Siv Manoeuvres; Asymmetric Collapse; Full-Frontal Collapse - Gradient BRIGHT4 User Manual

Pilot's manual Bright4
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 Bright4 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 inside of the turn.

5.3 SIV manoeuvres

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. The
Bright4 behaves comfortably in these situations. Indeed, not only does the glider
deal with extreme flight situations automatically, but it also offers an above-
average degree of safety. Even so, you must follow all safety rules when
practising SIV. Always pay attention to your altitude.
Before performing any SIV manoeuvre remember:
• Practise throwing your reserve on the ground, in a simulator, so that reserve
deployment is efficient and automatic.
• Rapid altitude loss and considerable rotational forces may develop during
unstable manoeuvres. Take account of this when throwing your reserve.
5.3.1. Asymmetric Collapse – one side of the canopy collapses
- Initiation: Take hold of the outer A-lines (outer A-riser) on one side and pull
them down smoothly. The wing tip will collapse to form 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 turn tendency by applying the
opposite brake and by weight shifting onto the inflated side of the canopy.
- Recovery: Under normal conditions the Bright4 will re-inflate spontaneously
when the pulled lines are released. Inflation time and loss of altitude can be
reduced by suitable piloting. To stop any tendency to turn off course pull the
brake on the inflated side (be careful not to overreact and stall the inflated side)
and weight shift to that side. If the collapse remains then re-inflate the collapsed
side by "pumping" the brake on the collapsed side.
5.3.2. Full Frontal Collapse
- Initiation: Take hold of both A-risers at the top and pull them down until the
leading edge collapses.
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November 2010
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