MAC PARA CHARGER, User Manual

20

FLYING THE CHARGER

In turbulent air fly with brakes lightly applied (10-15 cm) to maintain some internal 
pressure and trimmers set to neutral. This will help avoid canopy collapse. If the canopy 
pendulums forward correct this by promptly applying  the brakes. A pendulum 
movement of the canopy backwards is corrected by easing up on the brakes to let the 
canopy move forward. When you have become fully confident in your wing try 
experimenting with slower and faster trim-settings, weight-shift and speed bar. The 
more time you spend on your Charger the more likely you will enjoy the extra speed and 
security it will offer you. 

Different trimmer settings 

NOTE: Adjusting trimmers in flight requires more pilot attention.  

With the trimmers fully open (trimmer buckle over and passed the white line) the wing’s 
speed increases (good for flying long distances). The canopy becomes stiffer and is less 
sensitive to turbulence and its stability improves. On faster trimmer settings or when 
flying with a speed bar the brake pressure increases and the handling changes. When 
the trimmers are fully opened and the speed bar is pushed all the way forward, we 
recommend steering the glider using the torque compensator lines.  

Some pilots with free-flying experience may have a tendency to keep the brakes slightly 
applied at all times. Such a technique, while quite reasonable on a free-flying wing, is 
not advisable for reflex gliders. When you apply the brakes with released trimmers and 
full speed bar the wing will collapse because it loses its reflex characteristic. 

Warning!!! On faster trim settings with fully accelerated speed bar do not touch 
the main brakes! Doing so will result in major collapse! In flight mode use only 
WTST brakes for steering of the glider.  

On the slower settings (trimmer buckle pulled below the white line), sink rate improves 
and handling becomes lighter, giving you an improved climb rate for thermaling and 
shorter and slower take-offs and landings. Do not hesitate to use thermals in order to 
gain some altitude and save fuel. The EN and LTF certification was done on the slowest 
setting. For free flying  pull fully the straps of trimmers and attach the loops of trimmer`s  
strap to the main karabineers. 

Note!! If trims are not adjusted the same, the wing will turn. Trimmer setting is an 
important part of the checklist before every flight! 

Accelerated flight (speed bar applied) 

When flying with the speed system engaged the angle of attack is lower and the glider 
increases flight speed. In contrast to most paragliders it does not decrease wing 
stability; in fact the reflex gliders seem to counter turbulence even better. To use the 
speed system and accelerate the glider, simply place your feet on the stirrup and push 
forward in a horizontal plane. If you feel a loss of back pressure while flying with the 
speed bar engaged, this is a warning that the canopy is probably about to collapse.