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6.
5.1.4 Landing
Landing the Golden4 is very simple and should offer no difficulty. 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 of each control line to enable a more dynamic flare.
5.2. Rapid 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 where you are 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. The Golden4 can be steered while
Big Ears are in by means of weight shift.
Initiation:
Take hold of the outer A-lines 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 the Golden4 will open automatically when the
A-lines are released. Opening may be accelerated by gently pumping the brakes (repeated
symmetrical braking on both sides).
5.2.2 B-Line Stall
This is a very 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:
Take hold of the B-risers at the top and smoothly pull them down until the canopy
shows a span-wise crease where the B-lines attach to the canopy. Your sink rate will increase
considerably while your forward speed will decrease to practically zero. Don’t be startled
when the airflow over the top surface is disrupted and the paraglider enters a parachutal
stall without moving forward. It will soon stabilise above your head.
Recovery:
On releasing the B-risers the Golden4 automatically returns to normal flight
without staying in deep stall or surging 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. When in a Spiral Dive always stay
aware of your altitude, which decreases very rapidly. The sink rate reached in a Spiral Dive
can be more than 15 m/s. During the manoeuvre the pilot and glider will experience strong
