Paragliding - Don't Launch with a Cravat - 24 October 2025 - Whitwell, Tennessee USA скачать в хорошем качестве

Paragliding - Don't Launch with a Cravat - 24 October 2025 - Whitwell, Tennessee USA

I recently took the P3 [Intermediate Paraglider Pilot] written test. One of the questions asked something to the effect of: "...what is the correct 4-step sequence for launch..." This was a multiple choice test. The answer choices were 4 words arranged in 4 different orders. The 4 words were: Control, Accelerate, Decide, Inflate I won't share with you the exact correct answer on the test. I WILL share with you what I believe is a better answer; having just had a situation with launching with a slight cravat in my starboard wing tip. This cravat was a bad error on my part that could have ended up much worse. I should have know. I should have seen it when the wing was inflated overhead and I should have aborted the launch. Moving forward, my launch sequence mantra shall forevermore be: 1) Inflate while Controlling the Wing. 2) Observe [my aircraft and the airspace in my vicinity] while Controlling the Wing. 3) Decide [am I launching or not?] while Controlling the Wing. 4) Accelerate forward while Controlling the Wing. 5) Immediately when off the ground, provide a slight input with both brakes to provide a little more lift. I added the "Observe" action as a precursor to Deciding weather to turn and Accelerate. What we Observe once the wing is inflated and flying overhead should be one of the deciding factors but not the only one. Sensing the wing generating lift; exerting upward force we can feel in the harness is another thing we should sense before "Deciding" anything. Throughout the entire process, our overall intuition about the launch is primary to progressing through the launch sequence and getting off the hill safely. I do not believe "Control" should be only one step in the launch process, but something that must be maintained from Inflation to Landing! Piloting! That's what we need to do from beginning to end! Back to this cravat I had... Maybe a friction knot, maybe a small bit of plant material stuck in the lines, but whatever it was; I didn't see it until I was off the hill and then I realized that starboard wing tip was deformed and I was tracking to the right and loosing a lot of altitude [you can hear the sink alarm]. I had to do a lot of weight shift and some left brake input to stay on course. I yelled to another pilot... "..I got to land, I got a cravat!..." Thinking it was something I could not resolve in the air. A few large brake inputs. Nothing. Then I grabbed the C-Lines on that side and gave it a few pulls and releases. Nothing. I grabbed the starboard outer A-Line [Big Ear Line] and gave it a few pulls and releases... The cravat cleared and the wing was restored to flying normally. I did all this with plenty of altitude so I would not do the same thing in a lower altitude scenario. First and foremost, get control of your flying direction by whatever means is appropriate for the situation, weight shift, rear riser steering or brake input then look for a bailout field or safe landing zone. Live and Learn! Wing Manufacturer: Phi Wing Class: EN-B Model: Beat 2 Light Size: 24 Weight range: 90kg - 110kg Harness Manufacturer: Air Design Harness type: Open, Ultralight, with air bag Model: Le Slip 2 Size: L