PG Tutorial: Mitsos' (A's and C's) for Reverse Inflation

[@hadrobinson4443]

Superb job Steve! I've got raw vid on it but never got around to it as I'm not the software expert you are. Thank you for creating this important tool that will help pilots avoid accidents at at launch.

[@NelsonsWings]

Thanks! Good to hear from you. It was your encouragement that led me to use this method. Its been invaluable over the years. I'm working on adding a few links in the description of bad things that can happen when pilots can't kill the wing with Cs.

[@EduardoMartinez-ys6fb]

I have just completed my club pilot. I wanted to learn how to reverse launch using A -Cs. As a novice it seems the logical and best way. As I was ground handling my instructor came along and told me straight to stop doing it. I was very cross with him and confused as to why he would do that, then I found out the real reason, the instructors wanted to keep control of the Cs themselves when assisting novices like me to take off. Even though they signed me off as being able to reverse launch, I only ever did it assisted with them controling the Cs. I'm back home now to learn the A-C method by myself without their 'help' and with the help of your awesome video.

[@NelsonsWings]

Thanks for the kind words! I always advise people to follow the instructors' directions, but once you are a fledgling you can experiment and figure out what works best for you. I now have my first 2-line EN C wing, and surprisingly this method works with it too.

[@jks313]

I would make one alterations to this demonstration. With the hand on the C’s/rears, you grip the riser set with the palm up. I suggest gripping them with the palm down. Why? This launch technique is best used when winds are strong. A palm-down grip utilizes a stronger muscle group with more deflection range, should you need to kill the wing in strong conditions. The pull when killing the wing becomes a combination of the hand coming into the chest combined with a twisting motion from palm down to palm up. It’s much more effective. In very light-wind conditions, consider using the A’s & brakes launch technique. Thanks for this video.

[@NelsonsWings]

Thank you for watching and for your thoughtful comment! Regarding A risers and brakes in light wind; I prefer using A's and C's for that too. It works perfectly for me, and I never have to learn a different method of holding the risers. I find it useful for killing the wing precisely even in light wind, and setting it back down exactly where I want it. I never have to reset and restore my grip on the A risers, the way I would if I use As and brakes and have to set the wing back down after releasing the A's There's another reason why having the C risers in hand, even in light wind , is useful for our area launches. They are so rocky, and filled with cactus, bushes and other things that catch the lines, that only by having control of the back of the wing can I be more assured that I'm not catching lines and snagging them. What I don't show in most of my videos is the process of carefully building a wall, lifting the wing slightly off the ground, checking to make sure the lines are clear, and then setting it back down and walking forward slightly to make sure that the rear lines - both brakes and C's - are not caught on something I'm just not comfortable with my palms down. It is certainly valid and often used, but something about the geometry of my forearms makes that not work for me. I also find it harder to steer when my right arm is crossed all the way to the left, underneath my left arm which is holding the A risers. Just 3 days ago, I was plucked slightly on a difficult windy launch - not one of the ones in this video. I had no trouble controlling it with my current method of gripping the C risers. But if palms down works better for you, please do it!

[@SH-qj8wd]

After so many frustrating trials to understand and manage how to take the As and Cs in the Mitsos technic you gave me a perfect instruction by your video today. I got it now;) Thanks a lot!!

[@NelsonsWings]

Wow! That's great to hear. I'm super happy it helped. Even after 700 flights or so, I still have so much to learn about launches and landings. That's part of what makes paragliding such as fascinating activity.

[@PGdegasCanada]

Hi Steve, Nice job with the clear instruction by use of the helmet cam. ;-) I have shared this video with Mark and I am sure that he will appreciated it. The video we made at Stanwell Park in Australia 13 years ago is getting the technique out there, but your close up illustration is great. I have also added an "on launch" high wind application video to my channel since then - a while back as well.

[@NelsonsWings]

Well, this is very nice to actually talk to someone who knows Mr Mitsos! I have to give credit to my first instructor Hadley Robinson, for insisting all his students learn this technique.

[@Paiadakine]

Thanks for this. I learned the a-c riser reverse launch last weekend from a more advanced buddy. I never figured out how to steer. But you showed me. Now I want to try it can’t wait till tomorrow.

