APCO Aviation Play 42 MK-II, Manual

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DEFLATE
. G
LIDERS REACT FASTER WHEN ACCELERATED AND MAY TURN MORE
. P
LAY
42
IS
EQUIPPED WITH
HIT
VALVE SYSTEM IMPROVING
L/E
DEFINITION AT HIGH SPEEDS
.
14.2 THERMAL FLYING
The Play 42 has excellent thermalling capacity and will be a pleasure to fly even
when you are in a big gaggle or just having fun on a long XC flight. The glider has
high internal pressure and needs very little pilot input even in very turbulent
conditions. In light lift it is advised to make flat turns to keep the glider from banking
too much and avoid increasing the sink rate. In strong lift conditions it is most
effective to have small turns in the core with relatively high bank. For the best climb
rate in ridge lift we recommend using about 15% to 20% brake.
14.3 ASYMMETRIC COLLAPSE
If one side of the glider partially folds or collapses it is important to keep your flying
direction by applying some brake on the opposite side. The wing should re-inflate on
its own without any input from the pilot. To assist re-inflation it is possible to pull
some brake on the collapsed side and release immediately. In the event of a big
deflation, i.e. 70%, it is important to give brake in the opposite direction but
care
must be taken not to pull too much as you could stall the flying side . The glider
is very solid and has a very strong tendency to re-inflate after any collapse. It is
important to remember that the glider will behave a bit more aggressively if the
collapse happens with the trimmers released (open). Do not fly with the trimmer
completely released in very turbulent conditions.
14.4 CRAVAT
In case a cravat occurs from an asymmetric collapse or other manoeuvres, it is
important to maintain your flying direction by applying some brake on the opposite
side. The cravat can usually be opened by pulling down on the stabilo line of the
affected side while countering the turn with opposite brake and weight shift. It also
helps sometimes to pull Big Ears to release the tension on the affected lines, or a
combination of the above techniques, i.e. pulling on the stabilo after pulling Big Ears.
14.5 FRONT STALL OR SYMMETRIC COLLAPSE
In the event of a front stall the glider will normally re-inflate on its own immediately
without any change of direction. To speed up re-inflation briefly apply 30-40% brake
(to pump open the leading edge). Do not hold the brakes down permanently to avoid
an unwanted stall. With the trimmers completely released the pilot must pull about
30% brake to speed up the inflation process.
14.6 B-STALL
The Play 42 has a very clean and stable B stall. To enter the B stall the pilot has to
pull on B-riser slowly until the glider loses forward speed and starts to descend
vertically. Then the pilot can pull more on the B until he/she attains a stable 7 to 9
m/s descent rate. The glider has no tendency to front rosette or become pitch
unstable. To exit the B stall the pilot releases the B slowly until the glider has
regained its shape and then the last 15 cm fast to prevent the glider from entering
deep stall. The Play 42 can be controlled directionally in the B stall by pulling more
on one B riser than on the other to create a turn in any direction. The B-stall is a safe
controlled way of losing altitude fast without any forward speed.
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