GIN Atlas - Manual (Page 16)

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The glider can be steered while in big ears using weight shift alone.
When releasing the lines, the
Atlas’s ears will gradually come out on their own. Release the big
ears at least 100m above the ground. If this is not possible, keep the big ears in until you flare
for landing rather than letting them out on the approach. This is a safer method because of a
possible wind gradient close to the ground and your low airspeed/high wing loading with big
ears in.
Spiral dive
The spiral dive should be considered an extreme manoeuvre. Practice spiralling with caution and
lower sink rates to get a feeling for the
Atlas’s behaviour. Weight shift and pull the brake on
one side gradually. Let it accelerate for two turns and you will enter the spiral dive. Once in the
spiral, your body position will move automatically to the opposite side of the turn. You can
control your descent rate and bank angle by applying more or less inner brake. In fast spirals it
might be necessary to apply a bit of brake on the outside as well to prevent the outer wingtip
from collapsing.
WARNING! A pilot who is dehydrated and/or not accustomed to spiralling can lose consciousness
in a steep spiral dive! As with all types of aircraft, we advise you to assist the glider to exit
from the spiral dive in a controlled manner. To allow the glider to exit from a spiral dive, your
position in the harness must either be neutral, or even better, on the opposite site to the turn
while spiralling. If you release the inner brake the wing will normally exit the spiral
dive by itself. The Atlas has no tendency to stay in a stable spiral, but nevertheless, you should
know how to exit from a stable spiral: weightshift actively to the outside of the turn and pull
the outer brake until you feel the deceleration of the wing and your body moving towards a
more upright position. Then, release the outer brake and let the glider decelerate for one or
two more turns. Apply a short brake action on the inside brake just before the glider exits the
spiral dive completely. This will burn off the remaining energy and avoid a big pendulum
moment after exiting the spiral.