[@NelsonsWings]

Wow, that's great to hear! Just be aware that it can take dozens and dozens of inflation before you get the hang of doing the steering part. I still sometimes mess things up a little, the one great thing about using the technique is that if you have to set the wing down you can usually re-inflate it without moving your hands off of the risers and resetting. Another thing to keep in mind is that there's a natural tendency to want to hold your hands apart, which can mess things up because as you bring the wing up, the A riser hand will be offset from the C riser hand, and the wing will come up crooked. The fix is to bring the C hand over a little farther than directly under the A hand, so you start the inflation with your hands slightly crossed. That counteracts the natural tendency for your hands to stay separated with your left hand to the left and your right hand to the right.

[@wildflyingbc]

This is the video that I learned proper reverse launch technique from, thanks!

[@NelsonsWings]

Thank you, that is very kind! Weather here is horrible (for flying), feet have not left the ground for 4 weeks.🤔😥

[@isaaco8056]

Thank you good info for newbies

[@MrCoolcool666]

I had Mitzo help me a couple months at down at Stanwell as a new flier, south of Sydney Australia. A great place to fly!! He's a nice guy too!!

[@NelsonsWings]

Amazing!

[@marceberhardt2141]

Great video. Thx for taking the time to share.

[@NelsonsWings]

Thanks for watching! I'm an unpaid spokesman for the Mitsos inflation method lol

[@lizh8135]

That was great thank you for the information

[@NelsonsWings]

You are most welcome, thanks for watching!

[@ripmanridin7092]

Nice demonstration...........I will try this out today at the beach!

[@NelsonsWings]

I miss the beach.

[@MitchG]

Well done!

[@NelsonsWings]

Can you tell I have COVID boredom... reduced to making tutorial vids lol

[@justindavies8343]

Great video! I use the C’s to pin the glider down at launch on windier conditions but never thought to use them to launch with. I too have the Geo 6 so I will be looking forward to practice this technique when the UK weather allows! Thanks again.

[@NelsonsWings]

Thanks! Hope you get some decent flying weather soon. I love UK PG videos, lovely clouds and landscape

[@danielquick6004]

Thanks! I got the GEO 6 mainly after your feedback. I love it! Flew Marshal Sunday had a long flight - flew out to the university and back amongst other places. Personally, I'm more confident on the GEO, the feedback seems damped compared to the Nyos. The air was very active - gusty and strong thermals, but where I might have thought I've had enough of this washing machine I found myself going back for more. Definitely going to switch back and forth between the Nyos and the GEO. I could tell the Nyos had more performance but the GEO was just more fun. Thanks for all your input.

[@NelsonsWings]

The GEO is a good wing, but in really thermic conditions, the Nyos' RAST will save your bacon. You will notice I'm not flying my GEO in big air. If your Nyos seems twitchier, it might be the 5.7 aspect ratio compared to 5.15 on the GEO. It might also be wing loading.

[@jamesbrindley4507]

Very important info....brakes are ok only in light winds...A+C works in any conditions

[@NelsonsWings]

And the ability to hold the wing down and kill it is a big safety advantage.

[@SkidzFPV]

I taught myself this method and it is definitely my favorite, not sure why school doesn’t teach this method but after a pluck from inflation with brakes and A’s I had to learn this method and much better off

[@NelsonsWings]

Excellent! Good for you. I was lucky because my 1st instructor, Hadley Robinson, taught it to all his students. He was PG instructor of the year, I think 2017.

[@mcbrite]

I struggled a little with my new C wing on Tenerife over the last week... I wanted to fall back to the method shown here, but one of the instructors said "never use that, it's bullshit" and I kept struggling with A and Brakes technique, instead. - What I'm trying to say: I think a lot of instructors just preach their own technique, because they have used it for many years (over 30 years in the example of my instructor) and don't ever try new stuff. I'm normally pretty Independent, so I should have just done my own thing like I do when I fly alone...

[@NelsonsWings]

I have always wanted to fly Tenerife! Lucky you! There are at least 4 different methods of inflation. All work with varying degrees of success. I like Mitsos, but I'm not religious about it.

[@flightographist]

This was part of my training required before cliff launches, better control than full a and brake inflation such as on a sloped launched with room to maneuver.

