ASYMMETRIC FRONT DEFLATION
An asymmetric front deflation occurs when an end portion of the leading edge of the paraglider collapses and tucks underneath the remainder of the flying wing. This can range from a tip deflation, where just the end two or three cells tuck (say 20%), when the wing may or may not alter course, to say 70 % tuck during which the wing can alter course radically towards the deflated side. |
| The canopy has a small tuck (20% to 30 %) and its course has not altered much. |
Pull gently on the opposite brake, while weight shifting away from the deflated side, to keep a safe course. At the same time pump with long slow action on the brake to the deflated side. Visually check both the tuck and your course. |
| The canopy has a large tuck (40% to 70%) and starts to turn to the deflated side. |
The pilot must waste no time in pulling firmly in a controlled manner on the opposite brake and weight shifting away from the deflated side - bringing it back quickly onto a safe course. Some canopies cannot be brought back to a safe course with weight shift and brake application. In this case, just counter the turn as much as can be done without stalling. Then, if the tuck has not already come out, keep the right amount of brake on the opposite (flying) side, to maintain course while repeatedly pumping long on the deflated side. You must remember that as the degree of your deflation decreases, so must the amount of brake you use on the opposite way. Before turning again, allow the canopy to regain its balanced flight by easing off both brakes.
Sometimes in the case of a collapse that stays the pilot can lean into the collapsed side for a second building speed then energy. Then leaning hard and applying some brake in the opposite direction. This results in a wing over type move which may be enough to open the wing. Remember, this particular maneuver should only be attempted after having received the proper instruction. |
| The canopy has a full frontal deflation, resulting in 100% of canopy collapse. |
This can happen when through improper surge control or sometimes when exiting a thermal into strong sink. It is most likely to happen also if 70% or more of the accelerator (speed bar) is being used. Despite how serious it may look, it is generally very easy to recover from.
If the accelerator is applied, let off the speed bar and the canopy should recover, by pitching backwards, then forward again. Make sure to use proper surge control during canopy recovery, so that another problem is not caused inadvertently.
If the canopy has exited a thermal say the lee side, which is usually associated with strong sink, the wing may stay collapsed momentarily or try to recover asymmetrically. If this is the case a strong quick symmetric pump of the brakes, should re-inflate the wing automatically. Again practice well timed surge control to avoid other problems. If the canopy recovers asymmetrically simply apply weight shift and brake to the open side (maintain a straight heading) and either wait for the collapse to re-inflate, or assist its re-inflation by long pump on the brake. |
The thing to remember is "Counter the Turn and Pump out the Deflation." Do not be transfixed and panicked by the magnitude of the deflation. It is important to "Look and Feel." Remember a canopy in 'Big Ears' has got a 20% tuck on each side, and although it can look bad there is no immediate danger to the pilot. As a means of descending, competition pilots often induce a 60% tuck and just weight shift the opposite way, using little control line input, and still keep the wing flying safely and on a straight course. |
