The Spiral is one of the most effective ways to lose altitude with a paraglider. In acro flying, spirals are also used to generate energy for manoeuvres. The more energy you build in the spiral, the more power and amplitude your next manoeuvre will have. Some manoeuvres require only a small amount of energy, while others depend on a deep, committed spiral.

A spiral is easy to recognise when the glider is taking a fast turn that doesn’t stop. As the spiral deepens, the glider’s leading edge begins to point more and more downwards. In a deep or nose-down spiral, the leading edge is facing completely down, and the pilot rotates rapidly around the glider in a tight, descending circle.

To enter a spiral, the pilot applies progressive brake input to one side while maintaining contact on the outside brake. Increasing the inside brake deepens the spiral, resulting in a higher descent rate and more energy. Once the leading edge is pointing fully downward, the spiral reaches its maximum descent rate and energy. It is important to remember that spirals can generate a lot of G-forces, and if flown too aggressively, they can lead to loss of consciousness.

To exit a spiral, the pilot gradually increases brake pressure on the outside brake. A slow, progressive exit keeps the pitch under control and allows the glider to recover smoothly. Exiting too aggressively by braking hard on the outside will stop the spiral quickly, but it also creates a strong pitch, resulting in an aggressive shoot that must be stopped. In acro flying, this fast exit is used intentionally to initiate specific manoeuvres.