[@SkidzFPV]

@@flightographist it seems that some instructors don’t teach mitsos technique unless you ask for it in my area, but it’s a good tool to have in your arsenal for different conditions and/or sites.

[@Get_Some_Nature]

Thank you for this!!! So helpful!!!

[@NelsonsWings]

Thanks! Warms my heart to hear it. The real credit goes to my first instructor Hadley Robinson, who insisted all his students master this method.

[@ParaglidingChronicles]

Nice and informative video, good job, subscribed 👍

[@NelsonsWings]

Thanks, that's very kind. Subbed back! I'm working on the SwiftSix video, please stand by.

[@turkeyphant]

How do you control the roll axis with a B-C bridge?

[@mcbrite]

I like 2:30 the best, because I never knew which way to pick up the risers... And you also turn left, like me... ^^ Similar to when you're a beginner and sometimes start with brake handle wrapped once round the risers, because you haven't learned following the rear riser down to the brake... :-D

[@NelsonsWings]

Thank you! That was one of the goals of this video, to show the steps for getting each inner A and the Cs in each hand. It's easier to show than to describe; "always start with the inner A on the riser group that is on the bottom, pass it under the top riser group and then hold it with the hand that is on the side toward which you turn" is just not easy to understand, but seeing it makes it clear.

[@WBtimhawk]

Interesting ! I've recently become a fan of this method but I can tell there is something slightly wrong with the way I do it. And I think I've figured out what by watching your video. I don't really scissor left and right but give it more of a pull or release instead. I also hold the Cs with a reverse grip. The wind is looking quite good for this week-end, so hopefully I can try it your way and see if that works better with my Aonic : )

[@NelsonsWings]

Many people like the reverse grip, mostly because it allows more force on the Cs with less chance of them slipping out of one's grip. I find that grabbing the mallions and slipping the brake pully attach between fingers provides enough grip, and that also allows easy scissoring. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@shawnwalden2669]

i don't know about this second nature thing, i get so confused on what goes were lol, i have 22 flights but now i want to start kiting in my local feild.... that has nothing around, but im nervous! thanks for taking the time to make this

[@NelsonsWings]

Kiting is usually fun, but be sure wear your helmet. I have grass stains on mine from being dragged. All kinds of people who give you advice about kiting, what to do how to move where to hold your hands, this and that, but there's no substitute for just getting out there and kiting day after day and learning it on your own. I was terrible at kiting while listening to my instructor because I cant listen and do at the same time. When i finally bought my own wing and went by myself, i improved quickly.

[@shawnwalden2669]

@@NelsonsWings thank you for this comment and advice my friend. I'm glad I found your channel ❤️

[@mcbrite]

No need to be nervous, just be smart about it! 1. Take power out of the sail by walking toward it, as it comes up. 2. If you start getting out of control, choose 1 line set (As, Bs or Cs) and pull them as hard as you can, wing will die instantly. They all work for different reasons, but they all work. As keep wing front stalled, Bs fold the wing in half horizontally, Cs will kill wing similar to brakes, but with less lift and more effective. 3. If you are too disoriented, getting dragged, or don't have time to think: Pull the brakes and keep wrapping them and wrapping them and wrapping them until wing is dead. Why you should do A, B or C instead: Less chance of getting pulled off your feet, getting dragged and so on.

[@NelsonsWings]

Good advice. The brake wrap thing is really good while you are in your feet, but hard to do while being dragged over rocks. If being dragged think fast and grab the line set that is best for the configuration the wing is in, for example if the leading edge is up, induce a frontal with As, but be ready for it to re-inflate.

[@wailalenizi]

I remember doing this ten years ago but couldn't continue flying unfortunately due to life!

[@NelsonsWings]

I completely understand. That's one reason I waited until I was 58 years old, and my daughter was married, and had finished college.

[@VineetKumar-i3y]

Thanks much for such a clear demonstration. I had a quick query on the brakes, holding it in the palms vs bangling them on the wrists. While I follow what you have shown (holding the brakes in palms), there have been instances where when I turn around the brakes have slipped out of my hands. The remedy suggested to me has been to have the brakes around the wrist (which for some reason I have not been comfortable yet as when I turn I do not have the brake feeling with it not being in my palms). Any suggestions on this. Thanks again!!

