Axis Paragliders
Metod
ě
jova 5, 612 00 Brno-Královo Pole, Czech Republic
+420 601 526 674
8
Maximum useable speed is one of the
strong points of Axis paragliders and the
Comet 3 is no exception. However, in
spite of this exceptional stability, any
collapse at full speed will be more
severe than the same event experienced
at trim speed. Always keep both hands
on the controls when flying fast and be
ready to release the speed system
immediately at the first sign of a
collapse. Use the speed system carefully
when flying close to the ground or the
terrain.
Glider is not equipped with trim risers.
Landing
On your first flights you may be
surprised at how well the Comet 3
glides. Take account of this when
making your landing approach and give
yourself the opportunity for S-turns or a
longer approach than you might be used
to.
For a normal, into-wind landing evenly
pull the brakes all the way down when
you are about one metre from the
ground. Under nil-wind conditions, or if
you are forced to make an emergency
downwind landing, a wrap on each
brake will allow you to make a stronger
flare.
B. Losing altitude
Most pilots will, at some time, want to
lose height. This may be because of a
change in the weather, you are at cloud-
base and don’t want to go any higher, or
simply because you want to finish your
flight quickly.
Ideally, the best way to lose height is to
find an area of sink and stay in it. This
way you can fly normally to the ground.
However, if there is no sink, or if you are
in strong lift and want to go down, a
rapid descent method may be needed.
There are three main rapid descent
methods:
•
Big ears
•
B-line stall
•
Spiral dive
Each of these descent methods places
extra, different stresses on gliders and
should be avoided if you want to extend
the life of the glider.
It is important these manoeuvres are
initially practiced under qualified
supervision and preferably during a
safety training course.
Big ears
This is the easiest and safest technique
for descent while maintaining forward
speed. Depending on how much of the
wing-tip you deflate, 3m/s to 6m/s sink
rate can be achieved. While in big ears
your forward speed can be increased by
using the speed system.
The Comet 3 can be steered with big
ears in by weight-shift alone.
Initiation
:
Reach up as high as possible
and take hold of the outer A-line on each
side of the glider. Pull one in first,
maintain direction, and then pull in the
second. Hold them in firmly. Make sure
the lines are pulled down equally on
each side and your big ears are even.
