Pilot’s manual BiGolden2 Version no. 1, from 27.4.2009
5.1.4 Landing
Landing with BiGolden2 is very simple and without difficulties. On your first flights
you may be surprised at just how well it glides. Take account of this when
making your landing approach! Against a wind, at about 1m above the ground
you may pull down the brakes all the way. Under zero wind conditions, or if
forced to make an emergency landing down wind you may prefer to take a wrap
of each control line so as to enable a more dynamic flare.
5.2. Rapid descent
Every pilot will sooner or later be in a position when he/she has to quickly
decrease his/her altitude. This situation may come about as the result of
a sudden and unexpected change in the weather, Reaching cloudbase and not
wishing to enter the disoreentating cloud, or simply because you need to finish
your flight quickly. Also if the landing approach takes place through thermals, it is
often very difficult to finish your flight without a rapid descent method being
employed. There are three main methods for achieving a rapid descent and
they are: "Big ears", "B-stall" and "Spiral dive".
5.2.1 Big-ears
This is the easiest technique for a rapid descent. Depending on how much of the
wing tip you deflate between 3 to 6 m/s sink rate can be achieved.
- initiation: Take hold of the outer A-lines on both sides as high as possible and
pull them down fluently and hold them firmly. The effective area of the paraglider
is reduced equally on both sides of the wing. The size of the deflated area
depends on how deeply the lines are pulled down. Be sure to pull both sides
equally.
- recovery: Under normal circumstances BiGolden2 opens automatically when
the A-lines are released. The opening may be accelerated by gentle repeated
braking symmetrically on both sides (slightly "pumping" the breaks).
5.2.2 B-line stall
B-line stall can be use on BiGolden2. This flight technique is a very effective
way of making a rapid descent, but on account of compactness of canopy and
small lengths of risers, is it not very simple. Depending on how much the B-risers
are pulled down, the sink rate is between 6 and 10 m/s.
- initiation: Take hold of the B-risers at the top and smoothly pull them down
until the canopy shows a spanwise crease where the the B-lines attach to the
sail. Your sink rate will increase considerably while your forward speed will
decrease to practically zero. Don't be startled when the air flow over the top
