Niviuk HOOK 3, User Manual

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If you have taken off with a knot you will have to correct the drift by
leaning on the opposite side of the knot and apply the brake line on
that side too. You can gently pull on the brake line to see if the knot
becomes unfastened or try to identify the line with the knot in it. The
identified line can then be pulled to see if the knot undoes. Be very
careful when trying to remove a knot. When there are knots in the
lines or when they are tangled, do not pull too hard on the brake lines
because there is a greater risk of the wing to stalling or negative turn
being initiated
Before trying to remove a knot, make sure there are no pilots flying
nearby and never try these manoeuvres near the mountainside. If the
knot is too tight and you cannot remove it, carefully and safely fly to the
nearest landing place.
5. LOSING HEIGHT
The knowledge of the different descent techniques is an important
resource to use in certain situations. The most adequate descent method
will depend on the particular situation.
We recommend that you learn to use these manoeuvres under the tuition
of a competent school.
5.1 EARS
Big ears are a moderate descent method, reaching –3 or –4 m/s, speed
reduces slightly between 3 and 5 km/h and piloting becomes limited.
The angle of incidence and the surface wing load also increases. Push
on the accelerator to restore the wing’s horizontal speed and the angle
of incidence.
To activate big ears take the outer most line on each a risers (2a3 in
the line plan) and simultaneously, smoothly pull them outward and
downward. The wingtips will fold in. Let go of the lines and the big ears
re-inflate automatically. If they do not re-inflate, gently pull on one of the
brake lines and then on the opposite one. We recommend that you re-
inflate asymmetrically, not to alter the angle of incidence, more so if you
are flying near the ground or flying in turbulence.
5.2 B-LINE STALL
When you carry out this manoeuvre, the wing stops flying, it loses all
horizontal speed and you are not in control of the paraglider. The air
circulation over the profile is interrupted and the wing enters into a
situation similar to parachuting.
To carry out this manoeuvre you have to take the B-lines at the maillons
height leaving them as base in the hand palm avoiding taking the A&B
together. Pull symmetrically down (approx. 20-30cms) and then hold
this position. The initial phase is quite physical (hard resistance) which
means that you will have to pull strongly until the profile of the wing is
deformed, when this happens the required force will then significantly
reduce. To maintain this manoeuvre you must continue to hold the B
Lines in the pulled down position. The wing will then become deformed,
horizontal speed drops to 0 km/h and vertical speed increases to –6 to
–8 m/s depending on the conditions and how the manoeuvre has been
carried out.
To exit the manoeuvre, simultaneously release both risers, the wing will
then slightly surge forward and then automatically return to normal flight.
It is better to let go of the lines quickly rather than slowly. This is an easy
manoeuvre but you must remember that the wing stops flying, it loses
all horizontal movement and its reactions are very different compared to
normal flight.