Nova PHILOU, Operator'S Manual

Page: 34 / 44

34
In case it is necessary to turn the NOVA PHILOU in a confined area at
slow speed, it is recommended to steer the decelerated canopy by
loosening the brake at the outside of the turn while applying a little more
brake on the inside of the turn.
For the NOVA PHILOU minimum sink is attained with no brake pressure
applied.
Pulling one brake too hard or too fast can result in the canopy entering a
negative spin.
Spiral dive :
To enter a spiral dive with a NOVA PHILOU the pilot must slowly apply
more and more brake on one side, to initiate an increasingly steeper
turn which eventually results in a spiral dive.
During a spiral dive the angle of bank can be controlled with the brakes -
increasing or reducing the amount of inside brake.
Induce and recover slowly from a spiral dive!
Due to the rapid loss of height encountered during a spiral dive (more
than 20 m/sec) sufficient altitude is essential for this manoeuvre!
Thermaling and soaring :
In turbulent conditions the canopy should be flown with some brake
applied. This improves stability by increasing the angle of attack and
the pressure inside the canopy.
The canopy should not rock back or surge forward but should remain
above the pilot. Thus, the pilot should increase speed by letting the
controls up when entering a thermal ( according to its strength ) and
should brake the canopy on exiting.
When soaring a minimum height of 50 m above ground level is recom-
mended for safety reasons. It is important to comply with the rules of the
air, especially when many pilots share airspace close to a hill where last
minute avoidance manoeuvres are often not possible.
The NOVA PHILOU is a safe, stable paraglider. A pilot employing an
active and anticipatory flying style can extend this safety margin even
further, preventing the canopy tucking in turbulent conditions.