Flying the Hybrid Sport
Section 5
27
If there is a strong headwind, we
recommend flying in a slight pendulum flight
path against the wind to increase sink.
However, it is always better to fly rapid
circles or even a spiral dive if there is no
problem with drift.
Spiral dives
The spiral dive is the most effective method
for making a rapid descent, and can allow
sink rates of up to 30 m/s to be reached. It is
suitable where there is a high ascent rate
and little wind.
The Hybrid Sport moves fluidly from rapid
turns into a spiral dive. The Hybrid Sport
does not “bite into” it. Tight turns are usually
sufficient to reduce height effectively. The
Hybrid Sport can remain stable in a spiral
dive when weight-shifting to the inside and
this can be much easier using harnesses
with seat-boards than harnesses without
seat-boards. If this happens, it may be
necessary to brake the outer side of the
wing and/or weight-shifting to the outside to
recover from the spiral.
Starting the manoeuvre
Begin the spiral dive whilst flying at full
speed by flying a turn which becomes
tighter and tighter and by using weight-shift
to the inside (refer here to “Turns” also).
The bank angle and sink rate are controlled
by carefully applying or releasing the inside
brake.
Look down before and during the spiral dive
to maintain a constant check on your
distance from the ground.
Recovery
Recover from the spiral dive slowly and
steadily over several turns. The inside
brakes are gradually released. If the brakes
are released too quickly, the increased
speed can cause the wing to climb, and
then to dive, become unsettled or partly
collapse. Recovery can be assisted by
braking lightly on the outside.
Landing
When landing the Hybrid Sport, you must
whenever possible land from full trim speed.
Avoid using the brakes during the final
approach. Gentle braking improves the glide
performance, if you are still too high, you
are better to fly flat S-turns. Prepare for
landing by making a straight approach flight
WARNING
B-Stall and “big ears” on the Hybrid
Sport are
prohibited!
There is a high risk of twist with these
manoeuvres because the surface area
is very small!
A careful spiral dive is safer and more
effective as a rapid descent method.
(Refer to “Spiral dives”)
WARNING
In the spiral dive, very high turn speeds
can be reached with an increase in
acceleration due to gravity (up to over
6g), so exercise care when attempting
this manoeuvre. Take note of the
following:
•
Do not continue the spiral dive for
too long: it could cause a loss of
consciousness.
•
Always maintain ground clearance
of 150 – 200m.
Pay attention to the considerable loss
of altitude.
