"B" Stail:
To lose height quickly so as to avoid had weather or land in a
restricted area the Futura can be "B" stalled by gripping the "B" riser at the
attachment shackle of the "B" unes. Pull down slowly for the first 10 cm. There
will be strong resistance at first.
The canopy chape will distort and fall a little
behind the pilot's head. Pulling a further 8 cm will stabilize the glider above the
pilot's head . Pull down equally or a turn may develop. Vertical descent rates of
10 meters per second can be safely achieved
To recover release both v-unes slowly at first and fast for the last 10 cm to
accelerate the glider to flying speed.
Big Ears:
Height can also be lost in a controlled way by collapsing both tips. To
do this take no more than the last one "A" line from the tips and pull 10 cm
down sharply. This will collapse 20% of the wing at each tip. This can give sink
rates of up to 5 meters per second. In certain circumstances the tips will remain in
without holding the "A" unes. Steering control can be maintained by weight
shifting with the harness.
To recover, let go of the "A" unes and pull the brakes
down 50 % on both the collapsed sides until the wing is fully inflated.
Do not
do any extreme maneuvers with the tips collapsed as this puts an
excessive load on the tenter unes which may lead to failure of old or damaged
unes.
Spiral Dives:
By progressively applying the brake on one side, the glider can be
put into a spiral dive. Safe, high sink rates can be achieved if done with tare.
High speeds and excessive loads result from strong spiral dives caused by using
too much brake. Recovery must be done by slowly releasing the brake, otherwise
strong forward to rear surges will result in the canopy losing air pressure and large
collapses occurring. Take tare that you have enough height to safely exit the
spiral.The Futura will need 1 to 2 turns to exit neatly from very deep spirals.
11. LANDING
Before landing, the pilot should check the wind direction, which can be seen by
smoke, flags etc., or the speed of the glider in comparison to the ground.
At a
height of forty to seventy meters the final part of the flight must begin. The pilot
should head straight into wind towards the landing field by gently braking or by
making s-turns the exact point can be chosen.
At a final height of twenty meters, descent should, preferably be made at trim
speed.
At a height of one to two meters the landing should be achieved by using
full brake.
Steering not functioning.
If the pilot cannot reach the steering unes for any
reason or if they are not functioning properly, (for example: if they are broken
after damage ), use the alternative method of steering by pulling the rear v-line.
Steering in this way is much slower than normal. Care should be taken when
landing this way to avoid stalling too high.
Strong turbulence.
Continue flying by pulling the brakes down 20% in order to
increase the air pressure inside the canopy.
Tree landings:
If it is not possible to land in an open clearing, steer towards the
highest tree and sink down towards it, protecting your face with your hands,
elbows pressed to the body. Secure yourself to the tree with the unes if descent
from the tree involves danger, wait for assistance.
After a tree landing, all the
unes must be remeasured and the canopy checked.
Water landings:
As you approach landing, release all the buckles of the harness
except one leg.
Just before hitting the water, release the remaining leg buckle
and continue braking.
Swim away from the harness and glider to avoid
entanglement.
On impact, if the glider is allowed to rotate completely forwards
until it hits the water with the front openings, the air inside will then be trapped,
making the canopy into a big floating balloon which will give the pilot more time
to escape and make for a better recovery of the canopy which will not be so full
of water.
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