This packing and pre-flight technique works best for sites where you usually reverse launch in thermal or strong laminar conditions. It may require some modification for low wind forward launches
Using this technique can reduce your the time to setup and launch to 10 minutes or less. This means you can confidently leave your glider completely packed until its time to fly, leaving you focus on observing the conditions in the sky.
The steps you take after each flight are just as important as the ones you do before launch. Try and pack your glider exactly the same way every time, and you will develop your own custom variation that suits your packing style.
AFTER YOUR FLIGHT:
PRE-FLIGHT SETUP
Steps 1 thru 6 are done in the setup area. Once you are ready to launch, grab the glider still folded up and walk to the launch area in your harness with your glider in front of your chest. It's a lot easier to walk like this than with a bunch of lines in your hand and the glider over your shoulder. Lay the glider down in front of you up the hill, then proceed with steps 7-11.
Using this technique can reduce your the time to setup and launch to 10 minutes or less. This means you can confidently leave your glider completely packed until its time to fly, leaving you focus on observing the conditions in the sky.
The steps you take after each flight are just as important as the ones you do before launch. Try and pack your glider exactly the same way every time, and you will develop your own custom variation that suits your packing style.
AFTER YOUR FLIGHT:
- After a flight, turn around and face the glider in reverse launch position.
- Kite the glider to get a nice little wall, then bunch up the lines in one hand as you walk right up to the trailing edge.
- Place the lines carefully on the glider.
- Unclip your harness and put it on the ground, as close as possible to the glider, leaving the harness in the reverse launch position facing the glider.
- Tidy the remaining lines so all are on the glider and none tuck under the trailing edge.
- Walk around to the leading edge, and layer the mylar/nylon together one by one, then secure with a strap.
- Back at the trailing edge, concertina up the rest of the glider and roll/fold to fit your particular glider bag.
- Carefully pack glider and harness in the backpack to avoid twists of the risers. This last step requires a different technique for every combination of glider, backpack and harness. The objective is to be able remove the glider back from the harness in exactly the orientation that you put it into the back.
PRE-FLIGHT SETUP
- Walk to your final launch spot with the glider still in the backpack. If the launch is busy or you are in a competiton, this may not be possible. See the variation at the end.
- Taking glider and harness out of the bag, and place the harness in the reverse launch position facing up the hill, with the glider up the hill about 3 ft (1 meter) from the harness.
- If you've been careful, the risers will still be crossed in the reverse launch position exactly the way you packed them. You may need to turn the glider over for this to work.
- Now, remove your glider from it's bag and unroll it up the launch in a straight line, being careful not to tangle your feet in the lines. Stow the inner bag in your harness. These are usually compact so can often fit in a cockpit or outside harness pocket.
- Step carefully into your harness, in your reverse launch position facing the wing. This can be a little awkward if the hill is steep, so don't trip over backwards!
- Once you are clipped in, put your helmet and gloves on. If you have a pod harness, connect the leg cover. Turn instruments on and check your flight deck, reserve handle, water, etc
- Walk carefully up to the leading edge and release the strap around the layered up leading edge. Stow the strap in your flight deck or harness with the inner bag.
- Pull out the leading edge cell by cell from the center to each wing tip, making a very compact layout (no more than 8 feet from side to side) in an steep upside down V. You should not need any assistance to do this. It can also be done in fairly strong wind because the opening cells will be close enough together that the glider is very unlikely to spontaneously inflate.
- Find the A risers, and with them in your hands slowly back away from the glider until the center A lines are pulling up the leading edge.
- Using the center A's, inflate just the first few cells in the middle. Once these are inflated, a couple of sharp tugs to bring the leading edge into wind will usually inflate the glider out cell by cell right to the wing tips, without any further assistance. If the wind is light, you may need to ask someone for assistance with this step.
- Do a line check to look for any tangles, sticks, etc.
- Use your usual reverse technique to launch or;
- Turn around if you are going to forward launch.
Steps 1 thru 6 are done in the setup area. Once you are ready to launch, grab the glider still folded up and walk to the launch area in your harness with your glider in front of your chest. It's a lot easier to walk like this than with a bunch of lines in your hand and the glider over your shoulder. Lay the glider down in front of you up the hill, then proceed with steps 7-11.