MAC PARA Eden 5 Series User Manual - Rapid Descents
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RAPID DESCENTS
Spiral dive:
A spiral dive is the fastest way to lose altitude, however, the very high G-forces make it
difficult to sustain a spiral dive for long and it can place high loads on the pilot and glider.
By tensing ones abdominal muscles and a higher body tension you can to some extent
resist the high G-forces. Don’t forget proper breathing! As soon as any, even slight, light
dizziness or impaired vision is noticed the spiral should be exited immediately.
The Eden 5 has a very effective spiral dive. This allows rapid descent without stalling.
To enter a spiral dive the pilot should weight-shift on one side while slowly pulling the
brake gradually on the same side as weight-shifting. During a spiral dive the angle of
bank can be controlled by increasing or reducing the amount of inside brake. When spiral
diving the Eden 5 it is recommended that the outside brake is lightly applied. This helps
stabilize the wing and enables an easier and safer exit from the spiral. To exit, release the
inside brake slowly. The Eden 5 did not show a tendency to remain in a stable spiral by
sink rates up tp 10 m/s during testing. At high sink speeds or if the pilot keeps his weight
on the inside, the wing can stay in a continued deep spiral and has to be actively exited.
This is done by weight shifting to the outside and gentler braking of the outside wing.
WARNING!! Nearly all gliders will have a tendency to stay in the spiral if the sink-rate
exceeds around 15-m/s, depending on weight-shifting, wing loading and G-force.
In fact most gliders need a counter-input to end a turn.
Attention! Due to energy retention, the glider will climb a lot after a deep spiral-dive
release. If you apply inner brake and decelerate the glider for two or three turns, big
pendulum effects can be avoided.
WARNING!! Practise spiralling with caution and lower sink-rates to get a feel for the
gliders behaviour. A pilot who is dehydrated or not accustomed to spiralling can lose
consciousness in a steep spiral dive!
Big ears:
When in big-ears, the horizontal speed is higher than the sink rate, unlike a spiral dive or
a B-line stall. This rapid descent technique is used to quickly and horizontally exit a
dangerous area in the desired direction. In order to collapse the outside wing, pull the
outside A-lines.
When the pilot holds the outside A1-risers on both sides and pulls them down, the Eden 5
easily tucks the outside wings and enters a stable descent mode. The pilot keeps hold of
the brake handles along with the outside A1-risers in his hands. By braking on one side
and weight-shifting, the canopy remains steerable. In order to increase the sink rate as
well as the horizontal speed, this manoeuvre should be done together with use of the
speed system. Apply the speed system after big ears are induced (step into the speed-
bar before you grab the outer A1-risers). Big-ears substantially reduces the risk of canopy
stability problems in turbulent air. To exit Big-ears release the A1-risers. The
canopy does very slowly self-recover. To quicken the recovery, the pilot can dynamicaly
pull down and immediately release the brakes of the glider.