With big ears pulled the paraglider will fly straight, albeit with increased sink
(max 5 m/s). If you keep the risers in hands, the paraglider can be steered
with weightshifting.
Our new spreader bars are equipped with a locking system (Big Ears
Keeper), able to lock the pulled down line under the red ball placed on the
spreader. This allows to keep the Big Ears down as long you wish, with full
control of the paraglider via regular steering system. In order to use the Big
Ears lock it is enough to place the A’ riser line under the ball from the
outside. Then check carefully if the line is properly placed and will not slide
free by chance.
On releasing A' risers (or unlocking lines from red balls) in dynamic air the
canopy usually reinflates on its own. In case of necessity it can be assisted
by a long pump until the tips get clear.
WARNING! When flying with Big Ears pulled down avoid hard steering,
since the canopy in such configuration has shorter steering paths and
you can stall or spin it much easier than normally.
IMPORTANT!
Use the Ear lock with substantial altitude margin. If you have to reduce
your altitude shortly before landing, keep the ears by hand without
using the blocking ball.
SPIRAL
It is characterized by reaching the highest sink rates. Significant G-forces,
however, make it difficult to sustain a spiral dive for long, as it can place high
loads on the pilot and glider. Never do this manoeuvre in turbulence or at too
high bank angles. You have to watch constantly the situation, in order to
prevent your spiral from turning into a spiral dive (sink rate over 16 m/s).
If the pilot releases inner brake and the wing does not start slowing down, he
should assist this process with the outer brake.
NEVER DO BIG EARS IN A SPIRAL! Tests have proven that loads in
spiral dive can be even higher than those used in certification tests (i.e.
8 G). This can result in structural failure of the glider, as smaller
number of lines is taking these high loads.
B-STALL
To enter a B-stall you have to simultaneously pull both B-risers (yellow)
down by 10 - 20 cm. The wing collapses on its entire span along B-row, the
airflow over the top surface will break and the canopy projected surface will
be significantly reduced. Forward speed will die and you will be descending
almost vertically.
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