Niviuk Hook 5 User Manual

Niviuk Hook 5 User Manual Manual pdf 13 page image

135. LOSING ALTITUDEKnowledge of different descent techniques could become vital incertain situations. The most suitable descent method will depend on theparticular situation.To become familiar with the manoeuvres described below, werecommend practising within the environment of a licensed training outfit.5.1 BIG EARSThe “Big ears” is a moderate descent technique, able to increase the sinkrate to –3 or –4 m/s and reduces the ground speed by 3 to 5 km/h. Theangle of attack and effective wing-loading will also increase due to thesmaller surface area of the wing.Standard techniqueTo perform the ‘Big ears’ manoeuvre, take the outermost line on eachA-riser (the 3A3 line on the HOOK 5) and simultaneously, smoothly pullthem outward and downward. The wingtips will fold inTo re-establish forward speed and the correct angle of attack, accelerateonce the ears are pulled.Keep the ears pulled in until you have lost the desired altitude.Let go of the lines to re-inflate the tips automatically. If they do not, tryprogressively pulling one brake then the other. Asymmetric reopeningis recommended in order to avoid compromising the angle of attack,particularly flying near the ground or in turbulent conditions.Beware of the risk of stalling!The action of reaching for the outermost A-lines (3A3 lines) to pull theears, can inadvertently mean pulling the brakes. The same can happenwhen we are holding the tips down with the outermost A-lines (3A3 lines),it is possible to accidentally affect the brakes. This can obviously lead toa significant speed decrease.In paragliders with a very pronounced arc, pulling big ears means anincrease in drag. On a very arched wing, the ears do not fold, they justhang. The increase of drag is more pronounced than on wings with a lesspronounced arc.The HOOK 5 is designed with little chord, which is good in normal flightconditions. However, this same damping is what can cause us to haveproblems to regain normal flying speed after a high increase of the angleof attack and the added drag of the ears.These particularities, together with turbulent thermic conditions, couldcause an unintentional stall.The solution: big ears may still be applied but you must be fully awareof the above-mentioned points and act accordingly. To avoid the stall,simply use half speed-bar (this is sufficient) to increase the speed anddecrease the angle of incidence. This should allow you to maintainsufficient speed to prevent the stall. Take care not to pull the brakes whilemaking the ears as this will make a stall more likely!5.2 B-LINE STALLWhen carrying out this manoeuvre, the wing stops flying, loses allhorizontal speed and the pilot is no longer in control of the paraglider.The airflow over the profile is interrupted and the wing enters a situationsimilar to parachuting.To enter this manoeuvre, the B-risers are gripped below the maillons andsymmetrically pulled down together (approx. 20-30 cm) and maintainedin that position.