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Why are the cell openings slightly pointed down?

To increase the aerodynamic properties of the paraglider. Because the airflow is coming from the front and below at an angle. To enable dirt or dust to fall out easily. To achieve a venturi effect.

The cell openings are positioned where the air flow hits the profile of the airfoil.

During daily inspections you notice a tear of about 2.5cm or one inch in the canopy of your paraglider. What do you do?
1. You fix the tear with ripstop tape on both sides of the fabric.
2. You take the glider to a dealer or manufacturer to have it professionally repaired.

1 is correct. 2 is correct. Neither 1 nor 2 are correct. 1. is a temporary solution, go for 2. as soon as possible.

You can fix a tear smaller than about 5cm (2 inches) yourself. Larger repairs should be done by a professional.
See the chapter on Equipment.

What do we call the risers that are connected to the lines running to the leading edge of the canopy?

A-risers B-risers C-risers D-risers

These are the A-risers connected to the A-lines.

What happens when you fly too slowly?

The wing collapses. The glider will enter a deep stall. Nothing, you can fly as slow as you want.

Below the minimum speed or stall speed, the wing stops flying and will descend straight down like a parachute. This is a very unstable situation and often leads to a spin or stall.
See the chapters on Aerodynamics (stalls) and Advanced flying.

Despite a good flare, you have a lot of speed just before touching down, because you landed with the wind in your back. What do you do?

You land on your feet and try to run it out during landing. You pull in your legs and land on your bum - the foam protector or airbag in your harness will absorb the blow. You stretch out your legs and land on your back. This ensures the airbag gives maximum protection. On touch down you drop forward and catch the fall with your arms.

A is the safest option if you're not familiar with a PLF (parachute landing fall) which needs practise. Your legs are much stronger than your back or arms.

Although on a flat grassy surface, you could get away with answer B, it can be very dangerous when stones, holes or other objects are hidden in the grass.

Using the protection in your harness as a landing option is not safe - would you park your car against a wall at full speed because the airbags will catch the blow?

Which pre-launch check is the most important?

Checking the lines and canopy are laid out cleanly. Checking your flight instruments. Checking your leg straps are fastened. Checking if there is sufficient thermal activity.

Even though all newer harnesses have a safety feature to prevent you from falling out of the harness if you forget your leg straps, this is very uncomfortable and on an older harness it may be a fatal mistake. Checking lines and canopy is of course very important as well.
See the section on Launching in the Basic techniques chapter.

How tight does the chest strap of the harness need to be?

As tight as possible, so you can't fall out of the harness and you will be stable in your harness in a turn. There needs to be 42-46 cm between the karabiners, about the length of your arm from elbow to fist. Most paragliders are designed and tested with the chest strap of the harness at that width. It doesn't matter, as long as the buckles are secure. It doesn't matter. The chest strap is only needed during take-off, but you may as well leave it open as you are secured in the harness by your leg straps.

A short distance beween the karabiners results in a stable flight but enhances the risk of twisting, for example after a collapse.

A large distance between the karabiners results in a higher sensitivity to weight shift but also to more dynamic reactions of the paraglider.

A paraglider glides down through the air. But at what speed?

The forward speed is over 50 km/h and the sink rate around 10 km/h. The forward speed is over 50 km/h and the sink rate around 1 m/s. The forward speed is around 35-40 km/h and the sink rate around 1 m/s. The forward speed is around 35-40 km/h and the sink rate around 0,1 m/s.

These are all speeds relative to the air!

When is the best time to put your legs down during the landing approach?

As soon as you can see the landing field. After you have burned off excessive height and start your landing circuit. At the last moment during the landing flare. When you are on the final leg of the landing circuit.

D is the safest option. The others are either uncomfortable and unwanted because you can't use weightshift anymore, or unsafe if you are too late and land on your bum risking a back injury.

How tight do you need to pull the leg straps of the harness?

As tight as possible so you won't fall out of the harness and you won't move from side to side in a turn. As loose as they will go so you can easily accelerate during take-off and the circulation in your legs is not hindered. That doesn't matter, as long as the buckles are secure. They need to be loose enough that your flat hand can just fit between the straps and your legs. That way your movements aren't hindered too much and you can still get into the harness easily after take-off.

The tightness of the leg straps does not influence the flying properties of the paraglider.

When the leg straps are too loose, after take-off you will find yourself hanging low under the seat and it's more difficult to get in the harness.

Too tight will hinder your movements during take-off, depending on the harness design. In some harnesses it will prevent you from getting into the seat fully.

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