Take-Off, Flight And Flying Techniques; Pre-Flight Checks; Rapid Descent Techniques - SKY PARAGLIDERS EXOS Manuel Utilisateur

TakE-OFF, FLIGhT aND FLyING
TEChNIquES
In general EXOS 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
Light wind
Lay the paraglider out with the leading edge in a horseshoe shape. Hold
the A risers close to the quick links and move forward until the lines get
stretched. You should now be perfectly centred with your wing. With no
wind or light headwind, with lines stretched EXOS inflates rapidly and rises
over your head with some dynamic steps. We recommend that you do
not pull the risers too far forward or down, which could cause a collapse
of the leading edge, but simply follow them until your glider reaches its
angle of flight. It is important that the centre of gravity of your body stays in
front of your feet during the rise of the glider to constantly load the risers.
A controlled inflation allows you to check the wing and lines during the
last phase as it comes up and thus avoid the need to use lots of brake
input. Depending on the wind conditions and the steepness of slope, an
adequate use of brakes can help you to take-off more quickly.
Stronger wind
Pass the risers over your head and turn to face the wing and use a little
of the wind to organise the wing, making sure to keep hold of the brakes
to stay in control. From here the reverse launch can be performed. Use
the technique that you are familiar with but we recommend performing
the launch with the correct brakes for flight in your hands. EXOS is a fast
wing, so a subtle inflation is recommended so as to avoid pilot induced
overshoot. In stronger winds the inflation can be performed by using only
the central A risers.
Be prepared to move slightly towards the wing as is determined by the
power of the inflation. This helps to depower the wing slightly and offers
more control.
When the wing is under control and above your head, turn to face the
wind and the take-off steps can commence.
3) Landing
Due to the exceptional glide of EXOS, caution is recommended during
approach and landing. EXOS 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
EXOS 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.
EXOS is fitted with C riser control handles. These can be used to:
• control pitch whilst on glide
• pressurise the wing to pre-empt deflations whilst on glide
• make subtle course adjustments when on glide

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
EXOS 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.
Note: The glider is not designed to spiral whilst in big ears mode.
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