Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 2: February 2014 | Page 39
consider. It takes an advanced pilot’s expertise to know when
it’s an acceptable risk and when it’s a really, really bad idea. It’s
important to note that this technique is NOT pushing out
and holding it; it is just a quick pitch input to change direction faster and then return to the speed at which you were
originally climbing.
Another time when an advanced pilot might choose to
push out is when a very quick roll input is needed. Pushing
out momentarily increases our G-loading, essentially making
one’s body weigh more. Because we fly weight-shift wings,
weighing more means more control. The catch with this technique is that in smooth air we already have plenty of roll control, so this technique gets used more in strong thermals or
rougher air. In rough air, you don’t want to get caught pushed
out and slow, so this technique works best if you’re flying a
little fast to begin with (which we usually are in rough air)
and are using a quick stab in pitch combined with roll inputs,
only when needed. Again, this is a risk-management scenario,
where pushing out can be pretty risky when timed wrong—
but if a thermal turns you toward the hill, this technique can
save your bacon. Back in the day when gliders were much
harder to turn, this was commonly called a “J turn,” where you
pull in first to gain speed, shift your weight to the side, and
then push out to load up the wing, moving your body in the
shape of the letter J. Modern wings don’t need this excessive
input on a regular basis, only in crucial or dire situations.
There are more scenarios where pushing out might have
some benefit, but they always comes with risks, as described
above. Expert pilots can draw from their experience to
evaluate each situation’s risks and potential rewards and then
decide if pushing out not only suits the situation but also is
worth the additional risks. I, once again, urge newer pilots to
keep it simple and only push out when they want to land or
want to crash.
My final request regarding this topic: If you see someone
pushing out and feel they are not being wise about it—since
many don’t grasp the risks associated with pushing out—
please, please educate them. We’re all in this together, and
keeping each other safe and flying well benefits all! Variable
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