INCIDENTS IN FLIGHT
14
WARNING
Uncoordinated
wingovers can lead
to large asymmetric
collapses and cravats,
therefore they should
never be executed
near the ground.
Deflations
Due to the flexible form of a paraglider, turbulence may cause a portion of the wing suddenly to collapse.
This can be anything from a small 30% (asymmetric) collapse to a complete (symmetric) collapse.
If you have a collapse, the first thing to do is to control your direction. You should fly away from the
ground or obstacles and other pilots. Asymmetric collapses should be controlled by weight shifting
away from the collapse and applying enough brake to control your direction. This action alone will be
enough for a full recovery of the wing most of the time.
Once a glider is deflated it is effectively a smaller wing, so the wing loading and stall speed are higher.
This means the glider will spin or stall with less brake input than normal. In your efforts to stop the glider
turning towards the collapsed side of the wing you must be very careful not to stall the side of the wing
that is still flying. If you are unable to stop the glider turning without exceeding the stall point then allow
the glider to turn whilst you reinflate the collapse.
If you have a deflation which does not spontaneously reinflate, make a long smooth progressive pump
on the deflated side. This pumping action should take about 1-2 seconds per pump. Pumping too short
and fast will not reinflate the wing and pumping too slow might take the glider close to, or beyond, the
stall point.
Symmetrical collapses reinflate without pilot input, however 15 to 20cm of brake applied symmetrically
will speed the process. After a symmetric collapse always consider your airspeed. Make sure the glider
is not in parachutal stall before making any further inputs.
If your Zero 3 collapses in accelerated flight, immediately release the accelerator, return the trimmers to
the slow position and manage the collapse using the same methods described above.
Summary of Contents for Zero 3
Page 1: ...EN Pilots Manual...
Page 30: ......
Page 31: ...1258 Route de Grasse Le Bar sur Loup 06620 France...
