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How to avoid collapses
Single side collapses close to the ground are the number one reason for accidents with paragliders. To
avoid them, or how to handle the situation when it happened, some tips and tricks from U-Turn test-
and competition pilot Ernst Strobl:
The best way to avoid collapses upfront is the right choice of the paraglider. A lot of pilots fl y a glider
that is a little too hot to handle for them. So why don`t you get a glider with a lower rating but in the end
fl y better and higher in the updrafts and have a lot more fun and by the way be safer, too. To optimize
the feeling for your glider on the ground, try the following:
Practise on the ground with the right wind at a suitable location. Slowly pull up the canopy and try to
hold it up as long as possible without looking towards it. That is a good way to improve the feeling for
your glider and is a prerequisite for „active fl ying“ (the key to avoid collapses). Very important is also
a close look at the terrain. Watch for obstacles that could cause turbulences ( buildings, trees, ...). On
certain days, for example a freshly mowed madow as landing fi eld, could cause a lot of thermal activity.
Fly very alert on a thermal active day. Watch your canopy, collapses most of the time, announce
themself. Light braking in turbulences mostly avoids a collapse. You should have already practised that
on the ground. Should a collapse occur close to the ground don´t always try to prevent a turn away.
There is a danger when the braking on the open side is to strong, to lose the airfl ow on this side and stall
the glider. Rather use the turn away motion to try to open the collapsed side.
Apply smooth braking on the open side, depending on the size of the collapse, and maybe a little pump-
ing action. Some canopies open a lot better when the brakes are fully applied once on the according
side, but that depends on the brakeline adjustment and your armlength. Wrapped lines are cleared by
braking the opposite side at enough altitude and pumping the aff ected side a couple of times. Watch
out for a possible stall. If that does not clear the situation, try to pull down the outer line as much as
possible. If you are too low for that, stabilize the canopy on the opposite side to avoid turning away,
and leave the lines like they are. Instead of any -risky manoeuvers rather concentrate on the landing. In
the end one more advice in order to have all kinds of situations under control.
Visit a safety-training above water. There is no better way to practice the right behaviour than
simulating a dangerous situation. Don’t get caught off guard by your fi rst collapse. In addition, during
safety-training you can familiarize yourself with the particulars of your equipment and you gain confi -
dence in your glider as well as your own abilities.
Thus far the expert advise concerning collapses, by Ernst Strobl
Collapses
Even with its high stability and very responds well in turbulence, strong turbulences can cause the
ALPINE PEAK 2 to collapse. That situation is not really dangerous and clears itself automatically, with-
out any further input required. To support the recovery, fi rmly apply brakes on the aff ected side and
simultaneously steer opposite on the open side. When a large part of the canopy is collapsed be careful
and smooth when applying opposite steering to avoid a complete disruption of airfl ow and entering a
fullstall.
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