16
approaches, maneuvering around obstacles or into a restricted area, or downwind or crosswind landings are not
recommended for pilots below an advanced skill level.
We recommend that you make your approach with the VG set between full loose and 1/2 on. A full loose VG setting
will reduce glide performance, making it easier to land on a target or within a small field. It will also ensure maximum
control authority during the approach, and especially when flying very slowly on final. At VG full loose, however, there
is some loss of aerodynamic efficiency and flare authority. For this reason, in very light winds, at higher wing loadings
or at higher altitudes, it is recommended that a setting of VG 1/3 – 1/2 ore more be used. A full loose VG setting will
also increase the glider’s roll sensitivity, and some pilots have had difficulty with roll / yaw oscillations on final. The
best way to avoid this is to fly your entire approach at a constant airspeed, and to control your touchdown point by
making adjustments to the shape of your pattern. You
should choose your approach speed based on the amount of
wind and turbulence present - in stronger wind and more turbulent air, fly faster. In any case, however, try to fly a
constant airspeed throughout the approach.
Once established on a straight final approach, with wings level and flying directly into the wind, you should fly the
glider down to where the basetube is between 1 and 2 m (3-6 ft) off the ground. At this altitude, let the control bar out
just enough to “round out” so that your descent is arrested and your flight path parallels the ground. The remainder of
your approach will consist of bleeding off excess speed while paralleling the ground and keeping the wings level and
the nose pointed in your direction of flight until it is time to “flare” for landing.
Figure 26
Prior to the landing flare your body position
should be generally upright, but slightly inclined
forward, with your head and shoulders forward of
your hips and your legs and feet trailing slightly
behind.
Many pilots make the mistake of trying to get too
upright at this stage of the landing, which
actually reduces your flare authority and makes it
harder to land on your feet. Your hands should
be at shoulder width and shoulder height on the
uprights (
Fig. 26)
.
You should be relaxed, with a light grip on the
bar, and your weight should be fully supported in
your harness and not at all by your arms. (If your
harness does not allow you to hang in the proper
semi-upright landing position “hands off,” without
supporting your weight on the control bar, you will have a lot more difficulty making good landings).
We wish you many happy landings!
12. COMBAT BREAKDOWN
Break down of the glider is the reverse of its assembly.
Figure 27
WARNING
Before de-rigging the glider, make sure that
the trim system pulleys stay below the keel
tube and outside off the sail, otherwise the
pulleys may get squeezed between keel tube,
leading edge and crossbar, which may cause
their damage (Fig. 27).
(See the Movable Hang
Point System Manual for details).
12.1. Start with the VG set to full loose. Remove the tail from the keel tube. Remove the nosecone. Remove any
instruments.
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