Paraglider Ground School Flashcards
How are the lines described, front to back?
A-Lines
B-Lines
C-Lines
Brake Lines
What is the bar called that your feet rest on?
The Speed Bar
What connects the harness to the risers?
Carabiners
What is the preflight checklist mnemonic?
R-1-2-3-4-S-T-A-R-V-E
Reserve parachute
1 Helmet Strap (securely fastened)
2 Carabiners (gates closed and locked)
3 Harness buckles (secure)
4 Corners [formed by the 2 front and 2 rear risers] (clear, no snags)
Stirrup and speed system (properly attached, clear of the reserve chute)
Top and Turn (make sure the correct riser is on top based on the direction you’ll turn for launch)
Airspace (clear)
Radio (correct frequency, radio check)
V-shape (check for V’s between brake lines and rear risers to avoid brake line twists)
Even pressure (ensure the tension on the A lines is even as you prepare to inflate the glider)
What is the proper body position for launch?
- Chest ahead of the carabiners
- Eyes where you’re going
- Arms swept back
Do not under any circumstances pull the brakes all the way down while flying at an elevation higher than _____ feet AGL
3
What is the typical airspeed (no wind ground speed) of a paraglide?
20 MPH
What is the body position for a PLF?
Feet, ankles, and knees tightly together with a slight bend in the knees
When should you do a forward launch?
High altitude, light wind, or shallow slope
When should you do a reverse launch?
High wind or steep slope
What should you assess in choosing a launch site?
- Slope Angle
- Wind
- Line snag hazards
- Obstructions
- Footing
- Whether an abort is possible
What is the launch body position called?
The torpedo position
What are the two common types of approaches?
The T-approach and the “downwind-base-final” approach
What is the “torpedo” position when launching?
Head and chest forward, hands back and up
When do you get out of the torpedo position?
When you are “clear of launch”
What is an advantage of staying in the torpedo position during launch, until you are clear of launch?
If you get packed up and set back down you can land on your feet and continue to run;
It keeps the glider weighted and prevents your feet from being swung out from under you
What are the safe and acceptable ways to get into your harness?
- Foot stirrup
- Both brakes in one hand on the same side as the reserve; and hooking a harness strap with your other hand while maintaining directional control of the glider.
While flying, how much brake pressure should you maintain on the brake toggles?
About 3-5 pounds, or the weight of your arms when relaxed
When the glider is behind you, what direction should your hands move to maintain your active piloting?
Up
When should you get comfortable in the harness after launch?
When you are well away from launch
When the glider is in front of you, what direction should your hands move to maintain your active piloting?
Down
While getting comfortable in the harness, what should you do with your hands?
Maintain smooth directional control of the glider
If you’re not sure what to do with your hands, what should you do?
Bring them up to shoulder level
How do you lose altitude when approaching a landing zone to avoid overshooting?
Perform turns
What are the three steps to a turn?
- Look
- Weight shift
- Brake
When do you get out of your harness for landing?
At 30+ feet
Why do we look in the direction we want to turn?
To see if anything might be in the way of the turn
To clear the airspace
To start our weight shift
To tell other pilots what direction we intend to turn
How do you land safely with the lowest possible ground speed?
Point the glider into the wind and at 3-4 feet pull both brakes all the way down
What maneuvers are never done close to the ground?
360-degree or sharp turns
Will your flight path be shorter or longer when facing into the wind?
Shorter
What is the advantage of Figure-8 turns when approaching a landing zone?
You fly over the same piece of ground repeatedly without risking overshooting your landing zone
If your glider flies through the are at 20 MPH and you have a headwind of 10 MPH, what is your ground speed?
10 MPH
If your glider flies through the air at 20 MPH and you have a tailwind of 5 MPH, what is your ground speed?
25 MPH
What are the two types of landing approaches?
T-Approach
Downwind-Base-Final
Where should you look during a landing approach?
At the spot you want to land on
What direction do you NEVER fly when landing in a windy landing zone and low to the ground?
Downwind;
“Toward the hill”
If you are lifted a few feet after you have begun your flare, what should you [initially] do?
Keep your hands where they are
If you continue to be lifted after you have begun your flare and are now fairly high, what should you do?
Slowly bring your hands up
Is it better to land on a spot landing target or to land safely?
Uh… safely
When should you analyze the weather conditions to determine their suitability for flying?
- Before arriving at the flying site
- Just before you launch
- Constantly during flight