Flying
In general, the FIDES 2 is flown in an entirely conventional way. You will however find
below several points which should enable you to familiarise yourself more quickly with your
new paraglider and to and make the most of its performance.
Take Off
Spread your paraglider out on the ground with the leading edge in the shape of a semi-
circle whose radius
is slightly shorter than the length of the lines. Take the front risers
(red lines) at the quick links, move forward until the front left and right lines are gently
tensioned. By doing so you are perfectly centred in relation to the canopy.
In nil wind or a light head wind, with tensioned lines, the FIDES 2 inflates quickly and rises
progressively overhead with several committed strides.
We recommend that you do not over pull the risers forward or downwards, which could
cause a leading edge deflation, but to simply guide them until the glider reaches its flight
position. It is important that your body’s centre of gravity remains in front of your feet
during glider inflation to keep constant tension on the risers.
A calm and progressive inflation makes it possible to carry out a visual check of the canopy
and lines during the final phase of the inflation and therefore to avoid the need to brake
the glider…. to then reaccelerate it to it’s flight speed. Depending on the wind and slope a
prudent application of brake can allow you to leave the ground more quickly.
Landing
The FIDES 2 offers excellent performance and in particular a glide ratio of more than
7
which must be correctly managed during approach and landing. It is a glider which is both
easy to handle and reactive in turn inversions. Final corrections which are too sudden can
cause significant roll. We therefore recommend you take your first flights at a site which
you are familiar with, with a spacious and clear landing area.
By making your whole approach using negative flying at a reduced speed, you will have
more time to do it calmly and you will greatly reduce pendulum motions of your paraglider.
Remember: negative flying consists of lowering both brakes symmetrically to about 30% to
slow the glider, then making turns by easing off the outer brake.
An increase in speed in the last few metres of flight enables maximum exploitation of the
conversion to land gently.
Turning
The FIDES 2 has been designed to turn pleasantly and so that it is easy to core thermals
even without active weight shift flying.
Negative flying (see above) on the one hand allows slowing the glider during certain phases
of flight and on the other reduces roll in wingovers. It is not only suitable for the landing
approach
(with about 30% brake) but also allows flying more slowly to locate areas of lift
and to keep the paraglider flatter to optimise sink rate in turns (with about 15% brake)
