Spatial disorientation – when your own senses deceive you; floor markings; Paragra 2D arcade paragliding game
Although the AustroControl article ‘Spatial disorientation – when your own senses deceive you’ (only in German) refers to aeroplane pilots, it also contains some important points for us. I have listed the aspects most relevant to us below. The classic scenario for us paragliders, whether intentional or not, is flying through clouds.
Our vestibular system is designed to reliably detect every movement. Flying a turn whilst inside a cloud can cause a misperception of the aircraft’s attitude (a phenomenon known as ‘The Leans’ ).
It is best to avoid such situations. Kelly Farina’s 45° rule is a good way of ensuring you do not get drawn into a cloud. If you do find yourself drawn into a cloud, the following two methods might help:
- Steep spiral – best suited to experienced pilots who have mastered the steep spiral with confidence.
- Keep your ears clear and, if necessary, increase your speed. The aircraft’s attitude remains stable, and you can choose the shortest route out of the cloud.
Ground markings are rarely used these days, but in a recent incident in Switzerland, a pilot thought the red cross was intended for a precision landing competition. This was not the case; in fact, a rescue operation was underway for a pilot who had been involved in an accident. According to the ICAO recommendation (from page 240), a yellow cross officially indicates a no-landing zone.
Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights longer, there’s time to go on a virtual flight – at least on your smartphone. One app for this is Paragra. I haven’t played it myself. According to its own description, Paragra is a 2D arcade paragliding game. Find thermals, climb beneath the clouds and fly from launch site to launch site. Assess the weather conditions, stay aloft and don’t land too early in a field.
The app is available for iPhone and Android.
