B-Line Stall; Spiral Dive - Gradient GOLDEN3 User Manual

Pilot´s manual GOLDEN 3 Prepared January 2010
Recovery: Under normal circumstances the Golden3 will open automatically when
the A-lines are released. Opening may be accelerated by gently pumping the brakes
(repeated symmetrical braking on both sides).

5.2.2. B-Line Stall

This is a very effective rapid descent technique. Depending on how far the B-risers
are pulled down, the sink rate is between 5 m/s and 10 m/s.
Initiation: Take hold of the B-risers at the top and smoothly pull them down until
the canopy shows a span-wise crease where the B-lines attach to the canopy.
Your sink rate will increase considerably while your forward speed will decrease to
practically zero. Don't be startled when the airflow over the top surface is disrupted
and the paraglider enters a parachutal stall without moving forward. It will soon
stabilise above your head.
Recovery: On releasing the B-risers the Golden3 automatically returns to normal
flight without staying in deep stall or surging in front of the pilot. Let go of the risers
smoothly and symmetrically.
CAUTION: Do everything symmetrically and at the same time. If the B-risers are
released unevenly the canopy can enter a turn. If the risers are released slowly and
very unevenly you could enter a spin.

5.2.3. Spiral Dive

The Spiral Dive is the most effective way of making a fast descent. Every pilot
should be able to perform a spiral dive and one day you may need to. When in a
Spiral Dive always stay aware of your altitude, which decreases very rapidly. The
sink rate reached in a Spiral Dive can be more than 15 m/s. During the manoeuvre
the pilot and glider will experience strong centrifugal forces. Forces of greater than
3G are possible – a great strain on the pilot as well as the glider.
Initiation: Smoothly pull on one brake so that the glider goes from a normal
360-degree turn into a steep turn and from there into a spiral dive. The transition
into a spiral dive can be made easier by weight shifting to the inner side of the turn.
Keep an eye on the tension of the brakes all the time: reduced tension signals an
overload of the glider and danger of falling into a negative spin.
Recovery: The Golden3 recovers from a Spiral Dive automatically as soon as the
brakes are released. Release them smoothly and always finish a Spiral Dive with
safe altitude!
CAUTION: When exiting the Spiral Dive make sure your position in the harness is
neutral. Recovery from a Spiral Dive can be delayed if you are weight shifting to the
inner side of the turn.
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