Ozone Geo II Manuel page 10

ADVANCED FLIGHT TECHNIQUES
Rapid Descent Techniques
Ozone would like to remind you that these manoeuvres should be learnt under the
supervision of a qualified 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 of the Geo 2 increases its sink rate. This is useful for staying
out of cloud or descending quickly. To pull big ears on the Geo 2, keep holding your
brake handles and take the outermost A-line (Baby A) on each side, then pull it down
until the tips of the wing fold under.
Do not use the brakes other than for re-inflation. For directional control while using the
Big Ears, you should use weight shift steering.
To reopen your big ears, release both baby As at the same time. To help reinflation,
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
final flare). Ozone do not advise you to do this when it's turbulent or windy due
to the risk of a possible 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 deflation.
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 do not recommend the use of this manoeuvre!
Wingovers
The Ozone Geo 2 is not designed for aerobatic flying. 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
therefore should never be executed near the ground.
B-Line Stall
B-stall is for fast descents in emergency situations only. B-stall is performed by
symmetrically pulling down on the B-risers.
To initiate the B-stall place your fingers between the lines above the maillons on the B
risers. Do not release the brake handles. As you pull the B-lines down the airflow over
the wing is broken and the glider loses its forward speed but remains open and you
will descend at around 6 m/s.
If you pull too much B-line the glider will horseshoe and move around a lot.
To exit the B-stall the B-risers should be released symmetrically and in one smooth,
progressive motion. The glider will resume normal forward flight without further input.
Check you have forward flight again before using the brakes.
IMPORTANT : 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 flying again.
The load applied on the B lines during this manoeuvre is not very good for your
glider, only use it in emergency situations.
Spiral Dives
If you turn your Geo 2 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 Geo 2 will first turn almost 360
degrees before it drops into the spiral. Once in the spiral you must apply a little outside
brake to keep the outer wing tip pressured and inflated.
Safe descent rates of 8m/s (500 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, return your weight shift to a central position and then slowly
release the inside brake. As the Geo 2 decelerates allow it to continue to turn until
enough energy is lost for it to return to level flight without an excessive climb and
surge. The Geo 2 shows no tendency to remain locked in a spiral dive; however some
parameters could interfere with its behaviour. These might include: wrong settings of
the chest strap (too wide); total weight in flight outside of the certified weight range,
or being in a very deep spiral at a very high sink rate. You should always be prepared
to pilot the wing out of such a spiral dive. To do so smoothly use opposite weight shift
and apply a small amount of outside brake and the glider will start to resume normal
flight. 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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