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GRADIENT Golden5 26

Sicherheitsklasse 5
GRADIENT Golden5 26

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
collapse on opposite wingtip
cravat
G-Force
Frontal collapse
course change
Speed (Recovery)
pilot action (Recovery)
cravat
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 5
Pilot skill requirements:
Pilots should be able to recognise the onset of instability and be able to prevent or minimise glider reactions through immediate and precise pilot inputs.
Expert piloting skills and regular flight practice (>50 hour per year) necessary.

Glider characteristics

Launch preparations: easy
launch characteristics: balanced, delayed climb, needs gentle guidance, minimal feedback during inflation, little 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 90-180°, (1), moderate course change rate, marked forward pitching 60-75°, (4), moderate height loss 30-39 m, (2), low sink velocity 10-14 m/s, (1), , , G-Force < 2,5 G, (1)
Frontal collapse: canopy collapses with high total collapse aera, moderate pitch backwards 30-45°, moderate pitch forwards 30-45°, moderate dynamics, Continual rotation >360°, (5), stable closed frontal collapse, no automatic recovery, (5), symmetric recovery, simple pilot action required, (4), horseshoe, wingtips at rear, delayed return to normal airspeed, short deep stall phase, , Simple pilot action required to end height loss (4), low sink velocity 10-14 m/s, (1)
Spiral dives: moderate sink velocity increase, Moderate G-Force 3,5- 4.0 G, (2), Sink velocity after 720° <14 m/s, (1), Moderate maximum sink velocity < 18 m/s, (2), sink velocity increase < 3 m/s on brake release, (1), Course change 90-180° after spiral exit, (1), low height loss during recovery < 30 m, (1)
B-Stall: normal force required, marked pitch backwards 30-45°, marked pitch forwards 30-45°, stable sink phase, no tendency to deform, , immediate return to normal airspeed, 6-8 m/s, height loss on recovery < 20 m
big ears: simple initiation, stable flight phase, , , immediate automatic recovery, Vsink unaccelerated 3-3,5 m/s, Vsink accelerated 3,5-4 m/s, Vunaccelerated 0-3 km/h less than trimspeed, Vaccelerated 3-5 km/h faster than trimspeed
Steering behaviour: balanced to agile, 65 cm brake travel range, Noticable brake pressure increase, normal stall point, easily identifiable

Notes

Rating

Safety class 5

This class of paraglider reacts very demandingly to one or more of the following manoeuvres: frontal collapse, asymmetric collapse or spiral dive and may present pilots with a particular challenge.
Very demandingly means that the above manoeuvres result in highly dynamic reactions from the glider, and/or large height losses. Critical subsequent glider reactions are also to be expected.

Expert piloting skills achieved through constant practice, fast personal reaction times and precise pilot inputs are required to be able to immediately react to the above manoeuvres to maintain flight control and prevent large height loss or subsequent critical glider reactions. In particular, pilots should be able to recognise the onset of the above manoeuvres and be able to prevent or minimise their effects through immediate and precise pilot inputs.