remind you that these manoeuvres should be learnt
under the supervision of a qualied instructor and always used with caution.
Never forget that properly analysing the conditions before launch will help
avoid the need to use these techniques.
Big Ears
Folding in the wingtips increases the wing’s sink rate. This is useful for stay-
ing out of cloud or descending quickly. To pull big ears, keep hold of your
brake handles and take the outermost A-line on each side, then pull down
(preferably one at a time) until the tips of the wing fold under. The Outer A
line is attached to the Baby A riser, making identication and use of the big
ear system easier.
Do not use the brakes other than for re-ination. For directional control
while using the Big Ears, you should use weight shift.
To reopen your big ears, release both A lines at the same time. To help
reination, brake gently one side at a time until tips regain pressure. Avoid
deep symmetric applications of the brake as this could induce parachutal or
full stalls.
IMPORTANT: You can land with the ears (you should release
the ears before nal are). Ozone do not advise you to do
this when it’s turbulent or windy due to the risk of a possi-
ble stall and lack of precision in steering.
Big ears and accelerator
Once the big ears are in you can further increase the sink rate by pushing
on the accelerator bar.
NEVER try to pull the Big Ears in with the speed bar on. This
can lead to a major asymmetric deation. Always make the
Big Ears rst and then apply the speed bar.
• Lean forward out of your harness before the actual landing (especially if
it’s turbulent), with your weight leaning forward against the chest strap,
and make sure your legs are ready for the landing and a possible PLF
(parachute landing fall).
• Allow the glider to y at hands up (trim) speed for your nal descent until
you are around 1 metre above the ground (in windy or turbulent condi
-
tions you must y the glider actively all the way). Apply the brakes slowly
and progressively to slow the glider down until groundspeed has been
reduced to a minimum and you are able to step onto the ground.
• In light winds/zero wind you need a strong, long and progressive are
to bleed off all your excess ground speed. In strong winds your forward
speed is already low so you are aring only to soften the landing. A
strong are may result in the glider climbing upwards and backwards
quickly, leaving you in a vulnerable position.
• If the glider does begin to climb, ease off the brakes (10-20cm) - do not
put your hands up all the way - then are again, but more gently this
time. Keep the brakes at mid speed, stand up, be ready to run and make
sure you brake fully as you arrive on the ground.
• Choose the appropriate approach style in function of the landing area
and the conditions.
• In strong winds you need to turn towards the glider the second your feet
touch the ground. Once facing the wing pull smoothly and symmetrically
down on the brakes to stall the wing. If the glider pulls you, run toward it.
• If the wind is very strong, and you feel you might be dragged, or lifted
again, stall the glider with the C risers. This stalls the wing in a very quick
and controllable way and will drag you less than if you use the brakes.
• Always land heading into wind!
Spiral Dives
If you turn your glider in a series of tightening 360’s it will enter a spiral dive.
This will result in rapid height loss. To initiate a spiral, look and lean in to the
direction you want to go, then smoothly pull down on the inside brake. The
Zero will rst turn almost 360 degrees before it drops into the spiral. Once
in the spiral you should re-centre your weightshift and apply a little outside
brake to keep the outer wing tip pressured and inated.
Safe descent rates of 8m/s (1600 ft/min approx.) are possible in a spiral
dive, but at these rates the associated high speeds and G-forces can be
disorientating, so pay particular attention to your altitude.
To exit the spiral dive, ensure your weight shift is in a centred position and
then smoothly release the inside brake. As the Zero decelerates allow it
to continue to turn until enough energy is lost for it to return to level ight
without an excessive climb and surge.
You should always be prepared to pilot the wing out of a spiral dive. To do
so, smoothly use opposite weight shift and apply enough outside brake
to stop the wing from spiralling, the glider will then start to resume normal
ight. Never attempt to recover from a spiral with hard or quick opposite
inputs as this will result in an aggressive climb and surge.
IMPORTANT: Spiral dives with sink rates over 8 m/s are
possible, but should be avoided. They are dangerous and
put unnecessary strain on the glider. Spiral dives cause
disorientation and need time and height to recover. Do not
perform this manoeuvre near the ground.
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