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PHI Tenor 23

Sicherheitsklasse 4
PHI Tenor 23

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 4
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.
Advanced piloting skills and regular flight practice necessary.

Glider characteristics

Launch preparations: average
launch characteristics: balanced, climbs constantly, no guidance necessary, good 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, moderate forward pitching 45-60°, (2), 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, marked pitch backwards 45-60°, moderate pitch forwards 30-45°, low dynamics, no course change, (1), variable recovery behaviour, at times immediate, at times delayed, automatic recovery, (3), symmetric recovery, , , delayed return to normal airspeed, short deep stall phase, , very high height loss >50 m, (4), moderate sink velocity 15-19 m/s, (2)
Spiral dives: moderate sink velocity increase, Moderate G-Force 3,5- 4.0 G, (2), Sink velocity after 720° <14 m/s, (1), Very high maximum sink velocity <25 m/s, (4), sink velocity increase < 6 m/s on brake release, (2), Course change 180-360° after spiral exit, (2), moderate height loss during recovery 30-60 m, (2)
B-Stall: high force required, moderate pitch backwards 15-30°, moderate pitch forwards 15-30°, stable sink phase, low deformation tendency, , immediate return to normal airspeed, 6-8 m/s, height loss on recovery < 20 m
big ears: simple initiation, stable flight phase, wingtips flatter a little, transition to deep stall, delayed automatic recovery, Vsink unaccelerated 3,5-4 m/s, Vsink accelerated 4-4,5 m/s, Vunaccelerated 3-5 km/h less than trimspeed, Vaccelerated 3-5 km/h faster than trimspeed
Steering behaviour: balanced to agile, 75 cm brake travel range, very noticable brake pressure increasse, Late stall point, easily identifiable

Notes

Rating

Safety class 4

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

Advanced piloting skills which need to be regularly practised, together with good personal reaction times are required to safely fly this class of gliders. Basic recovery techniques for ending a manoeuvre are not sufficient to maintain control, reduce height loss to a minimum and prevent subsequent critical reactions. 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.

Additional experience such as regular ground handling and SIV training is required to safely fly gliders of this class. Special training or pilot skills which exceed standard training may be required for the safe performance of emergency descent techniques. Gliders of this Safety Class are not suitable for beginners, irregular flyers or low-airtime pilots.