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The most important safety and security feature of every glider is the pilot.
4.2 POSSIBLE CONFIGURATIONS
The following indications should be viewed as purely informative, solely
relevant to normal flying settings, and can not to be considered nor
viewed as a paragliding teaching manual. Only professional paragliding
schools can teach and prepare pilots to do all these maneuvers.
Asymmetric collapse
The collapse will normally open by itself but if that does not happen, pull
completely on the brake line on the side, which has collapsed. Do this
with a firm movement. You may have to repeat this operation to provoke
the re-opening. Take care not to over brake on the side that is still flying
(turn control) and when the collapse has been solved; remember to let the
wing recover its flying speed.
Symmetric collapse
A symmetric collapse may occur in heavy turbulent conditions, on entry or
exit of strong thermals or lack of adapting the use of the accelerator to the
prevailing air conditions. If a symmetrical collapse does not recover on it’s
own, you can symmetrically apply the brake lines with a quick deep pump
to quicken the re-inflation. Release the brake lines immediately to recover
optimum flight speed.
Negative spin
This configuration is out of the normal flight behaviour of the
DOBERMANN. Remember that you should restore the relative air speed
over the wing. To achieve this, progressively reduce the pressure on the
brake lines and let the wing gain speed. The normal reaction would be a
lateral surge with a turn tendency no greater than 360º before restoring to
normal flight conditions.
Next to the ground or slalom racing around pylons, the situation is critical,
and thus recommended to keep the negative turn in control rather than
risking a frontal collapse close to the ground.
Parachutal stall
Do not implement this manoeuver with the DOBERMANN.
Deep stall
The glider will first fall behind you and then situate itself above you,
rocking slightly, depending on how the manoeuvre was carried out. When
you start to provoke a stall, be positive and do not doubt an instant.
Do not release the brake lines when half way through the manoeuvre.
This would cause the glider to surge violently forward with great energy
and may result in the wing below the pilot. It is very important that the
pressure on the brake lines is maintained until the wing is well established
vertical above.
Wing tangle
A wing tangle may happen after an asymmetric collapse. The correction
manoeuvres are the same as those applied in the case of an asymmetrical
collapse, control the turn by applying pressure on the opposite brake
and reopening the wing using the stabilizer lines. Extreme awareness
and caution should be of utmost importance when flying in turbulent
conditions.
Be careful when attempting to undo a tangle if you are flying near a
mountainside or near to other paragliders, you may lose control of the
flying course and a collision may occur.
4.3 USING THE ACCELERATOR
The profile of the DOBERMANN has been designed to fly stable through
its entire speed range. If you feel a pressure loss, you should release
the pressure on the accelerator and pull slightly on the brake lines to
increase the angle of incidence. Remember that you have to re-establish
the flight speed after correcting the incidence.
It is NOT recommended to accelerate near to the mountainside or in very