Flying experience
This manual is only focusing on the points of the technique of flying that are important for the
U-Turn BLACKOUT PLUS. It cannot and should not replace a profound flight training in an ap-
proved flying school! Without flight training and according experience paragliding is life-endan-
gering!
Take off
After the paraglider is unpacked and laid out oin the shape of a horseshoe, the following points
are to be considered:
- The paraglider should be laid out in such way that when pulling up by the A-risers, the
center lines are evenly and earlier tensioned than those towards the wing tips. This ensures
an easy and symmetrical inflation at the launch.
- Take the wind direction in consideration when laying out the glider, so that when it is pulled
up into the wind, both sides of the glider can rise symmetrically.
- Ensure the risers are without twists and the brake line runs freely through the pulleys to the
trailing edge of the glider.
- No lines should pass underneath the sail. A line-over at take-off can have fatal
consequences.
- Of course the 5-point check shouldn’t be forgotten either.
In the 5-point check the following is checked:
1. Strapped (helmet, harness and carabiners are closed)
2. Suspended (risers aren’t twisted when hung into the carabiner, speed system is mounted
correctly, carabiners are closed)
3. Lines (A-lines on top, all lines are sorted, brake line runs freely through the pulleys)
4. Canopy (canopy lies in the shape of a horseshoe with opened leading edge at the launch)
5. Wind and airspace (wind appropriate for launch, airspace is empty)
The center of the U-Turn BLACKOUT PLUS is marked by the U-Turn logo on the leading edge.
It’s sufficient to hold only the main A-risers. Since the U-Turn BLACKOUT PLUS has little to
no tendency to overshoot, it requires only minimal brake input during the launch. If needed,
directional corrections with the brakes should be undertaken only if the wind is already over-
head, since too much brake input could drop the glider back. The remaining risers should not
be grabbed during take off. With an even pull, but overall light input only, the glider is to be
inflated. Unlike other gliders, it is not necessary to inflate the U-Turn BLACKOUT PLUSwith ag-
gressive pulling or even fast running. That is also true when there is little to zero wind. Meas-
ured pulling up is the simplest and safest way to launch the U-Turn BLACKOUT PLUS. Once the
pilot made sure that the glider is overhead and fully inflated, the final decision is made weather
to take off. After some dynamic steps the pilot takes off.
the flight
