The SAT (originally named Safety Acro Team) is one of the most influential manoeuvres in acro paragliding. When it was developed by Raúl Rodríguez, it fundamentally changed how pilots looked at the possibilities of the sport. The SAT laid the foundation for many of the manoeuvres that are flown today.

A SAT is recognised by its fast, dynamic rotation combined with a very unique wing position. Unlike a spiral, where the leading edge points downward, the leading edge in a SAT is oriented almost vertically relative to the horizon. Instead of the pilot rotating around the glider, the pilot and glider rotate around each other. The glider continues to fly forward while the pilot moves backward, creating a unique and unfamiliar movement that was never seen before.

To initiate a SAT, the pilot grabs the outside riser as high as possible. The entry begins similarly to a spiral, with progressive brake input and weight shift to the inside. The most challenging part of the SAT is the timing of the entry. As brake input is increased progressively, the pilot must recognise the moment when the glider wants to transition into a deep spiral. At that exact moment, the brake input is increased decisively, usually to around shoulder height, to pull the glider into the SAT.

Once in the SAT, slight adjustments with the brake can be used to bring the glider into a more vertical position if needed. Throughout the entire manoeuvre, it is important to still hold and push on the outside riser.

To exit the SAT, the pilot releases the inside brake. It’s important not to release instantly. Be sure to release it progressively in a smooth motion. After releasing the pilot will end up in a spiral. From there, the exit is managed in the same way as a normal spiral.

One important point to understand is the timing between straight flying and the SAT entry. If this transition happens too quickly, the glider may stall asymmetrically and enter in a spin. This is why the entry must always be progressive. While every glider behaves differently, counting to three during the entry is often a good general guideline. If the pilot waits too long to initiate the SAT, the required brake force and G-forces may become too high, making it impossible to pull the glider into the manoeuvre. In this case, the glider will remain in a deep spiral. The correct response is simply to exit the spiral as usual, while paying close attention to the G-forces involved.

It is also worth noting that, once entered, the G-forces experienced in a SAT are significantly lower than those in a deep spiral.