INCIDENTS IN FLIGHT
EN
13
12
B-Line Stall
It is not possible to perform B line-stalls with the XXLite 2.
Spiral Dives
If you turn your glider in a series of tightening 360’s it will enter a spiral dive. This will result in rapid height
loss. To initiate a spiral, look and lean in to the direction you want to go, then smoothly pull down on the
inside brake. The XXLite 2 will first turn almost 360 degrees before it drops into the spiral. Once in the
spiral you should re-centre your weight shift and apply a little outside brake to keep the outer wing tip
pressured and inflated.
Safe descent rates of more than 8m/s (1600 ft/min approx.) are possible in a spiral dive, but at these rates
the associated high speeds and g-forces can be disorientating. Always pay particular attention to your
altitude. To exit the spiral dive, ensure your weight shift is in a centred position and then smoothly release
the inside brake. As the XXLite 2 decelerates allow it to continue to turn until enough energy is lost for it to
return to level flight without an excessive climb and surge.
The XXLite 2 shows little tendency to remain stable in a spiral dive; however some parameters could
interfere with its behaviour. These might include: wrong chest strap settings, total weight in flight outside
of the certified weight range, or being in a very deep spiral at a very high sink rate >14m/s. You should
always be prepared to pilot the wing out of such a spiral dive. To do so, smoothly use opposite weight
shift and apply enough outside brake to stop the wing from spiralling, the glider will then start to resume
normal flight. Never attempt to recover from a spiral with hard or quick opposite inputs as this will result
in an aggressive climb and surge.
IMPORTANT
Always be prepared
to pilot the wing out
of a spiral dive. Use
opposite weight shift
and apply enough
outside brake to
stop the wing from
spiralling.
Deflations
Due to the flexible form of a paraglider, turbulence may cause a portion of the wing suddenly to collapse.
This can be anything from a small 30% (asymmetric) collapse to a complete (symmetric) collapse.
If you have a collapse, the first thing to do is to control your direction. You should fly away from the ground
or obstacles and other pilots. Asymmetric collapses should be controlled by weight shifting away from the
collapse and applying enough brake to control your direction. This action alone will be enough for a full
recovery of the wing most of the time.
Once a glider is deflated it is effectively a smaller wing, so the wing loading and stall speed are higher. This
means the glider will spin or stall with less brake input than normal. In your efforts to stop the glider turning
towards the collapsed side of the wing you must be very careful not to stall the side of the wing that is still
flying. If you are unable to stop the glider turning without exceeding the stall point then allow the glider to
turn whilst you reinflate the collapse.
If you have a deflation which does not spontaneously reinflate, make a long smooth progressive pump
on the deflated side. This pumping action should take about 1-2 seconds per pump. Pumping too short
and fast will not reinflate the wing and pumping too slow might take the glider close to, or beyond, the
stall point.
Symmetrical collapses reinflate without pilot input, however 15 to 20cm of brake applied symmetrically will
speed the process. After a symmetric collapse always consider your airspeed. Make sure the glider is not
in parachutal stall before making any further inputs.
If your XXLite 2 collapses in accelerated flight, immediately release the accelerator and manage the
collapse using the same methods described above.
DO NOT
practice SIV
with the XXLite 2.
You will reduce the
overall lifespan and
increase the chances
of damaging the wing.
Summary of Contents for XXLite 2
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Page 2: ......
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