ground handling (back flying)

A bit of a play around with the wing when it was a bit too light to take off. Less stressful than scratching low above rocks and water, and seemed to keep onlookers entertained as well :)
I'm not an instructor or acro expert... if you disagree with what I say or have something to add make some comments on the video!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• paragliding
• Canungra
• southeast
• Queensland
• parapente
• ground
• handling

[sharemyjoys]

With flying it to the side, the advantage is a gust will pull you sideways, not up and off your feet, and you don't have to go through the power zone (where you have a high angle of attack, lots of drag = lots of loading = lots of acceleration = hard to stop overshoot and must move quickly to avoid getting dragged or lifted). Oh, and it's fun :)

[sharemyjoys]

Just wanted to add something - in stronger winds, you can fly it the same way - if you're not sure if it's too strong to fly right way up maybe try back flying first to get a feel for it. The principles are the same - same angles of attack / brake travel, sits in the same position - only everything happens faster. The same analogy as when you have a heavily loaded wing - things happen faster, you need to react quicker. Back flying needs you to be very sensitive and quick on your inputs = fun!

[MWparapente]

Thanks mate,

tried it at cooks on the weekend. I found the spot after a few goes and got rid of some sand and manilla grass.

I feel more comfortable with the wing as a result.

Cheers

Mat