9
Collapse of the canopy
Remember this is a glider with unspectacular reactions to disturbances in the air.
Whenever in doubt, let up the brakes and let the glider fly. The glider has a high internal
pressure, resistance to tucking and very high degree of passive safety. It is
recommended that at this stage you already start to practising an active flying style. The
key to active piloting is keeping the glider above your head at all times. We recommend
in principle that you hold the brake handle in your hand whenever possible, or fly with
your hands through the brake handles, to allow you to react immediately to any possible
disturbances.
This form of collapse occurs most frequently, caused by turbulence.
Pull the outermost A-riser slowly down, until the edge of the canopy folds in. The canopy
collapses furthest if you pull both A-risers violently down. This causes up to 70 % of the
leading edge to close up, and results in the canopy going into a spiral towards the
collapsed side. If the harness is too loosely adjusted, in a more extreme collapse you will
fall in the direction of the folded-in side, thus unintentionally magnifying the canopy's
tendency to turn.
Recovery
Basically the
will re-open by itself from closures of up to 70% by turning of 45°.
The time this takes, and the associated loss of height, can however be noticeably
reduced by appropriate action by the pilot. Apply opposite brakes on the un-collapsed
side, the outside of the curve, to stop the turning movement of the canopy. If you react
immediately, 30% brake on the open side should suffice to hold the canopy on a straight
course.
WARNING!!
If you fly with your hands through the brake handles, you may lose valuable
time for activating the rescue system.
WARNING!!
Especially in turbulence, you
must
first stop the canopy turning, before you
pump out the collapsed side. When the canopy is stable again, open it by pulling the
brake lines on the closed side. If it is tangled, pumping the brake line should help.
WARNING!!
Take care to avoid applying too much brake when pumping out the
deflation, as this may disrupt the airflow over the canopy and lead to a stall.
Asymmetrical collapse
Initiation
MUSE II
10
WARNING!!
In the case of a cravat which pumping of the brakes fails to release - apply
50% -70% brake on the open side of the canopy to stop rotation. Then pull the caught line
carefully to release it then pump out the affected side. Take care to avoid applying too
much brake when pumping out the deflation, as this may disrupt the airflow over the
canopy and lead to a stall.
NOTE!!
MUSE II usually opens from frontal tuck by itself. If counter braking, be careful -
do not brake too much. You could cause glider to begin a full stall with following surge
forwards.
Symmetrical collapse - "Big-Ears"
Frontal deflation
Initiation
Whilst maintaining contact with the brakes, grip the outermost A-risers. Work your hands
as high as possible on these A-risers, until you have enough to be able to pull on them
without pulling second A-risers as well. Pull outer A-risers down simultaneously. The
further you pull the A-risers, the greater the area of canopy that will collapse (and the
greater will be the sink rate).
Recovery
As soon as you release outer A-risers, the
opens independently. You can speed
up its opening by light braking. If in extreme cases the lines get tangled, pumping (pulling
repeatedly) the brake lines should help.
If you feel strong turbulence coming, first step off the speedbar. Sometimes you may
have to pull both brakes to avoid a deflation.
Initiation
Hold the brake handles in your hands and grip all A-risers at the level of the maillons.
Now pull down far enough to make the whole leading edge fall in (the further you pull, the
more area folds in).
Recovery
As soon as you release the A-risers, the
opens by itself and the glider will
recover with a small surge. You can speed up this process by light braking. If the A-risers
are held too long, the canopy could fold in the middle with the wing tips going forward.
MUSE II
MUSE II
