Performance Variable Quick 113, Manual

Page: 13 / 29

Quick.us /
Performance Variable 13
7
Even if you are familiar with ram-air parachutes, including
PV canopies, your new
reserve parachute may handle differently.
In the event of a deployment of your ram-air reserve, check your altitude. If there is
sufficient altitude, prepare your canopy for flight as follows:
¨
First release the brakes by putting your hands through the toggles and pulling
down on both toggles simultaneously and vigorously.
¨
If necessary at this point, the slider may be pumped down by pulling both toggles
down to your waist and holding them there for a few seconds and then raising
them back up. If any cells are closed, this action should open them. You may
have to repeat this two or three times.
¨
Again, perform the above procedures only if there is sufficient altitude. It is bet-
ter to make a smooth flared landing with collapsed end cells than to land while
pumping the toggles to clear them.
¨
Next look for the best landing area you sure you can reach. Keep in mind that
your reserve may not glide as far as your main parachute. Your opening altitude
is probably lower than normal under your reserve. The sooner you select the
landing area the more places you will have to chose from. Immediately turn to-
ward your intended landing area.
¨
If there is enough extra altitude after reaching the landing area, try some practice
flares in the air. Note the control range and how the canopy stalls. It is much
better to flare too little than too much. If you flare too much, you may stall the
canopy and hit the ground unusually hard.
¨
Set up your final approach to landing higher than normal. Avoid turns close to
the ground. Remember—this canopy probably flies very differently than the one
you are used to. It may lose a lot more altitude in a turn than you expect.
¨
Always fly a conservative approach for a first-time landing on any canopy. Try to
land into the wind. However, it is more important not to be turning on landing.
¨
If you do not have enough time under the canopy to get familiar with how it
flares, do not try to flare it. Instead land at half brakes and do a good PLF
(parachute landing fall).
Flight Characteristics