30
Section 7
Dangerous situations and extreme flying
forming a U-shape by timely and energetic
use of the brakes. There is a risk that the
wingtips will become tangled if they touch
each other.
Types of stall
When a paraglider flies through the air, a
laminar and turbulent boundary layer is
created. Extremely dangerous flight
configurations can result if the laminar
boundary layer is interrupted, with
practically the entire airflow along the top
surface braking away. This happens in
particular when the angle of attack is too
great.
There are three different types of stall in
paragliding.
IMPORTANT
Full stall and spin are manoeuvres
which can be fatal if recovery is not
correct. These manoeuvres should
therefore be avoided. However, it is
important to learn how to recognise the
indications that a glider is about to stall
so that you can take immediate action
to prevent it.
Deep stall
Paragliders can go into a deep stall for a
variety of reasons: brake lines too short (no
slack), old or damaged glider material which
therefore has increased level of
permeability, altered trim/line length and
changes to profile characteristics caused by
moisture (e.g. flying in rain). Paragliders
have a particular tendency to stall if the
wing-loading is too low.
In a deep stall, the airflow from the front
reduces and the glider goes into a stable
flight attitude without forward momentum.
The paraglider sinks almost vertically at 4-
5m/s and there is noticeably less flight
noise.
Recovery
Remain in an upright position and push the
A-risers in the direction you are flying, so as
to shorten them by 5-10cm.
If you have a speed system, you can also
use it to accelerate, so that the glider goes
into a normal flying position from the deep
stall.
After you have landed, the glider and the
length of the lines must be checked.
Full stall
The full stall happens when the wing
partially deflates and loses its arched shape.
It is triggered when the maximum possible
angle of attack is exceeded. The most
common cause is going below the minimum
speed or flying near the minimum speed
combined with the effects of turbulence.
In full stall, the paraglider loses its forwards
travel, surges backwards and deflates. If the
brakes are held down, the canopy comes up
over the pilot again. The result is an almost
vertical descent with a sink rate of approx.
8m/s.
Recovery
Because of the Core 3
’s high aspect ratio,
during a stall the wing-tips tuck and move
behind the canopy. They return to their
original position when the brakes are
released. Slowly release the brakes, making
sure that this is done symmetrically. As
soon as the glider is completely open above
the pilot, the brakes are released.
As this is done, the canopy accelerates
forwards dynamically and picks up speed.
Do not brake too soon (otherwise it could go
into a full stall again), and be careful to
avoid a front stall by making sure that it
does not shoot too far forwards.
