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Turning
Turning a wing is the combination of inner brake, outer brake and
weight-shift. The key is the correct dose of each element. One of the
features of the SPEEDMAX 2 is its sensitive handling. Small brake
inputs are sufficient to fly precise turns.
In thermals, in addition to the inner brake, we recommend lightly bra-
king on the outside as well – this helps to control bank and speed of
rotation, i.e. you get better feedback from the wing. Additionally this
increases the stability of the wing tip. Tight, controlled turns and
smooth direction changes need practise but should be a skill all pilots
have mastered.
Please note:
if the paraglider is no longer steerable using the brake
lines (for example if they have become tangled) then the wing has
limited steering capacity through the C-risers.
This, in combination with weight-shift, still allows reasonable turn
correction. Using this technique also permits a safe landing. The
C-risers should not be pulled so hard that they cause the wing to stall.
Landing
Landing the SPEEDMAX 2 is very simple.
The engine should be switched off 30 m above the ground. During a
rough landing this prevents the pilot from applying uncontrolled thrust.
If the engine is still running during a landing, this allows the pilot to
abort the approach and regain height. But should an incident occur,
this could be potentially dangerous and costly.
In turbulent conditions it is advisable to make your approach whilst
pulling a little brake in order to increase stability and to increase the
feeling for the wing's movement.
Immediately before touchdown the brakes should be pulled hard –
even to the point of stall. The ideal trimmer setting during the landing
is closed or slightly open.
Rapid descent techniques
To descend rapidly, we recommend using big ears or a spiral dive. Du-
ring these manoeuvres the engine should be idling. Below you will see
an explanation of currently used descent techniques.
Fitting the speed-system
The majority of harnesses are fitted with two pulleys per side. Some
(lightweight) harnesses instead have two simple rings or loops. The
two speed bar cords are pulled from top to bottom through both pul-
leys/rings and fitted to the foot bar.
The correct length adjustment is important. If it is too short, there is
the danger that the wing is constantly accelerated, which should be
avoided at all costs. If the cords are too short there is the risk that the
speed-bar is unreachable.
If the cords are set too long, it is not possible to accelerate the wing to
its maximum speed.
We recommend setting the cords a little too long when first fitting the
speed-system, so that the free play can be judged during flight. Then
the slack can be taken up if necessary. Brummel hooks
1
with three ho-
les assist with the simple adjustment of the cord length.
Flying with the speed-sytem engaged
Before take off or on connecting the risers to the harness, the Brum-
mel hooks on the speed-system must to attached to those on the
harness. Please make it part of your pre-flight routine to connect the
speed-system – it is important for your safety.
The SPEEDMAX 2 is fitted with a very effective and smooth-running
speed-system. Up to the maximum speed, the glide performance
remains very high. Pitch correction, i.e. active flying, in accelerated
flight should not be performed through the brakes, but using the speed-
system. Therefore if the wing pitches forward, the pilot should not
brake, but reduce the acceleration.
In accelerated flight, steering should be performed either by weight-
shift or through asymmetrical speed bar use (by increasing the accele-
ration on the left side, the wing will turn right).
Speed-system geometrical data
If the entire speed range is utilised, the A-risers will be 14.5 cm
shorter in comparison to the C-risers.
!
Please note: a full
stall – if initiated too
early – can lead to
heavy landings
or even serious
accidents. Therefore
the brakes should
only be pulled fully
immediately before
touching the ground
(<0.5 meters).
1
These are connection links made from aluminium, which are joined together through
slots.
Please note: using
the brakes during
accelerated flight is
not only detrimental
to performance,
but (in comparison
to non-accelerated
flight) it increases
to likelihood of
collapses!
!
Summary of Contents for SPEEDMAX 2
Page 1: ...Manual _DE _EN...
