Niviuk HOOK 3, User Manual

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3.3 FLIGHT PLAN
Draw out a flight plan before take-off in order to avoid possible flight errors.
3.4 PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST
Once you are ready, but before you take-off, carry out another
equipment inspection. Ensure correct installation of all equipment and
that all lines are free of hindrances or knots. Check that the weather
conditions are suited for your flying skills.
3.5 WING INFLATION, CONTROL, AND TAKE-OFF
Smoothly and progressively inflate the wing (chapter 2.6 INSPECTION
AND WING INFLATION ON THE GROUND). The HOOK 3 inflates easily
and does not require excessive energy. It does not tend to over-take you,
so the wing inflation phase is carried out without anguish. These take off
characteristics provide a perfect control phase and enough time for the
pilot to decide whether to accelerate and take off.
Whenever the wind speed allows it, we recommend a reverse launch
technique; this type of launch allows you to carry out a better visual check
of the wing. The HOOK 3 is especially easy to control in this position in
strong winds. However, wind speeds up to 25 to 30 km/h are considered
strong and extra consideration should be given to any thought of flight.
Preparation and positioning of the wing on the take off is especially
important. Choose a location which is appropriate for the direction of the
wind. Position the paraglider as if it were part of a large circle, taking into
account the shape of the canopy in flight. All this will assist in a trouble
free take-off.
3.6 LANDING
The HOOK 3 lands excellently, it transforms the wing speed into lift on the
pilot’s demand, allowing an enormous margin of error. You will not have to
wrap the brake lines around your hand to get greater braking efficiency.
4. IN FLIGHT
4.1 FLYING IN TURBULENCE
The HOOK 3 complies with an excellent homologation to face this type
of situation with the best safety guarantee. This wing is stable in all types
of weather conditions. It reacts admirably in passive flight, thus offering
a high level of safety in turbulent conditions. Nonetheless, all paragliders
always have to be piloted according to the prevailing weather conditions;
the pilot is the ultimate safety factor.
We recommend that the pilot adopts a proactive attitude when flying,
making the necessary fine adjustments to keep the wing in control. He/
she should stop braking to allow it to fly at the required wing speed after
a correction is made. Do not maintain any correction for longer than
necessary (braked) this would cause the wing to enter into critical flying
situation. Whenever necessary, control a situation, react to it and then re-
establish the required speed.
4.2 POSSIBLE CONFIGURATIONS
We recommend that training to master these manoeuvres be carried out
under the supervision of a competent school.
Asymmetric collapse
In spite of the great stability of the profile of the HOOK 3, heavy turbulent
conditions may cause part of the wing to collapse asymmetrically. This
usually happens when the pilot has not foreseen this possible reaction