Dudek Snake, User Manual

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Paraglider preparation
Lay out the paraglider downwind of the power unit, with all suspension lines
taut and pointing toward center of the power unit. The risers are to be laid on
the ground. Set the trimmers as completely closed (0) or slightly opened up to
3 cm, depending on your preferences and weight (the scale is marked every 3
cm). In stronger conditions faster settings can be advised. Make sure that you
warm up the engine while standing windward of the wing. Stop the engine
before clipping in the risers.
Now have a quick check if:
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the helmet is on and locked,
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the risers are clipped in the carabiners,
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the trimmers are properly set,
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nothing will get in propeller's way,
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speed system is running without problems,
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steering lines and handles are free and not twisted,
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the engine delivers full power,
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take off area is clear of obstacles and free to use.
When you are sure everything is OK, you can clip in the wing. Move forward,
evenly pulling on the A risers. The canopy has practically no tendency to
overshoot, so it is hard to encounter. Instead the canopy kind of waits for you
to catch up with it.
From now on you should steer the paraglider facing forward, without looking
back over your shoulder (when the wing is low behind you, turning can cause
some lines to get in the propeller). Still, possible fall on your back and
damaging the propeller is dangerous (and costly!) so it should be avoided at
any price, even that of some damaged lines!
During launch, when you feel the strain on both risers to be equal, open up full
power and lean back to counter the engine thrust, so that it can push you
forward rather than towards the ground. The best option is not to use the
brakes, allowing the paraglider to rise as it was laid out. If it starts to swerve
from its course, just pull the opposite riser and run under the centre of the wing
while preserving starting direction. If the wind suddenly drops, give a stronger
pull on the risers.
If the paraglider falls to one side or back too far to be lifted again - kill the
engine, interrupt launch and check the conditions once again.
As the wing rises, the forces grow lighter and it should stabilise above your
head without overshooting. This is the best moment to check if it is inflated OK
and the lines are not tangled, but do so neither stopping nor turning. Once you
feel the forces on the risers decrease, run faster and let go of the risers. See if
there is already any opposition on the brakes and, if necessary, use them to
correct direction or to increase lift at take-off.
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