7 Pilot’s manual for Go
Revision 0, 22.7.2019
5.1.4. Landing
Landing with Go is very simple and shouldn’t cause any problem. On your first flights you may be
surprised at how well it glides. Take account of this when making your landing approach! Into wind, at
about one metre above the ground pull the brakes down all the way. In nil-wind conditions, or if forced
to make an emergency landing downwind, you may prefer to take a wrap around each control line to
enable a more dynamic flare.
5.2. Fast descent
Sooner or later every pilot will need to descend quickly. It might be because of a sudden and
unexpected change in the weather, reaching cloud base and not wishing to enter cloud, or simply
because you need to finish your flight quickly. Additionally, if landing is thermic, it is often very difficult
to land without using a rapid-descent method. There are three main methods for achieving a rapid
descent and they are: Big Ears, B-Line Stall and Spiral Dive.
Practise these manoeuvres under the supervision of an instructor and with a reserve parachute. Never
compromise your safety.
5.2.1. Big Ears
This is the easiest technique for a rapid descent. Depending on how much of the wing tip you deflate,
3 m/s to 6 m/s sink rate can be achieved.
While in Big Ears your sink rate and forward speed can be further increased by using the speed system.
Go can be steered while Big Ears are in by means of weight shift.
Initiation: Grab the outer A-lines or outer split A-risers on both sides as high as possible and pull them
down smoothly. Hold them firmly. The effective area of the glider is reduced equally on both sides of
the wing. The size of the deflated area depends on how deeply the lines are pulled down (or on the
number of lines pulled – one or two outer lines on both sides). Be sure to pull both sides equally.
Recovery: Under normal circumstances Go will open automatically when the A-lines are released.
Opening may be accelerated by gently pumping the brakes (repeated symmetrical braking on both
sides).
CAUTION: The bigger sink rate of the glider increases the angle of attack. By pushing the speed bar, this
effect is compensated.
5.2.2. B-Line Stall
This is an effective rapid descent technique. Depending on how far the B-risers are pulled down, the
sink rate is between 5 m/s and 8 m/s.
Initiation: Grab the B-risers at the top and smoothly pull them down until the canopy shows a spanwise
crease where the B-lines attach to the sail. Your sink rate will increase considerably while your forward
speed will decrease practically to zero. Don't be startled when the airflow over the top surface is
interrupted and the glider enters a parachutal stall without moving forward. It will soon stabilise above
your head. Stability of the canopy in this manoeuvre can be significantly improved when pulling the
B-risers simultaneously down and outward.
Recovery: On releasing the B-risers Go automatically returns to normal flight without staying in deep
stall or shooting in front of the pilot. Let go of the risers smoothly and symmetrically.
CAUTION: Do everything symmetrically and at the same time. If the B-risers are released unevenly the
canopy can enter a turn. If the risers are released slowly and very unevenly you could enter a spin.
5.2.3. Spiral Dive
The Spiral Dive is the most effective way of making a fast descent. Every pilot should be able to perform
a spiral dive and one day you may need to. In a Spiral Dive always stay aware of your altitude, which
