PDHPE YR 10 Elements of Composition Example PARAGLIDING By Mr Overton

Direction 1.Weight-shift left and right along with coordinated left and right controls

Direction 2. Movement along the ridge to stay in lift band

Direction 3. Taking off and landing into wind always

Level 1. Low level – eg Lay back to penetrate forward (low wind resistance)

Level 2. High – stand up when about to land (increases wind resistance)

Dimensions 1. Ridge Soar – – Remain in lift-band (where wind hits the hill and shoots up) – ‘Crabbing’ along lift band – Too far forward – lose lift and land – Too far back wing collapses and potentially dead or badly injured :(

Dimensions 2. XC (Cross Country) – – Seek out and remain in thermals – Once enough height gained seek the next thermal closer to goal

Patterns and Formations 1. Landing – – Standard airport type landing: downwind leg, base leg and then final approach – Field landing: 360deg turns to determine wind direct and strength, then figure eights to lose height (at downwind end of field), then final approach into wind

Patterns and Formations 1. Flying – – Glider with wing-tip closet to hill has right of way, generally ‘follow the leader’ – If head on turn right – Give way to your right – Make all turns away from hill – turn direction is set by the first pilot into the thermal and all other pilots follow his or her lead. See video clip on the link below to understand why this is so important!

Dynamics 1. Take-off – – Sudden, forceful expense of energy to get wing flying and not get dragged – Twist, then sustained pressure on controls once wing inflated as fly off hill

Dynamics 2. Flying – – Slow, smooth control changes to maintain canopy pressurisation and induce turns

Dynamics 3. Landing – – Slow corrections – Gentle flare (pull down on controls) – Don’t try this!...

Force 1.Takeoff – Forceful Flying – Gracefully shift body weight left or right (cross legs to help weight shift) soar like an eagle!

Timing and Rhythm Thermals – Once entered a thermal continue straight until lift starts to drop, count to 3, turn towards the thermal a full 360deg, go straight until lift drops again and repeat!

Self Paced vs Externally Paced Takeoff – Mostly self paced as the pilot chooses when to lift the wing. However, the opportunity to lift the wing is also externally paced as the pilot needs to wait for a cue - the wind to cycle up (or cycle down if too strong). Flying – self paced turns, landings etc. Forced Landing – where wind drops or pilot falls out of lift band, the landing is externally paced! as the pilot has no choice but to setup for a landing. (Skip to end of the clip to see the landing)

Timing (on or off) Landing – flaring at the correct time (pulling gently on controls to stall the wing) will make for a soft landing, whereas flaring too early or late could be dangerous and broken bones may result. A compilation of landings in various conditions...

Relationships Other pilots – Launch etiquette where each pilot waits their turn to launch – More experienced pilots give advice and less experienced pilots listen and take on-board the advice – When flying all pilots follow flight rules and where any uncertainty exists turn away to avoid collisions – All pilots help ensure the sport remains as safe as possible Intermediate Pilots / Novice Pilots – Novice pilots must fly with an intermediate pilot until they have 25hrs flight time Audience – At popular sites there can be many excited spectators! CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) – Runs flight school and provides advice Safety Officer – Monitors safety aspects of flights

Apparatus and Equipment Glider (looks like a parachute but is actually like an aeroplane wing) – Canopy – Lines – Risers – Caribiners Harness Helmet Altimeter Variometer GPS

Team formations, positional play and partnerships XC (Cross country) – Teams, classes such as open fun classes compete strategically for points as they navigate between set points