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Version 1.0 March 2017
4 Flight Characteristics
This manual is not intended as an instruction book on how to fly the BASE LITE. You should be a qualified pilot or
under suitable supervision, but the following comments describe how to get the best from your BASE LITE.
Weight range
Each size of the BASE LITE is certified for a certain weight range. The weight refers to the ‘overall take-off weight’.
This means the weight of the pilot, the glider, the harness and all other equipment carried with you in flight.
We recommend to fly the BASE LITE in the middle of the weight range.
If you fly the BASE LITE in the lower half of the weight range, the turning agility decreases and the glider will be more
damped. In strong turbulence the wing tends to deform and to collapse slightly more than with a higher wing loading.
If you mainly fly in weak conditions you should consider flying the BASE LITE towards the lower end of the weight
range.
If you fly the BASE LITE in the upper half of the weight range, the agility and the stability in turbulence will increase.
Also the speed will increase slightly. The self damping will decrease in turns, as well as after collapses, so if you fly in
bumpy conditions and you want a dynamic flight characteristic you should go for the top of the weight range.
Active Piloting
Even though the BASE LITE is designed as an easy glider, ‘active piloting’ is a tool that will help you fly with greater
safety and enjoyment. Active piloting is flying in empathy with your paraglider. This means not only guiding the glider
through the air but also being aware of feedback from the wing, especially in thermals and turbulence. If the air is
smooth the feedback can be minimal but in turbulence feedback is continuous and needs to be constantly assessed
4 Flight Characteristics