MAC PARA ARAVIS Series, User Manual

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Steering - turning
The Aravis is a responsive paraglider and reacts directly and instantly to any steering input.
The Aravis performs best in turns when it is flown with sufficient speed and weight-shifting.
Enter a turn with good airspeed, weight-shift and then apply the brake. Once established in
the turn, regulate your speed and turn radius with weight-shift and the outer brake. Make
your first turns gradual and progressive. Too much braking increases the sink rate. Any
weight-shift has a greater effect the more loosely the chest-strap is fastened.
If the brakes are applied more, the bank attitude increases and the glider will fly a fast turn
increasing in steepness, which will eventually become a spiral dive.
Active Flying
The Aravis has good pitch stability. Nonetheless, in turbulence or during manoeuvres, the
glider may pitch. If the glider pitches in front of you, apply brake to slow it down. If the
glider drops behind you, ease off the brakes to allow it to speed up. The objective is to
reduce the pendulum effect by adjusting the angle of attack and speed of your glider so
that glider and pilot are travelling at the same speed. When the conditions are turbulent, be
more active and anticipate the movements of the wing. Practice active flying to eliminate
collapses in all conditions. Try to keep tension on the brakes approximately equal to the
weight of your arms. This allows you to stay relaxed and sensitively feel the internal
pressure in the wing through the brakes. If you feel a loss of pressure in one or both sides
of the wing, quickly apply the appropriate brake(s) to regain pressure. Release the brake
promptly as soon as normal pressure is resumed. If you miss the above timing and get a
collapse, be sure to first raise your hands and release the brakes before considering any
other corrective actions.
Rapid descent techniques
Many flying situations call for a very rapid descent to avoid a dangerous situation, e.g. the
escape from a cumulus cloud or approaching rain. All rapid descent methods should be
practised in calm conditions and at sufficient altitude so that a pilot is then able to employ
them effectively if extreme conditions arise.
Spiral dives and “Big ears
“ are generally the most common methods of descent for
paragliders. Spiral dives attain higher descent rates, but the g-forces can be significant and
the manoeuvre is more physically demanding. Big ears
can achieve a moderate rate of
descent with the advantage of forward speed and manoeuvrability. Always try to avoid the
need to use these descent techniques. Thoroughly check the conditions before launch, and
pay close attention to how the day develops.
Spiral dive
The spiral dive is the most effective method for making a rapid descent, and can allow sink
rates of up to 20 m/s to be reached. It is suitable where there is a high ascent rate and little
wind.
The Aravis fulfils the EN spiral dive requirements and has no tendency to remain in a
stable spiral dive under normal conditions. Note! The certification test flights are carried out
with a defined carabiner distance. Deviations from this defined setting, unapproved
harnesses or