Triple Seven ROOK 2, User Manual

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Fast descent techniques should be well familiar to any pilot as they
are important resources to be used in certain situations. These
manoeuvres should be learned at your flying school as a part of
paragliding pilot training. Nevertheless, we recommend practicing
these manoeuvres on SIV courses under professional supervision.
Big ears
This is a safe method to moderately loose altitude while still
maintaining forward speed. To do big ears, release any brake line
loops around your wrist, set your leg on the speed bar, but do not
push it. Now pull the outer A lines (the A2 risers in the drawing)
on both sides. As long as you keep the A2 risers pulled, the wing
tips stay folded and the sink speed increases. To regain normal
flight, release the A2 risers, and if necessary apply the brakes with
short impulse movements. Release big ears at least 100 meters
above the ground. While using big ears, the wing speed decreases,
which is why we also recommend using the accelerator half way
in combination with big ears to maintain enough horizontal speed
and to also additionally increase vertical speed. Be careful not to
pull the brakes while making the ears! Steering is done by weight
shift only. Always do the big ears first and then accelerate; not
the other way around as you will risk getting a frontal collapse.
B line stall
While in the B-stall the glider has no horizontal speed and the sink
rate increases to about -8m/s. To enter the B-stall reach for the B risers
just below the maillons and pull both B line risers symmetrically for
about 20 cm. To exit the manoeuvre, simultaneously release both risers
quickly. On exit the ROOK2 2gently dives without deep stall tendencies.
Spiral dive
The spiral dive is the most demanding of all three manoeuvres
(Big ears, B-stall, Spiral) and should only be trained gradually and
always at high altitude. The spiral dive should be practiced and
learned on a SIV course under professional supervision.
To enter the spiral, weight shift to the desired side and gradually
apply the brake on the same side. Then let the wing accelerate
for two turns and you will enter the spiral dive. While in the spiral,
you can control your descent rate and bank angle by applying
more or less inner brake. Depending on how steep the spiral is
you may need to use also outer brake.
To exit the spiral dive we recommend that the pilot is in the neutral
weight shift position. If you release the inner brake, the wing exits the
spiral dive by itself. The ROOK2 has no tendency of a stable spiral but
you should be aware of the procedure for exiting a stable spiral.
To exit a stable spiral dive, weight shift to the opposite side of
the turn and apply the outer brake until feeling the deceleration of
the wing rotation. Then release the outer brake and let the glider
decelerate for the next couple of turns. To avoid a big pendulum
movement after exiting the spiral, apply a short brake input on
the inner side before the glider exits the spiral.
Warnings (Spiral dive):
• There is a possibility of losing consciousness while in the
spiral dive. Never make a spiral with more than 16-18m/s
sinking speed.
• In fast spirals it may be necessary to apply the outer brake to
begin exiting the spiral dive.
• If practicing the spiral dive low, a pilot may not have enough
altitude or time to safely exit this manoeuvre.
Winch launch
The ROOK2 is easy to launch using a winch and has no special
characteristics considering this kind of launching. To practice this
launching technique special training is needed and you have to
be aware of the procedures and dangers, which are specific for
winching. We do not recommend using any special towing device
which accelerates the glider during the winch launch.
Aerobatics
The ROOK2 was not designed for aerobatics, therefore, these may not be
performed on this glider. In addition to this, any extreme manoeuvres
place unnecessary stress on the glider and shorten its lifespan.
Primary controls failure
If for any reason you cannot use the brake lines, you have to pilot
the wing to the landing place by using weight shift. Weight shift
should be enough to safely land the glider. You can also use the C
risers to control and steer the wing. Be careful not to over-handle
the glider by using the C riser technique when steering. By pulling
the C risers too strong you can cause a stall or a negative spin.
Land your glider at trim speed without using the C risers, to avoid
over-handling the glider low above ground. We recommend using
weight shift.
Landing
Similarly to the take-off, the ROOK2’s landing characteristics are easy.
In turbulent conditions it is advisable to apply about 15% of the brakes,
to increase stability and the feeling of the glider. Before landing, adopt
the standing position as this is the most effective and the safest way
to compensate the touch down with your legs. Again we recommend
training the landing manoeuvre, as it might be useful to be able to
land in small places, especially in an unknown cross country terrain.
Learn to evaluate the wind direction by observing the signs on the
ground and also your drift while making turns. This proves to be useful
for cross country, when landing outside of your usual landing field.
Another advice we suggest taking into account in stronger winds is
to go higher for the landing fields and thus assuring you reach them.
Likewise, always look for possible alternatives downwind.