Dudek VOX-25S, User Manual

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SPIRAL DIVE
To enter a spiral dive with a Dudek VOX the pilot must:
$
At the normal flight speed apply the break (about 30 cm),
$ Add weight shift on the same side.
After the 180° turn, applying more and more brake input will initiate an
increasingly steeper turn which eventually results in a spiral dive.
During a spiral dive increasing or reducing the amount of inside brake can
control the angle of bank. To exit, ease off inside brake slowly. Watch for,
and dampen any surging. Allow sufficient height in the unlikely case that the
glider continues 1 or 2 turns. If the paraglider does not exit from spiral dive,
apply outside break slightly.
Induce and recover slowly from a spiral dive! Due to the rapid loss of height
encountered during a spiral dive (up to the 20 m/sec) sufficient altitude is
essential for this manoeuvre! Spiral dives can also create very high G-
forces, placing high loads on the glider's structure and the pilot.
Be careful not to overload it and yourself.
NEVER DO BIG EARS IN SPIRALS, AS THIS MAY DRASTICALLY
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LINES TAKING THE ALREADY HIGH LOADS,
POSSIBLY CAUSING STRUCTURAL FAILURE.
THERMALING AND SOARING
In turbulent conditions the canopy should be flown with a small amount of
brake applied. This improves stability by increasing the angle of attack of the
canopy. The canopy should not rock back or surge forwards but should
remain above the pilot.
Thus, the pilot should increase speed by letting the controls up when
entering a thermal (according to its strength) and should brake the canopy
on exiting. This is part of basic active flying.
When soaring a minimum height of 50 m above ground level is
recommended for safety reasons. It is important to comply with the rules of
the air, especially when many pilots share airspace close to a hill where last
minute avoidance manoeuvres are often not possible.
With an active flight style, many potential collapses of the canopy can be
avoided.
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