MAC PARA Pasha 5, User Manual

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RAPID DESCENTS
Spiral dive:
A spiral dive is the fastest way to lose altitude, however, the very high G-forces make it
difficult to sustain a spiral dive for long and it can place high loads on the pilot and
glider. By tensing ones abdominal muscles and a higher body tension you can to some
extent resist the high G-forces. Don't forget proper breathing! As soon as any, even
slight, light dizziness or impaired vision is noticed the spiral should be exited
immediately.
The Pasha 5 has a very effective spiral dive. This allows rapid descent without stalling.
To enter a spiral dive the pilot should weight-shift on one side while slowly pulling the
brake gradually on the same side as weight-shifting. During a spiral dive the angle of
bank can be controlled by increasing or reducing the amount of inside brake. When
spiral diving the Pasha 5 it is recommended that the outside brake is lightly applied. This
helps stabilize the wing and enables an easier and safer exit from the spiral. To exit,
release the inside brake slowly. The Pasha 5 did not show a tendency to remain in a
stable spiral during testing. At high sink speeds or if the pilot keeps his weight on the
inside, the wing can stay in a continued deep spiral and has to be actively exited. This is
done by weight shifting to the outside and gentler braking of the outside wing.
WARNING!! Nearly all gliders will have a tendency to stay in the spiral if the sink-rate
exceeds around 15-m/s, depending on weight-shifting, wing loading and G-force. In fact
most gliders need a counter-input to end a turn.
Attention! Due to energy retention, the glider will climb a lot after a deep spiral-dive
release. If you apply inner brake and decelerate the glider for two or three turns, big
pendulum effects can be avoided.
WARNING!! Practise spiralling with caution and lower sink-rates to get a feel for the
gliders behaviour. A pilot who is dehydrated or not accustomed to spiralling can lose
consciousness in a steep spiral dive!
Big ears:
When in big-ears, the horizontal speed is higher than the sink rate, unlike a spiral dive
or a B-line stall. This rapid descent technique is used to quickly and horizontally exit a
dangerous area in the desired direction. In order to collapse the outside wing, pull the
outside A-lines.
When the pilot holds the outside A1-risers on both sides and pulls them down, the
Pasha 5 easily tucks the outside wings and enters a stable descent mode. The pilot
keeps hold of the brake handles along with the outside A1-risers in his hands. By
braking on one side and weight-shifting, the canopy remains steerable.
Big-ears substantially reduces the risk of canopy stability problems in turbulent air.
To exit Big-ears release the A1-risers. The canopy does slowly self-recover. If not, or to
quicken the recovery, the pilot can gently apply brakes to the glider.
WARNING! Never do big-ears in spirals, as this may drastically reduce the number of
lines taking the already high loads, causing structural failure.