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Thermal flying, Flying in turbulence – Windtech arial User Manual

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There are many reverse launch methods/techniques which the pilot can learn. To progress
well with your flying, and to be a good pilot, it is necessary to master at least one of the
techniques. If you can achieve 100% control your glider on the ground then you will be
a better, safer pilot in the air

&

this will also help you to understand the dynamics of a

paraglider in flight.

> thermal flying

The ARIAL is a pure pleasure to thermal with. To achieve the best sink rate the pilot
should use around 35% of inside brake (on the turning side) and 25% of outside brake
whilst using weight shift to help maximise the efficiency or turn.

Easing off on the outside brake can change the steepness of the turn, and help with the
your efficiency in the thermal. This is a more advanced technique

&

should be practised

with an instructor and/or experienced pilot to perfect it.

With the harness chest strap pulled tight weight shift is less effective but the security
will be increased and the wing feel more “solid”,

&

vice versa. The maximum chest strap

distance (karabiner to karabiner) should be 38 cm.

> flying in turbulence

Most pilots want to enjoy the pleasures of
thermal and coss-country flight.

One thing to always consider is that normally
these flying conditions are rougher, stronger and
sometimes unpredictable and more difficult to
handle which can lead to unstable situations
such as collapses. There will always be some
level of turbulence associated with thermals.

If you progress at a nice steady rate, and keep
safe, you will find thermal flying will become a
pleasure. With qualified instruction you will
actually learn faster, learning how to optimise
your thermal skills and deal correctly with
unstable situations such as collapses, rapid
descent manoeuvres, stalls ands spins, and so
you will get far more from your flying.

With the correct technique

&

qualified instruction the pilot can learn to help stop col-

lapses by flying “actively”

&

recover the wing more quickly, by the giving the correct

input, when collapses occur. Remember, the glider is tested to recover and so it is always

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