[@NelsonsWings]

That's a valid question. Perhaps one out of every 50 flights I might let go of the brake toggles as I turn, but it's not a huge problem. I would definitely say do not put your wrists through the toggles. That means that as you turn, you're going to have to slip your hands down to grab the padded part of the toggles and that would result in an instant of lack of control. Try both ways and let us know!

[@johnchristopher5201]

@@NelsonsWings Hi Nelson. Thanks for the video, I'm just starting to tackle Mitsos now and found your precise instructions very useful. As to @user-dn1js7cx7r's question, this is something I have struggled with as well and I was interested in your response. My instructor also teaches the technique of holding breaks in hands however I found I was frequently dropping them. Perhaps this was just because I was still learning how to ground handle but shortly after qualifying I switched to a breaks-around-wrists approach throughout my prep and inflation. I haven't found any problems in controlling my Gin Bolero in the reverse position with my hands through the toggles and holding the breaks lines just above the maillons. Before moving from the inflate to the turn phase, I take the opportunity to get my breaks in hand (and also drop my weight and triple check my turn direction). I've found this is the best compromise for me, as I am at no risk of losing control of the breaks during the prep, inflation or control phases, but still have the breaks comfortably in hand before launching. I am very interested in your thoughts on this as I really do want to do whatever is safest.

[@RS-ku9qc]

A very good explanation, Thanks. Curious, your method is a bit different than Kelly Farina’s explanation. (He’s using both brakes w one hand). Any comment regarding this? Very muddy in my field, so no practice today, Thanks for the great vid.

[@NelsonsWings]

Hi, thanks for watching and thanks for your attention to detail. I'm looking at Kelly farina's book Mastering Paragliding right now on page 33. The illustration labeled B shows the Mitsos method. He has the brakes in separate hands. He's using the hand on the C risers in the Reversed position, which is okay, I just prefer to have both of my Palms up.

[@rolandwiberg1555]

hi, I am a beginner, but in the end of this movie, you use the Mitsos technique, but still you get plucked up while in the reverse position. The reason to use the Mitsos technique is to avoid getting uncontrolled plucked, before launch, right ? Still, I think this is the best video on this topic 👌

[@NelsonsWings]

Notice that the pluck only happens after I let go of the C risers and touch the brakes. But in general if it is very strong, you will be plucked regardless, but holding the C's helps you control it, and if you put all your weight on them, it will kill the wing. Thanks for watching, sorry about the delay in my reply!

[@rolandwiberg1555]

@@NelsonsWings okey , thank you for the answer 👍

[@texasdoug5739]

Left or right hand holding the A's....does it matter? Personal choice?

[@NelsonsWings]

It has to do with which way the pilot turns to face forward. If you turn to the left as I do, the left-hand needs to hold the A's. If you turn to the right, your right hand will hold the A's. Otherwise, your arms will get more and more crossed up as you turn to face the flying direction.

[@texasdoug1273]

Great explanation..thanks. Our group enjoys your videos and commentary.

[@sarmaoverkarma5053]

Today I finally had a chanche to go out and practice... unfortunately light winds, heat and high grass made it hard. I think I figured out how to hold the whole thing, I managed to raise the wing, but I couldn't really control it... it either quickly changed direction (I believe due to irregular inflation as I couldn't lay the wing down in a nice take off position) or folded in front, probably I should have pulled harder on the A's with that little to no wind. Any suggestion on controlling the wing once in the air? Cheers!!

[@sarmaoverkarma5053]

Also: What's the reason for raising the wing with the inner elevator only? I observed other pilots raising it with both and I was wondering what is the difference

[@sarmaoverkarma5053]

Uodate: As I thought, I was using only half of my A's lol! I practiced again, and I now managed to raise the wing, but I quickly lost control because I had zero wind, and I couldn't run super fast in reverse due to tall grass, haha!

[@sarmaoverkarma5053]

Checking the video again it seems to me that you are only using the inner ones tho... I'm super confused now haha!

