Fast Descents; Spiral Dive - KRILO free at last Mode D'emploi

FAST DESCENTS

Due to the very low sink rate of the BLUE, problems with "getting down" can occur when the lift is
very strong or when the weather changes unexpectedly. There are three methods of rapidly reduc-
ing altitude in such situations. Caution: These methods of fast descent are emergency manoeuvres
which can expose the structure of the canopy to its strength limits! Therefore, they may only be
used in practicing for emergency situations, or in genuine emergencies.

SPIRAL DIVE

The spiral dive is the most effective form of fast descent: With a little bit of practice you will achieve
a sink rate of 15 m/s and more with your BLUE. It is absolutely necessary that you approach these
values gradually over the first few attempts! Constant pulling on one brake narrows the radius of
the turn and forms a spiral rotation in which high sink rates can be reached. As soon as the BLUE is
in a spiral dive (identified by an obvious increase of sink rate and angle of bank), the outside wing
should always be stabilised with the outside brake and the desired sink rate should be controlled
with great delicacy. In a normal spiral dive both brakes are applied equally with about 35 cm brake
travel. This way, the BLUE will not become nose-heavy, is more stable in the spiral dive and eases
out in a more controlled manner. Caution: When this is initiated too abruptly there is a great risk of
spinning! In this case, release the controls and try again with a slower and more gentle input.
Caution: The BLUE speeds up very quickly when in a spiral dive, reaches values over 15 m/s and
generates at high g-loads. Values above 10 m/s should only be flown in genuine emergencies and
with the appropriate pilot qualifications, since the forces on the material and the pilot could sur-
pass the safety limit! Recover from a spiral dive by gently releasing the brakes and by controlled
counter-braking in order to avoid excessive swinging. As is the case with all modern, low-drag pa-
ragliders, the BLUE may be reluctant to turn out of high speed spiral dives (sink rates of more than
12 m/s). So you need to be aware of the differences between the initial phase (only the brake on
the inside wing is being applied, plus weight shift), the spiral phase (inside brake is being released,
the outside brake is being applied with the weight in the neutral position) and the recovery phase
(gradual release of both brakes, the inside brake may be released a bit faster, weight shift towards
outside wing according to situation). The pilot must always be aware of the high forces involved,
which are essential for controlled, smooth recovery from strong spiral dives. Strong counter-steer-
ing out of full speed turns can lead to very dynamic, highly dangerous swerving movements ("loop-
ing") and this is absolutely prohibited.
 
De En Fr