Instruction and Maintenance Handbook
XP 12
EDITION :
APRIL 2002
PAGE : 7
AIR CREATION
Aérodrome de Lanas - 07200 AUBENAS - France
Tél. : 33 (0) 4 75 93 66 66 - Fax : 33 (0) 4 75 35 04 03 - Internet : www.aircreation.fr
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Short take-off and landing techniques :
The minimum take-off roll distance is reached by increasing R.P.M. to full power with brake,
and raising the wing to its maximum from the very start of rolling. The control bar should be
brought backwards immediately when the wheels are in the air to obtain a climbing speed of 43
mph (70 km/h ). A short landing needs a slow approach speed of about 46 mph (75 km/h ) and
raise the nose a few meters before touching the ground, in order to touch the wheels at stalling
speed. Brake and pull the control bar in order to reach a better aerodynamic braking once the
rear wheels have touched ground.
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Behaviour during stalling :
Stalling point is reached by pushing away gently the control bar. When stall angle of attack is
reached the control bar starts pushing back forcefully. By simple allowing this downward
tendency for a moment, the wing will return to correct speed. In that case the loss of altitude will
be less than 33 ft (10 m). If the control bar stays pushed out in spite of the warning signs, the
wing will stall and
the loss of altitude may easily
reach some 100 ft (30 m). An asymmetrical
start on one wing is possible, particularly during the
running-in
of the sail (first 50 flying hours).
To avoid tumbling risk, the stalling excercices must be imperatively carried out with
engine at idle, with a slow decreasing speed obtained by a progressive control bar pushing
out.
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Banking :
Banking of the wing has to go along with a progressive pushing out of the control bar in order to
make easier the maneuver and to balance the banking. By doing the opposite, pulling in of the
control bar, will allow horizontal return more quickly at recovery of banking.
With a low cruise speed adjustment, some increase in speed is necessary before the wing is put
into banking to avoid stalling of the lower wing. An increase in engine power is also advised to
maintain the flight level during banking.
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Behavior in strong wind :
When stationary on the ground
Park the aircraft perpendicularly to the direction of the wind, with its windward wing lowered.
Fix the 'A' frame on the front tube of the trike with the velcro used for packing the sails and put
chocks under the three wheels. Take down the wing off the trike and put it flat on the ground
windward, if the aircraft is not going to be used immediately.
Groundruns
Keep the sail flat into a headwind.
Push the control bar against the trike front strut with a tailwind. This will avoid tipping over.
Slightly lower the windward wing with a side wind. It may be difficult to hold the 'A' frame in its
position. Never let the wind lift the wing up.
Take-off and landing
As ground run distances are considerably decreasing by strong wind, try to place yourself into
wind. Should this not be possible, perform the take-off and landing manoeuvres with greater
speed than you normally do, in order to reduce the drift angle and counter the effects of the
gradient. Keep to the axis of the runway with the front wheel control.
