Deutscher Hängegleiterverband e.V.

Equipment Portal

Bodyguard 3 M

Sicherheitsklasse 3
Bodyguard 3 M

Instability rating

Safety class 1 Safety class 2 Safety class 3 Safety class 4 Safety class 5
asymmetric collapse
course change
forward pitching
height loss
sink velocity
G-Force
Frontal collapse
course change
height loss
sink velocity
Spiral dives
G-Force
Sink velocity after 720°
Maximum sink velocity
Behaviour on brake release
course change after spiral dive exit
Height loss during recovery
Safety class 3
Pilot skill requirements:
Recovery techniques and experience levels greater than those learned in initial training.
SIV training recommended.
Regular flight practice.

Glider characteristics

Launch preparations: easy
launch characteristics: balanced, climbs constantly, no guidance necessary, good feedback during inflation, no braking required, slows before zenith, control check simple, low takeoff speed
asymmetric collapse: canopy colllapses at high angle to leading edge, moderate dynamics, total course change 180-270°, (3), fast course change rate, moderate forward pitching 45-60°, (2), high height loss 40-49 m, (3), moderate sink velocity 15-19 m/s, (2), G-Force < 2,5 G, (1)
Frontal collapse: moderate pitch backwards 30-45°, marked pitch forwards 45-60°, low dynamics, no course change, (1), immediate automatic recovery, symmetric recovery, immediate return to normal airspeed, moderate height loss 30-39 m, (2), low sink velocity 10-14 m/s, (1)
Spiral dives: moderate sink velocity increase, High G-Force 4,0-4,5 G, (3), Sink velocity after 720° <18 m/s, (3), Moderate maximum sink velocity < 18 m/s, (2), sink velocity increase < 3 m/s on brake release, (1), Course change 180-360° after spiral exit, (2), moderate height loss during recovery 30-60 m, (2)
B-Stall: normal force required, moderate pitch backwards 15-30°, moderate pitch forwards 15-30°, stable sink phase, no tendency to deform, immediate return to normal airspeed, < 6 m/s, height loss on recovery < 20 m
big ears: simple initiation, stable flight phase, immediate automatic recovery, Vsink unaccelerated 2,5-3 m/s, Vsink accelerated 3,5-4 m/s, Vunaccelerated 0-3 km/h less than trimspeed, Vaccelerated 0-3 km/h faster than trimspeed

Notes

Launch Characteristic:
All tested models had no real launching problems, none of the gliders showed marked tendencies to hang behind or overshoot the pilot during launching. All 3 LTF-A gliders behaved excellently, smooth inflation and good feedback via the pressure on the A-risers as the canopy climbed to the zenith.

Asymmetric Collapse:
More demanding were the Emotion 2M and Bodyguard 3M from U-Turn. Both these gliders collapse abruptly with a lot of wing area and large folding angles when compared with other gliders in their respective LTF classes. Due to the large resistance of the collapsed part of the wing, large pitch- and yaw-values result. In practice, such massive collapses only occur under severe turbulence, and we have no evidence in our accident statistics that these gliders are particularly dangerous

Front Collapse:
ecovery after massive front collapses is similar to the U-Turn Bodyguard 3M, with no delay and little height loss

Spiral Dive:
Generally not problematic, high G-force.

B-Stall:
Both the Emotion 2 M and Bodyguard 3 M have a special construction on the extra long B-risers to help perform this manoeuvre: a handle with line / pulley attachment. The system works well: with little force (and long travel lengths) gliders enter a minimal B-stall with sink velocities of about -5m/s. The canopies sink at a steep angle rather than the classic vertical sink behavior of most other gliders. Entering and exiting the manoeuvre is accompanied by only little pitch movement. A conventional B-stall can also be performed on both gliders but to do so a long reach is required to grab the B-risers at their tops. Sink velocities increase by 2m/s for the Bodyguard and 3m/s for the Emotion.

Big Ears:
All tested gliders mastered this manoeuvre without any problems. The highest sink velocities (3.5-4.5 m/s) were measured on Novas Ion 2 due to its 2 A-line construction, followed by the Bodyguard M (3-4 m/s) which looses substantial surface area when its wingtips are collapsed. All other gliders lay between 3.5 m/s (trim speed) and 4.5 m/s (accelerated). No glider showed a tendency to oscillate during the manoeuvre, and brake appliance to exit from the manoeuvre was not required.

Rating

Safety class 3

This class of paraglider react moderately to one or more of the following manoeuvres: frontal collapse, asymmetric collapse or spiral dive.
Moderately means that the above manoeuvres result in dynamic reactions from the glider and/or large height losses.

Good piloting skills which need to be regularly practised, together with good personal reaction times which are above basic training levels are required to safely fly this class of gliders.

Skill and experience levels greater than those attained in basic training are required to safely recover from the above manoeuvres. Emergency descent manoeuvres, in particular spiral dives may require advanced recovery skills. Additional training such as regular ground handling or SIV training is recommended.