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Objectives:
This lesson is intended to help describe some common pilot induced paragliding problems and provide rule of thumb tips to look for in order to prevent flying in these conditions. Pilot Induced Problems
Pilot induced problems stem from pilots making wrong decisions:

1. inadvertent pilot actions, or
2. deliberate but excessive pilot control inputs

Inadvertent pilot actions can be attributed to lack of pilot awareness or sensitivity as to how minimal their margin of safety is at times during flight. Pilot complacency, is a large problem when pilots become to comfortable in their ability. Remember it is that little tinge of fear we get when we launch or hit a big thermal that usually keeps us respectful and in the end alive. Deliberate but excessive pilot control inputs can be attributed to lack of knowledge of the risk of their "over control."

Both of these problems can be difficult, but the most important factor in recovery from any problem is to think. We will not argue if it is better to steer then clear or head back hands up to solve the problem. But the pilot must think, look at the canopy, what is the malfunction? Is it a serious problem that requires immediate action based on a deliberate sequence of events or is it a problem that can be solved by a deep breath and a simple control input. I have heard many pilots say that reaction time is critical especially at low altitude. This is true, but one must always be aware of their time/space, are you low, then yes immediate reaction, perhaps to the reserve. Do you have altitude to play for a few seconds and decide what the next step should be? If so yes, take that moment to think. Know where you are and pilot reaction/overreaction will become less likely.

Wake Turbulence Induced Collapse: One additional problem that is not induced by either conditions or pilots is canopy collapse due to wake turbulence from the presence of other traffic. This collapse may take the form of:

• pitch up as when entering a thermal, and/or
• an asymmetric collapse, and/or
• a frontal collapse.