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Spiral dive
For the most comfortable way of doing this we recommend a neutral
sitting position without active weight shift, and a shoulder-width cara-
biner distance ( approx 45 cm ) .
Enter the spiral by progressively pulling one brake . Your head and field
of view should be directed in the turn direction . As the angle of bank
increases so will the rate of turn, airspeed and centrifugal force, which
makes the pilot feel heavier .
The behaviour of the spiralling paraglider can be separated into two
phases: in the beginning the glider makes a normal turn which pro-
gressively tightens, with increasing angle of bank . In the second phase
the paraglider engages its spiral mode . This means that the wing dives
forward and assumes a more vertical flightpath . During this phase of
the manoeuvre try to keep a neutral sitting position and give way to the
centrifugal force – your body will be pulled to the outside of the turn .
To recover keep the neutral sitting position and progressively release
the inside brake . Your body weight will be somewhat tipped to the
outside . While coming out of a spiral dive of high vertical and rotational
speeds some assistance with outside brake is essential . Careful re-
leasing of the inside brake will prevent the wing from recovering too
quickly, thus pitching back excessively before diving in front - if the turn
stops with too much speed remaining . Make sure that you start the
recovery with plenty of height above the ground . Generally speaking
you should allow the same amount of time to recover as it took to enter
the manoeuvre, but remember that the vertical speed will be higher,
and much more height will be used!
The ALPHA 7 comes out of a steep spiral dive by itself if a neutral sit-
ting position is maintained . Active weight shift to the inside of the turn
can lead to stronger acceleration and the glider may show less desire
to recover by itself .
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