Frontal Collapse Of The Canopy - Gradient Avax XC2 User Manual

- recovery: Avax XC2 recovers from a spiral automatically as soon as the brakes
are released. Release them smoothly and always finish a spiral dive with safe
altitude!
5.3. Special flight regimes
No matter what category of canopy you fly or what level of certification it has, in
turbulence or in strong thermals you may experience all kinds of collapses.
Avax XC2 behaves comfortably in these situations, Indeed not only does Avax XC2
deal with extreme flight regimes automatically, but for its category also offers an
above average degree of safety. Even so, you must follow all safety rules when
practising special flight operations and always pay attention to your altitude!
Before performing special flight regimes remember:
• practise reserve deployment on the ground, in a simulator, so that reserve
deployment is automatic and efficient.
• Rapid altitude loss and considerable rotational forces may develop during
unstable manoeuvres. Take account of these factors in the context of reserve
deployment!
5.3.1. Collapse of one side of the canopy
- initiation: Take hold of the outer A-lines on one side and pull them down
smoothly. The wing tip will collapse downward forming a characteristic "big ear".
The size of the ear depends on the depth to which the lines are pulled as well as
the number of lines pulled down. You can stop any tendencies to turn by applying
the opposite brake and by weight shifting onto the inflated side of the canopy.
- recovery: Under normal conditions Avax XC2
when the pulled lines are released. The inflation time and loss of altitude can be
reduced by suitable action of the pilot. To stop any tendencies to turn off course
weight shift on the inflated side and apply a little break to that side. If the collapse
remains then reinflate the collapsed side by "pumping" the brake on the collapsed
side to quicken the inflation.
5.3.2. Frontal collapse of canopy
- initiation: Take hold at the top of both A-risers and pull them down until the
leading edge collapses.
will re-inflate spontaneously