Xplorer Ultraflight Performance Paramotors for powered paragliding We are proud to represent Rescue Parachutes After much research into rescue parachutes for powered paragliding, we have chosen to recommend and to represent the innovative Metamorfosi Conar rescue parachute. Angelo Crapanzano of Metamorfosi has 20 years worth of research and development in rescue parachutes for paragliding and hanggliding. His Classic pull-down apex parachute has been the basis for many other brands. The new Conar concept reduces the size, packed bulk and weight of the parachute, while achieving lower descent rates with most impressive stability. How is this achieved? By generating "lift" off the top of the parachute. The pictures on the right show the innovative design which guides the air escaping through the apex, horizontally over the top curved surface. This in effect forms a donut-shaped wing which generates lift even while descending vertically. The result is an easier to carry parachute, less cumbersome to haul around, and more convenient to pack compactly, yet it offers a lower than traditional descent rate for softer landings. The design also reduces the oscillation normally associated with traditional designs. Vol Libre magazine published a comparison test between Seven popular paragliding rescue parachutes. The results speak for themselves. Review the results at www.xplorer.co.za/conar/test.htm The Metamorfosi is offered in Four sizes for paragliding (also used for powered paragliding). The model names represent the number of Gores. e.g. ConarPG16, ConarPG18, ConarPG20, ConarPG22 Before choosing which size best suits your needs, it is important to read the article entitled HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING EMERGENCY PARACHUTES (design criteria) by Angelo Crapanzano of metamorfosi, at www.xplorer.co.za/conar/design.htm Below is a graph for selecting and appropriate size for each pilot. Ian de Vries delibrately threw his Metamorfosi Conar PG18 reserve at the 2004 Cape Freestyle Fly-in, over Camps Bay. Anthony Allen captured some excellent shots of this. view Ian's Splashdown here Download these video sequences Conar16 Stability Test 712kb Conar18 Sink Rate Test 1048kb Conar20 Structural Strength 487kb Conar22 Sink Rate Test 1057kb

Top view Bridle and lines V-Tabs for easier repairs For your own interest, read about the correct emergency deployment sequence at www.xplorer.co.za/conar/deploy.htm

model	n° gores	weight [kg]	surface[m2]
Conar PG16	16	1,68	22,36
Conar PG18	18	2,02	28,38
Conar PG20	20	2,58	35,11
Conar PG22	22	3,12	42,54

How to use this graph: First, determine your all-up flying weight, including your harness, clothes, instruments, the weight of the reserve itself, and your wing. Eaiest way is to step onto a scale dressed to fly with boots, helmet and flight suit, with your paraglider bag on your back containing your wing, harness and instruments. Now find this weight at the bottom of the graph, and draw a vertical line upwards to the top of the graph, passing through at least One colour line. Each colour line represents a different size Conar reserve. Where your vertical line intersects each reserve size, draw a horizontal line across the entire graph (i.e. to the Left edge as well as to the Right edge). Off the right-edge, you can read the actual descent rate (which will be your landing impact velocity). This number might not mean much to you, so to give you a very good idea of how hard you will hit the ground, read the equivalent jump height off the Left edge of the graph. Now go set up a table or some surface at those heights and try jumping off several times, wearing your flying boots, and practicing a good PLF. Start with the lowest height (representing the larger size reserve), then work up to the higher levels representing the smaller reserves. NB! Aim for the smallest reserve that you feel comfortable with its equivalent jump height!
Do NOT aim at the lowest descent rate! The smaller size will open quicker and more reliably, and will be more compact and lighter to haul around. Take your time exerimenting with jumping from the heights representing the smaller sizes. Most pilots can handle a 6m/s impact with a good PLF without problems. Remember, the Conar has a very stable and constant descent without the surges and oscillations that some other chutes deliver. If a chute surges, its average descent rate might be 6m/s but it might vary between 5m/s and 7m/s or even more, so you need to select a larger size to reduce the risk of impacting during such a surge. Not so with the Conar. As a very rough guide, a typical pilot of 80 to 100kg, carrying a total of 25kg clothing and gear, could use the Conar18 (Blue line n the graph). This is the best-seller size.

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For further information or to order your Metamorfosi Conar Rescue Parachute today,
email Keith Pickersgill of Xplorer UltraFlight at keith@xplorer.co.za or call 082 414-8448 (South Africa)

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