La forma: escala y ámbito

Technical Terms

The flight is called "Normal" when the paraglider is fully inflated and flies straight without any intervention of the pilot.

"Spontaneous return to flight" means "without intervention of the pilot".

"Pilotable" means, also if the wing is partially deflated (in the limit of a maximum of the 40% of the wingspan), that the pilot can perform 180 turns on both the senses without deteriorating the

situation.

"Piloting accessories" means trim, accelerators and so on.

"To Be Defined", the procedure has still yet to be defined

Some paragliders have trim. Slow trim equals low speed. Fast trim equals high speed.

V min = min. speed V max = max. speed

V trim = Speed without brakes or use of speed bar

Classes: 1 = standard, 2 = performance, 3 = competition, 4 = tandem Notice: Please consider that they may alter in due course

Test 1: Inflation Objectives

Verification of the possibility of easy inflation phase.

Procedures To Be Defined Required results Standard

To Be Defined

Verification of the possibility to land the wing without complex maneuvers.

Procedures

The pilot land using only the commands.

Required results Standard

Must be possible to land without special maneuvers.

Performance

Verification that the field of speeds (Vmax - Vmin) is enough and giving the results to the wing builder.

Procedures

The Vmax and the Vmin are maintained for 10 sec., with and without the accessories use, then registered on a instrument.

Required results Standard

The speeds field must be at least 10 Km/h.

Performance

The same as Standard, but with trims in "slow" position.

Competition

None imposed. The speeds aren't registered.

Twin

The speeds field must be at least 15 Km/h.

Test 4: Accessories Utilisation Objectives

Verification that all the wing accessories (trim, accelerator, ...) can't be the source of dangerous behavior (es. tuck at Vmax, parachutal stall at Vmin).

Procedures

Vmin: trim set for minimum speed position for 10 sec., the speed is registered and the behaviour is

observed. Vmax: accelerator or trim set for maximum speed, no action on commands, maintained for 10 sec., the speed is registered and the behaviour is observed.

Required results Standard

None exit from the flight domain is accepted. The speeds are recorded.

Performance

Verification of the wing pitch stability.

Procedures

With trim set for Vmax, the pilot slow down the wing using the commands. At the stall point, the commands are released quickly.

Required results Standard

The forward surge must not exceed 45 degrees. Tucks are accepted if they do not cause route changes.

Performance

The maximum forward surge is 90 degrees, Tucks are accepted if they do not cause route change in excess of 90 degrees and the return to flight is spontaneous.

Competition Test not imposed.

Twin

Test not imposed.

Test 6: Exit from Parachutal Stall Objectives

Verification the aptitude of the wing to regain the normal flight exiting from a parachutal stall (using commands).

Procedures

With the commands, the pilot slow down the wing. At the stall point the commands are slowly released until the highest speed position. If after 4 sec. the wing is still in parachutal stall phase, the pilot applies the wing Owner's Manual instructions.

Required results Standard

Spontaneous exit form parachutal stall in less than 4 sec, forward surge less than 45 degrees, route change less than 180 degrees.

Performance

Same as Standard, but with forward surge less than 90 degrees.

Competition

Forward surge up to 90 degrees (horizon), return to normal flight during the 4 sec following the pilot intervention.

Twin

Same as Performance.

Test 7: Exit from "B" Stalls (slow release) Objectives

Verification of the possibility of perform a emergency descent using the "B" technique, if it's foreseen on the wing Owner's Manual, and verifying the wing pitch stability.

Procedures

If there are accessories, they must be set in Vmin position. The pilot pull the "B" risers until

reaching the "B" stall, then release it slowly. If the wing remains in parachutal stall, the pilot applies the wing Owner's Manual instructions.

Required results Standard

Forward surge less than 45 degrees, tuck accepted if it does not cause a route change and if it re-inflate spontaneously.

Performance

Forward surge less than 90 degrees, return to normal flight during the 4 sec. following the pilot intervention.

Competition Test not imposed.

Twin

Test not imposed.

Test 8: Exit from "B" Stalls (quick release) Objectives

Verification of the possibility of the wing to return to normal flight exiting from a "B" stall.

Procedures

If there are accessories, they must be set in Vmax position. The pilot pull the "B" risers until reaching the "B" stall, then release it quickly. If the wing remains in parachutal stall, the pilot applies the wing Owner's Manual instructions.

Required results Standard

Forward surge less than 45 degrees, tuck accepted if it does not cause a route change and if it re-inflates spontaneously.

Performance

Forward surge less than 90 degrees, return to normal flight during the 4 sec. following the pilot intervention.

Competition

Forward surge less than 90 degrees, return to normal flight during the 4 sec. following the pilot intervention.

Twin

If the wing Owner's Manual does not specify the possibility of perform "B" stalls, it's not tested;

else the same as Performance.

Test 9: Attitude to turn Objectives

Verification of a good aptitude to turn of the wing.