minor adjustments of the brakes and weight shifting. This is referred to
„active flying“, and is the mark of a skilled pilot. When the wing moves forward, add brake.
When it moves back, let up on the brake. If it begins to turn without control input, correct with opposite braking
and weight shifting. If the brakes „go light“, it may indicate an impending collapse on that side of the wing. Increase braking on
the light side and compensate with weight shift in the opposite direction to maintain straight flight. The FIDES has extremely high passive
stability. If all else fails, it will generally return to normal flight on its own when the pilot goes „hands-up (raise the brakes to top of their travel), but not
necessarily in the original direction!
2.4.6
Landing
The FIDES lands easily. As with all paragliders, land into the wind. However, landing is a situation requiring care. Flight close to the ground does not leave room to recover from errors, so be
especially careful to avoid making them. Be aware of obstacles in or near the landing zone that can generate turbulence. Make your approach with some brake to minimise speed and sink rate and inc-
rease the stability for the glider. Approximately 15 meters off the ground, slowly allow the brakes to go all of the way up, to increase speed and gain energy for your flare. Begin slowing the glider about 2 me-
ters off the ground. At about 1/2 a meter the brakes should be all of the way down in a „flare“. The glider may gain altitude if flared hard or into a wind. Always hold the flare and if you find yourself rising higher than
expected, be prepared to land hard with a roll (a parachute-landing-fall) but DO NOT RELEASE THE BRAKES FROM FLARE UNTIL YOU ARE ON THE GROUND. A head wind will require a less aggressive flare.
2.5
ADVANCED FLIGHT
These manoeuvres are common in paragliding. Experienced and intelligent pilots on an unfamiliar wing begin these carefully and slowly. New pilots should try them first under the direction of an instructor, high up, over water, equipped with
a reserve parachute and wearing a life jacket and helmet.
2.5.1
Wingover
From trim speed, alternating between left and right turns of 180 degrees will result in a pattern of steep climbing and diving turns by combining the pendular motion of the pilot, and the turning of the wing. This is good practice for coping with
wing motions that can occur when exiting a thermal or encountering turbulence. Some may also find it enjoyable. However, a poorly timed control input or weight shift can result in problems. A collapse can occur if the turn is not timed correctly,
or if adequate pressure is not maintained on the controls. If you feel you are losing control of the FIDES in these manoeuvres, simply let up on both controls and the wing will return to normal flight. A
slight braking of the wing may be required when returning to level flight since the energy built-up in the wingovers can convert to a dive.
2.5.2
Losing Altitude - Big Ears
A deliberate and sometimes rapid loss of altitude may be required when lift is taking a pilot higher than desired, into clouds, above established maximum altitude for the area, or when the flying day is over. Under these
conditions, the pilot will want to increase the descent rate of the glider in a controlled manner to a rate higher that the one at which the surrounding air is rising.
„Big Ears“ is the term given to shutting down the wingtips in a symmetrical pattern to reduce wing area, increase wing loading, and thereby increase the descent rate of the
glider. On the FIDES, this will result in a descent rate of about 3 meters a second. To accomplish „Big Ears“, grasp the front A-riser (the one attached to the
outer most a line) with your knuckles facing you, thumbs down and palms facing forward. Pull down the A-riser by rotating your
hands away from you 180 degrees, so that the thumbs are facing upward and palms toward you.
Summary of Contents for Fides 26
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