SKY PARAGLIDERS ANTEA L, User Manual

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D. Flying techniques
The Antea is flown conventionally however there are several points listed below which should allow
you to familiarise yourself with your new paraglider more quickly.
1. Checking the paraglider before take off
Check the wing: check it is not torn and that the internal structure (ribbing) is not damaged.
Check the lines: Check they are not damaged or tangled.
Check the quick links: Check that the quick links which link the lines to the risers, are correctly
tightened and undamaged.
Check the risers: Check they are not damaged or twisted. Check the speed system works freely and
that the lines are long enough to ensure that the accelerator system is not permanently on.
Lastly, check that the brake handles are correctly attached and that each brake line runs freely in its
pulley.
2. Take off
Lay your paraglider out with the leading edge in a horseshoe shape. Hold the A risers near the quick
links and move forward until the slack has been taken out of the lines. You should now be perfectly
centred with your wing.
With no, or light, head wind and the lines tensioned, the Antea inflates rapidly. It is important that you
keep the risers correctly oriented to your body, if too far forward or back you are unlikely to have a
clean inflation.
A controlled inflation allows you to check the wing and lines during the last phase as it comes up, and
thus avoids the need to brake. Depending on the wind conditions, or the slope a bit of brake can allow
you to take off more quickly.
3. Landing
Because of the exceptional glide care must be taken during approach and landing. The Antea is an
extremely agile glider and is sensitive to small inputs - over-braking can result in significant responses.
We therefore recommend that you have your first flights at a site you know well, in easy conditions.
With negative steering you will have more time to carry out manoeuvres calmly and therefore you will
reduce pendulum movements of your paraglider.
Reminder: negative steering involves applying your brakes symmetrically by about 30% of your
maximum range to slow the paraglider, then carrying out turns by releasing the outside brake.
Speeding up just prior to landing allows a more effective flare and therefore a more gentle landing.
4. Turning
The Antea was designed to perform well in turns and will centre in thermals even without active
piloting.
Negative steering (see above) on the one hand slows the paraglider in certain phases of flight and, on
the other hand, reduces excessive rolling during turn reversals. It is not only designed to turn (with
approx 30% brake) but also to fly slowly to help to identify areas of lift and to keep the paraglider
flatter to maximise the sink rate in a turn (with 15% brake).