Flight Characteristics - airwave Gecko Manuel D'utilisation

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4) Always check the buckles and attachments on the harness. Ensure the two main attachment
maillons/karabiners from the harness to the main risers are tightly done up, as well as the six shackles
which attach the risers to the lines.
5) Before the pilot attaches himself to the harness he should be wearing a good crash helmet, and boots
which provide ankle support. Put on the harness ensuring all the buckles are secure and properly adjusted
for comfort. Your paraglider is now ready for flight.
Chapter IV

Flight Characteristics

This manual is not intended as an instruction book on how to fly the Gecko, you should be a qualified pilot
or under suitable supervision, but the following comments describe how to get the best from your Gecko.
Active Piloting
Even though the Gecko is designed as a first time glider, 'active piloting' is a tool that will help you fly with
greater safety and enjoyment. Active piloting is flying in empathy with your paraglider. This means not
only guiding the glider through the air but also being aware of feedback from the wing, especially in
thermals and turbulence. If the air is smooth the feedback can be minimal but in turbulence feedback is
continuous and needs to be constantly assessed by the pilot through the brakes and the harness. Such
reactions are instinctive in good pilots. Maintaining contact with the glider through pressure on the brakes
is essential and allows the pilot to feel the loss of internal pressure which often proceeds a collapse. The
Gecko is highly resistant to collapse without any pilot action at all, but learning how to fly actively will
increase this safety margin even further.
Harness
The Gecko is tested with a 'GH' type harness. The GH category includes weight shift harnesses as well
as ABS style (semi stable) harnesses.
Take-off
The Gecko is easy to inflate in light or stronger winds and will quickly rise overhead to the flying position.
The best inflation technique is to hold one A riser in each hand. The 'big ears' risers should be also held
for the best inflation.
a) Nil Wind – In nil or very light wind, stand with all the A lines taut behind you, then take one or two steps
back (do not walk all the way back to the canopy) and then begin your launch run pulling gently and
smoothly on the A risers. As soon as the canopy starts to rise off the ground stop pulling so hard on the A
risers but pull all the risers evenly through the harness. Maintaining gentle pressure on the A risers
always helps in very calm conditions. Have your hands ready to slow up the canopy with the brakes it it
starts to accelerate past you.
b) Reverse Launch – In winds over 10 km/h it is probably better to do a reverse launch and inflate the
canopy whilst facing it using the A risers.
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