Spiral dive, B stall – Windtech fenix User Manual
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'A' riser on one side which could induce a collapse.
Once you are sure that you have the correct riser pull out and down, and the tips of your
glider should fold under symmetrically. You should be applying NO brake, as you could
stall the wing in this way. Steering is done by weight-shift.
To recover, release the outer 'A' riser
& the FENIX will return to normal flight. Pump with
the brake in case needed.
-- spiral dive
The spiral dive is performed by starting a series of 360 degrees turns, gradually pulling
one brake harder and harder and weight shifting into the turn. Pull more inside brake,
and weight shift harder, for a faster spiral dive but be careful not to stall one side and
enter a spin in this way. Ease off on the inside brake, and weight-shift less hard, to
regain level flight. Like this, the pilot can control the bank angle and the sink rate of the
glider in the spiral dive. Always remember that whilst in the Spiral dive you are drifting
with the wind, and it is very easy to become disorientated.
This manoeuvre is not approved for bank angles higher than 60 º. At this upper limit the
sink rate of the canopy is approximately 10 m/s and the overload is equal to 2G's.
For bank angles higher than 60 degrees the sink rate can achieve 20 m/s but the greater
overload (High gravitational forces - G's) can cause eyesight and equilibrium problems,
and cause some people to 'black out' (faint), which consequently can make the manoeu-
vre extremely dangerous.
To recover from a spiral dive, the inner brake must be progressively and slowly released,
until the canopy assumes normal flight, and angle of bank, again. A good rule of thumb
is to use the same number of 360-degree turns as you did on entry on exit to give a safe
and progressive pullout. If you release hands up from a tight spiral dive you will experi-
ence a big surge followed by a dive. (In turbulent air this can result in a collapse.) The
ZEPHYR 2 has been tested for this but it is advisable to learn the correct exit method, i.e.
progressively release the inside brake.
-- b stall
The B-line stall is a real stall even though the wing appears to be flying above your head
the laminar airflow over the wing is completely lost. During B-Stall, the canopy falls per-
pendicularly to the ground (straight down, but drifting with the wind) at a sink rate of 5
to 12 m/s, with an angle of attack of 90 degrees.
To enter a B-Stall, it is necessary to sit upright in your harness, reach up with the brakes
still in your hands (preferably with the toggles around your wrists)
& securely clutch each
B risers in each hand at the top near the maillons rapides (quick links). To enter the B-
line stall, pull down symmetrically on the B risers. (About 40 cm)
The force initially is quite hard (up to about 15cm) but for the last part the force required
to pull down is less. Keep your weight centered in the harness, and keep the risers held