The 2-Seater Flight

The two-seater flight is very easy. An expert pilot will evaluate flight conditions and prepare the equipment for flight. The sail is made especially to fly supporting a two-seater harness and has been approved for a maximum carrying capacity of approximately 1600 kg or 3200 pounds. After positioning the sail on the take-off slope, adjusting the cords and verifying the harnesses, the passenger's harness is adjusted for comfort and safety and secured. The sensation of the looseness of the straps is normal as it allows for the passenger to stand erect during the take-off run and comfortably sit into the saddle once off the ground. The pilot and the passenger wear helmets.

We are now ready for take-off: The passenger will be placed in front of the pilot and will position the arms between two straps where the cords of the sails converge. The arms are free to allow for better equilibrium during take-off; shortly after take-off the hands are positioned on the straps. Two or three steps forward are taken and then a short run backwards as the sail pulls back during inflation at which point the forward run resumes as the sail continues to rise above, rising higher and higher, and lighter and lighter as it leaves the earth...

 

Once in the air, the passenger sits into the saddle comfortably. In flight the passenger and pilot can speak normally accompanied only by the sound of the wind in the sail. The pilot can adjust the sail easily and the flight is safe and secure. At a speed of approximately 40 km per hour the ground below doesn't seem so far away…The pilot flies the glider using the hand controls attached to the cords of the sail. Turns are executed by movement of the body. These cords are used for guiding the sail and during ascending and descending. The duration of the flight depends on wind currents. At the pilot's discretion maneuvers may be executed including inclined turns where one can experience the pleasant feelings of centrifugal force and a tilted horizon.

In preparation for landing the glider begins its descent and approach to the landing point using a figure "8" maneuver. The ground underneath seems to move quickly as the pilot prepares the sail a meter before landing. The feet support the body on landing in a running position.

After the landing the sail is repacked. This procedure takes only a few minutes.

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