ICARO ICE2XC, User Manual

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Descent techniques

Fast descents may be appropriate in certain flight situations. Some examples
of when quick descent may improve safety: to descend away from a cumulus
cloud that is generating too much lift; to land before a storm arrives; to land in
a small or restrictive landing area.   Your 

ICE2 XC

is capable of several des-

cent techniques. These descent techniques should only be practiced the first
time under the strict supervision of an instructor.  We recommend the following
manoeuvres, in order of increasing descent rate potential 

Small and Big Ears

Small Ears is folding in the wing tips of your ICE2 XC to increase the sink rate.
This is useful for staying out of small clouds, descending quickly, or landing in
areas too small to do regular glides in to. To pull Small Ears on the ICE2 XC
use only the outer A-risers and pull them down.  After initiating the small ears,
you may also step into your speed system and push it so that the pitch angle
of your glider is compensated and your speed and sink rate further increases.
This descent technique results in descents rates of up to -3.0 m/s.  

Doing Big ears is only recommended in emergency situations when in need of 
higher descent rates for example: descending through strong thermals which
would otherwise pull you into cumulus clouds or approaching storms.  To do
big ears: sit upright and take only the outer 2 A-lines one each side of the gli-
der (not the entire A-risers). Pull them slow and in one smooth motion, so that
nearly 25% of the wing is collapsed on each side. Note that once big ears are
in, you have less wing area supporting you and your stall speed will have incre-
ased. Do not use brakes other than for re-inflation. For directional control while
using the big ears, you should use weight shift.  After initiating the big ears, you
may also step into your speed system and push it so that pitch angle of your
glider is compensated and your speed and sink rate further increases. This
descent technique results in descent rates of up to -4.5 m/s.  

To re-open the wing tips, smoothly release the speed system and then the
lines. Normally wing tips will re-inflate automatically. You can help the process
by leaning away from the side you want to re-inflate and gently pumping the
brakes. Do this one side at the time to minimize the chance of inducing a stall.

WARNING: DO NOT USE SMALL OR BIG EARS NEAR THE GROUND!

B-line stall

Before initiating a b-line stall, the pilot should check sufficient terrain clearan-
ce to fully perform and exit the manoeuvre. It is also imperative the pilot fully
commit to completing the manoeuvre, as a premature release while the glider
is still falling back and not fully stalled may lead to a large diving surge and
possibility of pilot entanglement with the glider. Descent rates exceeding -8
m/s can readily be achieved. 

B-stall is performed by symmetrically pulling down on the B-Risers. It takes a
lot of force to B-line the

ICE2 XC

but after a certain point it will stall smoothly

and start gaining descent speed.  Forward speed will reduce to a minimum. 

To initiate a B-line stall: do not release brake handles.  Firmly grasp the steel
karabiners on each B-riser.  Make a deliberate, forceful, sharp pull downward
until your elbows touch your chest (similar to doing a chin-up) and hold in that
position.  Do not release either side:  the glider will crease along the b-line
level; slow and stall; fall slightly behind the pilot; the pilot will swing back under
the canopy; and finally, the canopy will stabilize overhead in a stable b-line
stall.   Only once in a stable b-line stall should the manoeuvre be released.  To
exit the B-line stall: the B-risers should be released symmetrically and in one
smooth, progressive motion. The glider should resume normal forward flight
without further input. Check you have forward flight again before using brakes.
If forward flight has not resumed, push gently forward with open palms on each
A-riser: the glider will leave parachutal stall and resume normal flight. 

Attention: It is very dangerous to enter or exit a B-line stall incorrectly. The
following pilot errors must be avoided:

Pulling B-Risers insufficiently or asymmetrically: may result in deep 
stall or spin.

Premature release of B-Risers as glider is falling back just starting to
stall: may result in big diving surge. 

Pulling B-lines too far so that A-risers are pulled too: may result in 
rosette or front horseshoe.

Pulling C-risers instead of B: may result in full stall.

Slow releasing of B-risers: may result in deep stall.