Dangerous situations and extreme flying
Section 7
29
the opposite side. Make use of the full
braking distance.
Following a very large collapse of more than
70%, the wing-tip of the collapsed side may
become trapped in the glider lines. Here too
counter-braking and weight-shifting must be
used to stop the glider from turning away.
The trapped end can generally be opened
by a short, fast pull on the brake lines or by
pulling on the separate stabilo lines.
WARNING
Counter-steering too strongly on the
inflated side of the glider can result in a
stall and to further uncontrolled flight
manoeuvres (cascade of events).
Front stall
A negative angle of attack can also cause
part or all of the leading edge of the glider to
collapse.
Recovery
The Stratus 8 will normally recover quickly
and automatically from a front stall, but re-
inflation can be assisted by light
symmetrical brake input. In the case of
extreme front stalls across the entire wing
chord, the wing tips may move forward
making the glider form a U-shape. Again,
recovery is by light symmetrical braking on
both sides, but care must be taken that both
wing ends return to normal flight evenly.
Types of stall
When a paraglider flies through the air, a
laminar and turbulent boundary layer is
created. Extremely dangerous flight
configurations can result if the laminar
boundary layer is interrupted, with
practically the entire airflow along the top
surface braking away. This happens in
particular when the angle of attack is too
great.
There are three different types of stall in
paragliding.
IMPORTANT
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.
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.
