Fresh Breeze APAX evo, User Manual

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APAX evo user manual
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Stretching of the lines and/or canopy material after safety training can lead to a general
deterioration in flight characteristics.
Damage as a result of safety training is not covered by the warranty.
WARNING: Be sure to perform any simulated collapses correctly. In particular, full speed
asymmetric collapses performed incorrectly may result in unpredictable collapse
behaviour and impulsive re-opening. This behaviour may require considerable pilot skill to
manage safely.
Canopy Collapses
Asymmetric collapses
Asymmetric collapses are caused by the stagnation point moving to the trailing edge of the
glider. A negative angle of attack makes part of the canopy collapse and tuck under, and the
glider may plunge down, turn away or spin.
Use active flying techniques to virtually eliminate collapses in normal flying conditions.
Nevertheless, if you do get a collapse, stabilize your weight in your harness and do not allow
yourself to fall to the collapsed side. Control your course with weightshift and a little outside
brake. The deflation should re-inflate spontaneously.
If the deflation does not re-inflate spontaneously, apply brake on the closed side in a
smooth, progressive pumping action. Be sure not to apply too much brake too slowly as this
may risk a stall. Remember that a partly collapsed wing has a reduced surface area and thus a
higher stall speed.
If you get a collapse while in accelerated flight, release the speed bar immediately. Then
apply the normal procedure for unaccelerated asymmetric collapses.
WARNING: After a large collapse, an instinctive reaction to the body falling is to attempt to
hold something. This can result in the pilot unintentionally applying brake, which prevents
proper recovery. Always make sure you have fully released the brakes (including any
wraps taken) after any incident. Let the glider fly.
Cravat / glider wrapped around lines
A cravatte occurs when a wing tip becomes stuck between the glider lines, for example,
following a bad take-off preparation. On the APAX evo, a cravatte is unlikely to occur. If you
do get a cravatte, first control your direction. Do this by using weightshift and enough
counter-brake to stop the turn, but not too much to risk a stall of the opposite side.
A cravat can generally be opened by a short, fast pull on the brake line of the cravatted
side. If not, on the APAX evo, there is a separate stabilizer/winglet main line that goes down
to the A2 riser. This line usually becomes slack in the event of a cravat. Pull this line down
completely until it becomes tight and the cravat normally comes out.
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