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Section 5
Flying the Stratus 8
B-stall
In the B-stall, a stall is provoked and the
paraglider sinks vertically with a sink rate of
approx. 8 m/s. The B-stall is suitable when
there is an average ascent rate and little
wind.
Starting the manoeuvre
Grasp both of the B-risers on the mallions at
the coloured mark. Pull both B-risers evenly
down until the airflow is broken and the wing
goes completely into vertical descent flight
mode. The B-risers should then be held in
this position to ensure a gentle descent.
IMPORTANT
Pull down the B-risers only until there is
no airflow. If they are pulled down any
further, the glider could go into a
horseshoe.
Check before and during the B-stall that
the airspace beneath you is clear.
Recovery
Return the B-risers quickly and evenly into
their normal position. The glider may go into
a deep stall if they are released too slowly
or into a negative spin if not released
symmetrically. If this happens, the speed
must be increased using the speed system
or by pulling the A-risers forward.
WARNING
The canopy speeds up after the B-
risers have been released until the
airflow returns. Under no circumstances
should the brakes be applied at this
time.
This manoeuvre should be avoided at
low temperatures. Pilots should be
aware that this considerably increases
the tendency to deep stall.
Big Ears
Big ears is the simplest method for rapid
descent and has a sink rate of 3-5m/s. The
advantage of big ears is that the glider
continues to fly straight, meaning that a
danger area can be avoided. It is even
possible to land using big ears, for example
on a top-landing to compensate for the
updraft.
The wing-loading increases by the reduction
in the wing’s surface area, the wing
becomes more stable against collapses in
turbulence. Nevertheless, the air resistance
of the wing also increases, and it flies more
slowly and closer to the stall limit. To
counter this and to increase the
effectiveness of the sink, the speed bar is
generally also used in combination with big
ears.
Starting the manoeuvre
Start the manoeuvre by pulling both outer A-
lines downwards. The brake lines are held
steady and the pilot uses weight-shifting to
steer the paraglider. You can now descend
safely on the stable middle part of the wing.
The brakes must not be shortened during
the manoeuvre, e.g. by wrapping the brake
lines.
Recovery
Let go of both A-risers smoothly. Assist the
opening process by pumping the brakes if
the ears do not open automatically.
WARNING
The technique of big ears causes a
higher load for the line groups which
are still weight-bearing. Therefore, do
not fly any extreme manoeuvres with
