Active Flying; Landing; Rapid Descent Techniques; Big Ears - SKY PARAGLIDERS ZORRO Serie Manuel

together. However, the tip steering controls can be used for
steering when flying normally at all speed configurations.
To operate the tip steering controls, first release the brake
handles from your hands before attempting operation of the tip
steering controls. The controls give a positive turn rate with a
recommended operational range of approximately 0 – 40cm. It
is not recommended to attempt a landing or flair out using the
tip steering controls.
4.8 Active Flying
ZORRO has been designed with a Skyflex reflex profile. It
will resist reasonable levels of turbulence without pilot input.
However in stronger turbulence (which should be anyhow
avoided if possible) we recommend that the trimmers are re-
turned to the standard position and that the speed bar is not
used. Fly the wing actively.
The key elements of effective active flying are the correct use
of pitch control and pressure control:
In turbulent air, if the glider pitches in front of you, use the
brakes to arrest the pitch. Equally, if the glider pitches behind
you, release the brakes to allow it to speed up and return above
you head. In severe turbulence, flying with a small amount of
brake applied (approx. 20cm) will give you tension in the brakes
and feedback from the wing. In turbulent conditions the internal
pressure of the wing can change and you can feel this through
the brakes. The aim is to maintain a constant pressure through
the brakes. If you feel a loss in pressure apply the brakes until
normal pressure is resumed then raise your hands swiftly back
to their original position. Avoid flying with continuous amounts
of brake in rough air as you could inadvertently stall the wing.
Always consider your airspeed and fly at a safe altitude.
IMPORTANT: No pilot and no glider are immune to collaps-
es. In severe turbulence active flying will help to eliminate any
tendency to collapse. When the conditions are very turbulent,
be more active and anticipate the movements of your wing and
remove yourself from the area of turbulence. Always be aware
of your altitude and do not over-react. We advise you to keep
12
hold of your brakes at all times and not to fly in turbulent con-
ditions in the first instance.
It is tempting to accelerate the wing in these circumstances
to activate the SAFS and to feel more collapse resistant. This
will make the wing less likely to collapse but, if the wing flies
outside of its safe operating limit and does collapse, the ensu-
ing collapse is likely to be highly dynamic, more so than if flying
on standard trim.

4.9 Landing

We recommend ensuring that trimmers are returned to the slow
position for most landings. Landing is possible unpowered or
powered.
ZORRO has good flair out characteristics and the amount of
flair should be matched to the amount of wind.
Avoid making any large control inputs below 30 metres and set
up into wind as early as possible.
When landing in nil to light wind, choose the slow trim speed
setting and retain all airspeed until the point of flair. When land-
ing in moderate wind conditions, the ground speed is reduced
so simple and progressive application of the brakes will be
enough for a perfect landing. Avoid a hard flair as the glider may
climb. In moderate to strong winds, landing with open or half
open trimmers is possible, but it will be necessary to balance
the application of the brakes skilfully to initiate the correct flair.
Zorro
User manual / Handbuch / Manuel / Návod k obsluze
5. RAPID DESCENT
TECHNIQUES
As a general rule, in order to descend, fly away from areas of lift.
Flying at faster speeds will also enable you to descend quicker.
If, for whatever reason, you are taken unawares by the devel-
opment of conditions, you may consider using the following
techniques to increase your sink rate further.

5.1 Big Ears

Grasp the outside big ears A line on both sides as high up the
line as possible.
Pull the line outwards and downwards whilst allowing your
hands to slightly slide down the line until the wingtips fold back
under the leading edge. We recommended that you perform
each "ear" successively and not both simultaneously. Keep the
lines taut to stop the wingtips from reopening until the manoeu-
vre is finished. Depending on the size of the big ears that have
been initiated, the sink rate can increase by up to 3–4 m/s. If
necessary, it is possible to initiate small alterations in direction
by weight shift control. As soon as the lines are released, the
paraglider should spontaneously reopen. However, you can
speed reopening by „pumping" the brakes in a single sweep-
ing movement approximately 30%. When pumping the brakes
it is recommended that one side of the paraglider be opened
after the other. Pulling both brakes simultaneously to reopen
ears may result in a stall.
5.2 Spiral Drive
ZORRO is a manoeuvrable wing that responds to pilot input
precisely and progressively. To initiate a tight spiral apply one
brake progressively to about 35% and hold it in this position.
The speed of rotation and the brake pressure will increase
progressively and the centrifugal force on the pilot will also