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Translation glossary: Paragliding & Free Flight Glossary

Creator:
Kartik Isaac
Kartik Isaac
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reynold\'s numbera measure of efficiency in fluid dynamics given by the formula Re = (U x D) / v; where U is the velocity of the fluid, D is the frontal height of the obstacle in the fluid, and v is the viscosity of the fluid. In the context of aviation, air is regarded as a fluid with a certain viscosity. This viscosity has greater influence the smaller the airfoil, often reffered to as the scale effect. 
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RibsThe vertical panels that separate cells in a canopy. 
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ridge soaringSoaring in the “lift band” created when a prevailing wind encounters a ridge perpendicular to its direction and is forced upward. Pilots may soar up and down the ridge in this “mechanical” or “dynamic” lift for hours, prompting some to refer to it as “ridge boring.” 
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RisersSuspension lines. The lines that attach a harness to the canopy and hold the canopies angle of attack. 
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RisersA set of 3-4 webbings that collect all the cascading lines from the wing to a single hang point by which the harness is suspended. [Known also as V-bridle] 
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RollRotation about the longitudinal axis which is an axis going forward and back (Lifting or dropping a wing). 
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RootThe center of the wing. 
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rotorTurbulence produced by a large obstacle (such as mountain or ridge) in the path of the airflow, causing a swirling effect on the lee side. You don’t want to go there. Really. 
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RotorTurbulence as a result of being downwind of an obstacle. 
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RotorMechanical turbulence on the lee side of ridges. Must be avoided at all cost. 
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run, run, runWhat bystanders shout to encourage launching pilots. Always repeated three times. 
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SATYou don\'t want to know yet. 
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satacronym for the Safety Acro Team (formed in 1998), a group of paraglider pilots specialising in acrobatics manoeuvres; also, a pilot induced acrobatic manoeuvre created by Raoul and F�lix Rodriguez of the SAT. Whilst in a spiral dive, a stable spin is induced and maintained by the pilot. The centre of rotation is between the pilot and the wing (the pilot ends up travelling backwards). Also known as a reverse or inverted spiral. 
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Saturated airThe air holding the largest possible amount of water vapor. 
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scratchingFlying very close to the terrain. 
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ScratchingFlying low, close to the ground in hope of hooking a thermal. Can be dangerous. 
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Sea smokeFormed at sea due to the difference in temperature between seawater and colder air. When water vapor evaporates it immediately cools and reaches saturation in the cold air. 
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sinkThe opposite of lift. As masses of air rise in thermals, nearby air sinks to occupy the space left behind. Nature abhors a vacuum. Soaring pilots loathe sink. 
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SinkFalling air which makes the glider travel downward faster than normal. 
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SinkA sinking air mass. Commonly found outside thermals, between lift sources or in rotors. 
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sink outTaking the express elevator back to the ground. 
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sink ratea measure of the rate of descent of a paraglider, quoted in metres/second or feet/minute. 
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SitterA pilot who stops running early on take-off and sit in the harness challenging his luck. 
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SIVSimulations of Incidents en Vol (in flight). A paragliding safety clinic where pilots intentionally deflate their wing and learn to re-inflate it. The flights start at 4000\' AGL over a body of water and the pilots carry a series of meneuvers for which they briefed specifically before each flight. The greatest advantage of taking a SIV clinic is that you learn what your wing can do and how not to over-react when things go wrong. A must for every 
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sky god or goddessWhat you become if you manage to speck out while everyone else gets flushed. 
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sky outNo one knows for sure if sky out or speck out is higher. See speck out. 
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sled rideA short flight directly to the landing zone, with no hope of finding lift to extend the flight. At least you get your feet into the air. 
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Sledder (Sled Ride)A straight glide out in the absense of lift. 
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SlipA falling to the inside of a turn due to insufficient push out. 
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Slope landingLanding across a slope or inclination. 
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SoaringFlight extended beyond the normal glide path of the glider. 
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SpanThe total width of a glider from tip to tip. 
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spanthe maximum length of a paraglider, measured from wingtip to wingtip. 
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speck outTo climb to great altitude. From the ground the glider looks like a little speck in the sky. 
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Speed SystemA foot-operated system that increases a paraglider\'s airspeed and decreases its stability. Normally, never applied fully unless the conditions are calm. 
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SpinA violent rotation around one side of the wing. 
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Spiral diveA spiral dive consisting of continuous tight 360 turns. 
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Stability of the atmosphereWhen lower air masses are cooler or with the same temperature of the upper air masses. 
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Stability of the wingTendency for a glider to return to level flight. 
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StabilizerA flap or series of cells at the ends of a canopy to help hold it spread . 
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StallA sudden loss of lift and increase in drag due to an excessive angle of attack. 
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Stalling turnA turn with too much inside brake applied resulting in a dropping back of the inside wing followed by a dive. 
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Steering linesThe control or brake lines used to steer a glider or change its speed. 
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Surface windIs the prevailing wind close to the surface of land and sea and is affected by friction. 
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TailwindA wind from the rear or in the direction of heading. 
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TandemTwo people flying together, the pilot and a passenger. 
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TandemA bi-place wing for a pilot and a passenger. The wing size is almost double that of a solo wing. A tandem wing must be specifically certified as bi-place. The pilot and passenger are suspended from spreader bars (spreaders) which ensure leg room for the pilot who sits behind. 
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tandema recreational (sport) or instructional paragliding flight involving pilot in command and a passenger. Can also be used to describe the glider itself, a canopy with a larger surface area and weight range specifically designed to carry a pilot in command and a passenger. 
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Tell-taleA piece of yarn or cloth on the glider to tell wind direction at takeoff. 
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Thermala warm current of air rising from the sun-warmed earth that can be used to gain altitude while in flight. a common source of low level turbulence. 
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