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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. 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 for-
ward 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.
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 Element 2 will first 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 inflated.
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 centered posi-
tion and then slowly release the inside brake. As the Element 2 decel-
erates 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 Element 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, 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 ag-
gressive 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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