Canopy knowledge check

Question 1

What gives your canopy its flare power?

Accepted Answer

Airspeed — Airspeed is the speed through the air and is what the wing converts into lift in the flare; ground speed only changes with the wind.

Question 2

On a no-wind day the ground looks fast. Braking a little before the flare to slow down…

Accepted Answer

reduces airspeed — and flare power — so the landing tends to be harder — Adding brake before the flare bleeds off the airspeed you need for the flare.

Question 3

With a tailwind, how does the published advice suggest you flare?

Accepted Answer

The same technique as usual — it will just be faster over the ground — Airspeed is unchanged by wind, so the flare technique stays the same; expect more ground speed and be ready to slide or PLF.

Question 4

The landing priorities put which first?

Accepted Answer

Land with the wing level — 1) wing level, 2) clear area, 3) flare symmetrically to at least half brakes, 4) into the wind.

Question 5

A canopy can stall…

Accepted Answer

at any airspeed, if the angle of attack is too high — A stall is about angle of attack, not speed — which is why rears will not rescue a low turn.

Question 6

Compared with toggle stalls, rear-riser stalls…

Accepted Answer

start more suddenly, though recovery is smoother — AXIS: rear-riser stalls commence more suddenly than toggle stalls, but recovering from them is easier and smoother.

Question 7

Where should rear-riser stall practice happen?

Accepted Answer

On a full-altitude hop-and-pop, clear of traffic, stopping by the height your instructor gives — Practise up high, clear of other canopies — AXIS says to stop stall attempts by 2,500 ft.

Question 8

In a coordinated turn, what leads?

Accepted Answer

The head and eyes — look where you're going, then shoulders and hips follow — Look where you're going, line up head, shoulders and hips, and lean into the harness.

Question 9

'Red mist' means…

Accepted Answer

the urge to swoop no matter what — ignoring traffic, wind or a bad setup — Recognise it and say no: a straight-in landing is always available.

Question 10

After a break from jumping, the skill that fades first is usually…

Accepted Answer

your sight picture — Sight picture fades quickly without currency — rebuild it gradually.

Question 11

On a Performance Designs chart, the exit weight for each category is…

Accepted Answer

the maximum exit weight for that category — PD's chart lists maximum exit weights per skill category, not recommended weights.

Question 12

In FAI carved speed, the course is…

Accepted Answer

70 m along a curved centre line — Carved speed is 70 m along the centre line of a 75° arc; time is measured between electronic gates.

Canopy knowledge check

1. What gives your canopy its flare power?

2. On a no-wind day the ground looks fast. Braking a little before the flare to slow down…

3. With a tailwind, how does the published advice suggest you flare?

4. The landing priorities put which first?

5. A canopy can stall…

6. Compared with toggle stalls, rear-riser stalls…

7. Where should rear-riser stall practice happen?

8. In a coordinated turn, what leads?

9. 'Red mist' means…

10. After a break from jumping, the skill that fades first is usually…

11. On a Performance Designs chart, the exit weight for each category is…

12. In FAI carved speed, the course is…