[@johnchristopher5201]

@@sarmaoverkarma5053 If you use only the centre As when inflating your wing (whether using the Mitsos technique or on the breaks), then the CENTRE cells of the wing will open FIRST. As the air is pushed from the centre of the wing to the tips, the outer cells will open. This gives a much more stable inflation, particularly in strong winds. If you use both the inner AND the outer As during inflation in strong winds, all the cells will fill with air at the same time, resulting in a much more violent and difficult to control inflation. Even when doing a forward launch in 0-5kph winds, I only use the centres As. If you bring the centre of the wing up evenly, the wing tips will follow.

[@johnchristopher5201]

If the the leading edge of the wing is folding over during the inflation, you may be pulling TOO hard on the As. You want to give the As a nice little 'pop' at the start of the inflation, but do not bend your elbows too far. Keep your arms nearly straight and guide the risers up to the heavens. Use your weight in the harness (lean back) to put pressure in the risers, instead of using your arms. As with the forward launch, when inflating the wing, your arms are only there to GUIDE the risers. Your body weight and footwork is used to put power into (or remove power from) the wing. If there is any wind at all, practice building a wall (which is a skill in itself). If the wing is coming up slightly sideways during the inflation, step towards the side that the wing is falling to, but MAINTAIN pressure in the harness by continuing to lean backwards (and step backwards if necessary in very light wind).

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Is this crossover confusing for all beginners ?

[@NelsonsWings]

I guess it depends on the person, but I found it pretty easy to master. It was what our instructor taught us from the beginning, we never messed around with using just the A's and the brakes. So pretty quickly, it became second nature for me. I think it's more popular in areas where there is strong winds and snaggy launches.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

@@NelsonsWings Thanks. I’ve sent this video to my instructor as this seems way more obvious than battling with A’s and Brakes. A friend of mine who’s got experience shared this with me. It’s starting to make sense now and I think my confusion was just information and instruction overload on my first lesson!

[@NelsonsWings]

@@GodzillaGoesGaga if you are still working on your P2, I don't recommend getting into a disagreement with your instructor. Follow his guidance, before long you'll have your P2. You can practice the A's and C's inflation's on your own. There are some benefits of the 80s and seas method that I forgot to mention in the video. Once things it's very handy, is if you end up having to set the wing back down, you don't need to reset your hands. You'll still have the risers in the correct hands, all you need to do is rebuild your wall, get your mind right and then you can try again. If you're using the A's and the brakes, you will end up letting go of the A's almost immediately, and then after you set the wing back down you'll have to reset your hands on the A's.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

@@NelsonsWings Understood. He did a demo when walking back to the car and used this technique I think but didn’t show me how he was doing it. I’ll ask him about this as a curiousity.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

Just eager to learn. I’m like a fighter who’s never fought, all brains and no brawn! 😁

[@airboss212]

nice but the reverse was used long before in the austrian alps in the 80,s when winds are too strong for using brake lines . dont steal things and name it wrongly

[@mcbrite]

What? Where do you even get that from? - Some comments are literally that far away from the video, it feels like they were written for a different video and then misplaced under this one. This comment made no sense whatsoever to me.

[@NelsonsWings]

Just for clarification, the Mitsos technique is not a name for reverse inflation. It's a name for holding the A's and the Cs while you do a reverse inflation. Other reverse inflation techniques include A's and brakes, Cobra, and that complicated one where you hook the opposite brake line with a finger of the hand holding a toggle. Good descriptions in Kelly Farina Mastering Paragliging.

[@airboss212]

@@NelsonsWings keep drreaming , again holding a and C is not a Mitso technical even when he falsely claims he invented it !seems to be usual that people from OZ come to Europe , see how it is done properly and go down and sell it as theyr idea. Too bad when one day one comes to OZ and gets his techniques sold as a OZ invention :-)))))

[@NelsonsWings]

The literature is filled with references to Mr. Mitsos. I never claimed he invented it. This is just semantics. What is your name for using A's and C's?

[@airboss212]

@@NelsonsWings well then the book is written by a guy who does as mentioned above by me ! It’s a fucking plain reverse launch ! It has no name as when u sit on the toilet u don’t name it after someone do u ?by the way this was done already in the löste 70‘s when a storm was needed to get a „ bag „ airborne and the wind was to strong