X-ALPS3
FRONTSTALL
The glider can be front-stalled with a strong pull on the A-risers or when encountering
sudden down drafts. The leading edge collapses impulsively along its entire length.
Light brake pressure can reduce oscillations around the longitudinal axis and will help to
speed up the opening of the canopy.
The skywalk X-ALPS3 will recover from a front stall by itself. Should the recovery be
delayed by turbulence, you can support it with light braking on both sides. Make sure
that you don’t over brake your glider!
PARACHUTAL STALL
The X-ALPS3 never showed a tendency to parachutal stall in the entire development
phase. Despite this, it is possible to perform a parachutal stall.
Gliders with porous material (UV radiation) are especially susceptible, as are those
that are burdened frequently by winch tow launches. A parachutal stall can also occur
when the glider is flown in rain (soaks up moisture). The glider has no forward speed
and a high sink rate.
The skywalk X-ALPS3 will normally recover from a parachutal stall by itself.
If this doesn’t happen, the pilot can end the stable parachutal stall by pushing forward
on the A-risers at the level of the line shackles or by activating the speed bar with
your feet.
CAUTION
IF YOU APPLY THE BRAKES DURING A PARACHUTAL STALL, THE GLIDER
WILL IMMEDIATELY ENTER A FULL STALL. NEAR THE GROUND, A STABLE
PARACHUTAL STALL SHOULD NOT BE EXITED DUE TO THE RESULTING
OSCILLATIONS. INSTEAD, THE PILOT SHOULD SIT UP IN HIS HARNESS AND
PREPARE FOR A PARACHUTE LANDING FALL.
NEGATIVE SPIN
A paraglider enters a negative spin when one side of the wing is stalled. The canopy
rotates around the vertical axis with the center of rotation located within the wingspan.
The inside wing flies backwards.
There are two causes for the negative spin:
> One brake is pulled too far and too hard (e.g. when entering a spiral dive)
> One brake is pulled too hard when flying slowly (e.g. while thermal flying).
Examples
:
> If the pilot is surprised near a summit with little ground clearance by strong wind
or a thundercloud, neither a B-stall nor a spiral dive can help.
> If the pilot is stuck in very strong lift, it is advisable to exit the lift band with the use
of big ears and to find sinking air in which to lose altitude.
B-LINE STALL
This manoeuvre is not possible with the X-ALPS3. For fast descent use a spiral dive.
7 EXTREME FLIGHT MANEUVERS
ASYMMETRIC COLLAPSE
The X-ALPS3 is an EN/LTF D glider and should be flown by seasoned pilots with experi-
ence in extreme conditions. Your skywalk X-ALPS3 is a very stable glider, but collapses
can still happen in strong turbulence.
The inherent turn toward the collapsed side of the glider can be minimized by braking the
open side. With large collapses, brake the open side carefully to avoid stalling the wing.
If the collapse doesn’t open despite braking and weight shifting on the open side, you can
speed up the opening process by repeatedly pumping the brake on the collapsed side.
CRAVAT/ LINE OVER
This type of disturbance has never occurred during test flights with the skywalk X-ALPS3.
However, it is possible in extremely turbulent air or due to a pilot error that part of the
wing could get tangled in the lines. The pilot should first stabilize the glider by carefully
braking the open side. Without pilot reaction, a cravat can cause a glider to enter a stable
spiral dive!
To clear the cravat, there are several possibilities:
> Pumping the open side
> Pulling on the stabilo-line
> Perform a manual collapse of the affected side
> Fullstall
Should these maneuvers not succeed or if the pilot fells overwhelmed
by the situation, the rescue parachute should be deployed immediately!
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Extreme Flight Maneuvers
Extreme Flight Maneuvers
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