As a high-end long-distance paraglider, the OMEGA 8 is designed for accelerated flight in turbulent air. Because today’s accelerated flying plays a decisive role in performance-hungry paragliding, a high average speed is the critical factor for success on long flights. It calls for continual adjustment of speed depending on the prevailing headwind, sink rate and anticipated climb in order to obtain both best glide and also the shortest flight time to cloud base. This is why the SPI is of particular importance to the OMEGA 8.
Based on careful calculations from the polar curve five positions with values for prevailing headwind ⇐, sink rate (both values measured in un-accelerated flight) and the expected next rate of climb are provided on the back of the D-risers. Lining up the sliding red speed system indicator on the SPI scale gives a precise setting for best performance for the air you are flying through. The positions specified on the SPI only apply to any one of the three listed values per position, considered by itself. The principle of the SPI is based on the simple and expanded McCready speed-to-fly theory.
Example: the first speed bar position applies to either 18.5 km/h headwind or 1.9 m/s descent rate (Vario) or an expected (Vario) average next climb rate of 0.9 m/s (see 1 in the illustration).
If headwind, descent rate and expected climb are considered in combination, the correct speed bar position is more than cumulative because the polar curve is not a straight line.
Example: If the headwind is 18.5 km/h and the sink rate is 1.9 m/s, then your speed bar setting should be somewhat faster than the second position on the SPI (see 2 in the illustration). If an expected climb of 0.9 m/s is considered as well, you should be pushing well past position three on the SPI (see 3 in the illustration).
