Advance acoustic SIGMA8, User Manual

Page: 21 / 40

21
Spiral dive
For the most comfortable way of doing this we recommend a neutral
sitting position without active weight shift, and a shoulder-width cara-
biner distance (approx 45 cm).
Enter the spiral by progressively pulling one brake. Your head and
field of view should be directed in the turn direction. As the angle of
bank increases so will the rate of turn and centrifugal force.
The behaviour of the spiralling paraglider can be separated into two
phases: in the beginning the glider begins with a normal turn which
progressively tightens, with increasing angle of bank. In the sec-
ond phase the paraglider engages its spiral mode. This means that
the wing dives forward with an increase of acceleration. During this
phase of the manoeuvre try to keep a neutral sitting position and give
way to the centrifugal force – your body will be pushed to the outside.
Recovery from the manoeuvre is achieved by progressively releasing
the inside brake. The body weight should be slightly displaced to the
outside of the turn. While coming out of a spiral dive with high verti-
cal and rotational speeds it is essential to release the brake careful-
ly, and/or reapply a little inside brake if necessary, so that you can
prevent the wing pitching back excessively, and then diving in front.
Make sure that you start the recovery with plenty of height remain-
ing above the ground. Generally speaking you should allow the same
amount of time to recover as it took to enter the manoeuvre, but re-
member that the sink rate will be higher.
Caution: The SIGMA 8 only comes out of a spiral dive by itself
if the pilot is in a neutral sitting position. From a steep spiral
with a high sink rate – more than 14 m/s – recovery requires
active outside brake with weight shift to the outside at the
same time.
Caution: Weight shifting to the inside of the turn results in in-
creased acceleration and stable continued rotation. In this
case, active counter-braking with simultaneous weight trans-
fer to the outside of the turn is required to end the manoeuvre
(push your body outwards).
Caution: The SIGMA 8 is approved for harnesses in group
GH (without rigid cross-bracing). Harnesses in group GX
(with cross-bracing) or those with very low suspension points
(carabiners) may drastically change the flying characteristics
in a spiral. See the section «Suitable harnesses».