Advance acoustic BIBETA 6, User Manual

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Flight characteristics
We recommend that you make your first flights with your new glider in
quiet conditions, in a familiar flying area . A few pull-ups at an easy site
will give you confidence in the BIBETA 6’s handling qualities, from the
very beginning .
Takeoff
Takeoff preparation
Sorting BIBETA 6 lines is especially simple . A brief shake will separate
the three riser levels’ few lines . Colour coded A and brake lines make
for very effective final line checking .
Before every takeoff carry out the following pre-takeoff checks:
1 .
Harnesses and helmets done up, reserve OK
?
2 .
Pilot-glider-passenger connections OK
?
3 .
Lines free
?
4 .
Canopy open
?
5 .
Wind direction and strength assessed
?
6 .
Airspace and view clear
?
7 .
Passenger ready?
BIBETA 6 takeoff behaviour is very smooth and straightforward for
both forward and backward launches . Nylon wires and light weight
ensure that the canopy fills quickly and climbs evenly, without hanging
or shooting ahead .
The BIBETA 6 is pulled up using both the inner, wide A-risers . This
takes less effort, and the wing will come up very straight . The canopy
should always be laid out in a slightly curved shape, so that all A-lines
are equally loaded during the pull up .
Tip: To get the BIBETA 6 in just the right curved shape for ta-
keoff stand abeam the centre of each wing after you have sorted
the lines; take the brake line and pull it in until all the brake junc-
tions are tensioned .
Light Wind Takeoff (Forwards)
The BIBETA 6 only needs a modest tug in a light wind . It is not neces-
sary to step back and then ‘run’ into the lines . Lead the glider up with
committed and forward-leaning body weight, but without too much
pull on the inner A-risers, until the canopy is nicely above you . Any di-
rectional correcting during the pull-up phase should be done by going
under the glider, without use of brake . After the correction phase and a
look at the glider a few brisk steps with determined leaning forward is
enough to get you airborne, even in little wind . The takeoff run can be
shortened by an appropriate touch of brake .
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