Paraglider flapping to get down

A way to increase your sink rate without getting deep on the brakes. It's an advanced technique and like anything that might stall your wing, you should practice it high up before you get close to the ground. I find the little rapid flaps cause the air to detach from the top surface causing a big increase in sink rate with a small loss of speed. The large flaps are coming almost to the point of the stall and I generally don't do them until I am at a height I am happy to drop onto my feet from. Apart from an inadvertent stall the other danger is being asymmetric and causing a spin. I consider it suitable for smooth air when you can safely loose speed, in rougher air or stronger conditions I generally use steep turns to loose height as it keeps my speed high.

[@markmcgoveran6811]

I love the happy sound of The wind in the lines because if you start to go into a spiral dive all of a sudden it'll start getting uglier in in about 4 seconds it'll be screaming at you.

[@xistsixt]

Been asking my teacher about this technique and he said please forget that asap, very outdated and unpredictable. We Do it with controlled brake input.

[@hangflyer]

Flapping is controlled brake input! When you hold the brakes you lose airspeed. When you flap you cause the air to separate from the wing preserving airspeed but increasing the sink rate. Any technique requires a lot of practice to develop the skills to use it safely. I did not start flapping until I had about 200hrs logged, it is a very advanced technique and it would be easy to get it wrong. Doing anything that might result in a surge or a spin near the ground is dangerous.

[@xistsixt]

@@hangflyer thx for the detailed input. I hope you know that I am not here to criticize. Just the opinion of my teacher. I am still a rookie and my goal is to learn as much techniques possible to decide what works best.
So I certainly will try it out after enough practice time.

[@hangflyer]

@@xistsixt The more knowledge you can gather the better pilot you become. Certainly trust your teacher, he should be able to asses your skills and as you progress will guide you safely to more advanced techniques and wings. I would recommend that everyone reads Dennis Pagen Understanding the Sky as it really teaches you about the weather we fly in. I would also Recommend you watch any tutorial videos you can find from Greg Hammersley and Jocky Sanderson about advanced wing control techniques. It might be too early for you start practicing, but just understanding how the wing will react and what your immediate input should be will make you a safer pilot. Fly Safe and have fun!

[@Jhchanghm]

You do deep pump and quick release, avoid disturbing upper surface, sudden stall.. you know.

[@MRcanadaification]

🤣