10
Spiral Dives
If you turn your glider in a series of tightening 360’s it will enter a
spiral dive. This will result in rapid height loss. To initiate a spiral,
look and lean in to the direction you want to go, then smoothly pull
down on the inside brake. The LM5 will first turn almost 360 degrees
before it drops into the spiral. Once in the spiral you should re-centre
your weightshift and apply a little outside brake to keep the outer
wing tip pressured and inflated.
Safe descent rates of 8m/s (1600 ft/min approx.) are possible in
a spiral dive, but at these rates the associated high speeds and
G-forces can be disorientating, so pay particular attention to your
altitude.
To exit the spiral dive, ensure your weight shift is not engaged, use
opposite weight shift if necessary and then release the inside brake.
As the LM5 decelerates allow it to continue to turn until enough en-
ergy is lost for it to return to level flight without an excessive climb
and surge.
In normal conditions the LM5 shows no tendency to remain locked in
a spiral dive; however some parameters may interfere with its behav-
iour. These include: wrong settings of the chest strap, total weight
in flight outside of the certified weight range, or being in a very deep
spiral at a very high sink rate. You should always be prepared to pilot
the wing out of such a spiral dive. To do so, smoothly use opposite
weight shift and apply a small amount of outside brake and the glider
will start to resume normal flight. Never attempt to recover from a
spiral with hard or quick opposite inputs as this will result in an ag-
gressive climb and surge.
IMPORTANT: Always be prepared to pilot yourself out of a
spiral dive using opposite input if necessary.
IMPORTANT: Spiral dives with sink rates over 8 m/s are
possible, but should be avoided. They are dangerous and
put unnecessary strain on the glider. Spiral dives cause
disorientation and need time and height to recover. Do not
perform this manoeuvre near the ground.
Big ears and spiral dive
Whilst it is possible to enter a spiral dive whilst holding in Big Ears,
the high forces applied to the lower lines could exceed the breaking
strain of the lines leading to equipment failure!
Ozone strongly recommend to NOT use this manoeuvre!
Wingovers
The limit is tightly banked S-turns, commonly known as wingovers.
These must not exceed 90 degrees of bank.
WARNING: Uncoordinated wingovers can lead to large
asymmetric collapses and cravats, therefore they should
never be executed near the ground.
B-Line Stall
B-stall is for fast descents in emergency situations only. B-stall is
performed by symmetrically pulling down on both B-risers.
If you pull too much B-line the glider may horseshoe and become
unstable.
To exit the B-stall the B-risers should be released symmetrically and
in one smooth, progressive motion. The glider will resume normal for-
ward flight without further input. Check you have forward flight again
before using the brakes.
IMPORTANT: We do not recommend the use of B line stalls
with the LM5. Pulling too much B line and or turbulence can
cause the tips to fly forward and become unstable. Spiral
dive is a safer way to loose height effectively.
