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Section 7
Dangerous situations and extreme flying
Deep stall
Paragliders can go into a deep stall for a
variety of reasons: brake lines too short (no
slack), old or damaged glider material which
therefore has increased level of permeability,
altered trim/line length and changes to profile
characteristics caused by moisture (e.g.
flying in rain). Paragliders have a particular
tendency to stall if the wing-loading is too
low.
In a deep stall, the airflow from the front
reduces and the glider goes into a stable
flight attitude without forward momentum.
The paraglider sinks almost vertically at 4-
5m/s and there is noticeably less flight noise.
Recovery
Remain in an upright position and push the
A- and B-risers in the direction you are flying,
so as to shorten them by 5-10cm.
If you have a speed system, you can also
use it to accelerate, so that the glider goes
into a normal flying position from the deep
stall.
After you have landed, the glider and the
length of the lines must be checked.
Full stall
The full stall happens when the wing partially
deflates and loses its arched shape. It is
triggered when the maximum possible angle
of attack is exceeded. The most common
cause is going below the minimum speed or
flying near the minimum speed combined
with the effects of turbulence.
In full stall, the paraglider loses its forwards
travel, surges backwards and deflates . If the
brakes are held down, the canopy comes up
over the pilot again. The result is an almost
vertical descent with a sink rate of approx.
8m/s.
Recovery
Fully release the brakes within 3 seconds
(count 21, 22, 23). If the brakes are released
too slowly, the paraglider may spin. The spin
stops automatically when the brakes are
released completely.
Spin
The spin is a stable flight attitude, in which
one side of the canopy stalls, while the other
side continues to fly forward. The glider turns
around the stalled side of the wing.
Recovery
To recover from the spin, the pilot must
quickly release the brakes . The stalled side
of the wing will then speed up again.
Depending on recovery and the dynamic of
the circular motion, one side of the canopy
may shoot forwards and suffer an
asymmetric collapse. If the pilot suspects
that the glider has unintentionally been put
into a spin, the brake which has been pulled
down too far must be released immediately.
WARNING
Full stall and spin are manoeuvres which
can be fatal if recovery is not correct.
These manoeuvres should therefore be
avoided. However, it is important to learn
how to recognise the indications that a
glider is about to stall so that you can take
immediate action to prevent it.
WARNING
If the canopy has gone back during the
full stall, the brakes must be held down,
otherwise the canopy may surge forward
and, in an extreme case, end up
underneath the pilot. Hold the brakes
down until the canopy is above you again.
