
6
In flight
Asymmetric deations
Strong turbulence may cause the wing to collapse asymmetrically. Before
this occurs the brake lines and the feeling of the harness will transmit
a loss of pressure to the pilot. This feedback is used in active piloting to
prevent a collapse. If the collapse does occur, the Matrix will easily re-
inate without the pilot’s reaction.
If assymetric deation happens, actively recover the asymmetric collapse
by weight shifting and applying appropriate brake input on the side that
is still ying. Be careful not to over-brake your wing’s ying side. This
is enough to maintain your course and give the glider enough time to
recover the collapsed side by itself. To actively reopen the collapsed side
after course stabilization, pull the brake line on the collapsed side rmly
and release it.You can do this several times with a smooth pumping
motion. After the recovery, release the brake lines for your glider to regain
its trim speed. You must be aware of the fact that asymmetric collapses
are much more radical when ying accelerated. This is due to the
difference in weight and the inertia of the canopy and the pilot hanging
below.
Symmetric deations
Symmetric or frontal deations normally reopen immediately by
themselves without pilot’s input. The glider will then regain its airspeed
accompanied by a small surge forwards. To actively control this event,
apply both brakes slightly when the collapse occurs and then instantly
release the brakes to let the glider y. Be prepared to compensate for the
glider’s slight surge forward while returning to normal ying.
Wing tangle, cravat
A cravat is very unlikely to happen with the Matrix, but it may occur after
a severe deation or in a cascading situation, when the wing tip gets
caught in the glider’s lines. A pilot should be familiar with the procedure
of handling this situation with any glider. Familiarize yourself with the
stabilizer’s main line (“stabilo” line) already on the ground. If a cravat
occurs, the rst thing to do is to try to keep the glider ying on a straight
course. Do this by weight shifting and counter braking the untangled
side. After that, grab the stabilizer’s main line on the tangled side and
pull it down until it becomes tight again. At this point the cravat normally
releases itself.
Possible solutions of the cravat situations (consult your SIV instructor):
• Pulling the wing tip “stabilo” line
• If you are in a situation where you have a cravat and you are low
in rotation or even with twisted risers, then the only solution is the
reserve parachute.
Negative spin
In normal ight you are far from negative spin. But, certain circumstances
may lead to it. Should this occur, just release the brake lines progressively
and let the wing regain its ying speed. Be prepared for the glider to surge
forward, compensating the surge with brake input if necessary.
Deep stall
Generally when in deep stall, the wing has no forward motion and at
the same time high sink speed. When in deep stall the wing is almost
fully inated. With the Matrix it is very unlikely to get into this situation
unintentionally. This could possibly happen if you are ying at a very low
speed in turbulent conditions. If you apply the brakes a little bit too much
you enter the full stall. If you release the brakes just a little bit too much
the wing returns to normal ight.