
Flughandbuch XCitor
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the right trike side hanging down slightly more than the left: therefore the trike
wants to fly to the left side).
Cruise speed is between 45 and 75 km/h depending on the rpm setting between
4200 and 5000 and on the trim setting and the total weight.
The most economical speed is roughly 65 km/h depending on the load.
The maximum allowed speed (VNE) is 73 km/h and must never be exceeded.
Under turbulent conditions the XCitor is not allowed to fly faster than 65km/h
(manoeuvre speed VA).
The fuel consumption is somewhere between 8l/h at low speeds (55 km/h) up to
roughly 10l/h at 70 km/h.
LANDING
Any landing has to be made against the wind.
Reduce power and push both trim levers into a slow position (vertical or a little bit
slower).
Take both brake lines into the hands, but don’t brake yet. Start to tighten the brake
lines in 5-8 m height. Flare out, starting at 1-2m, with continuously applying more
brake. If you made a perfect landing you should just apply full brake if you touch
the ground.
If you flared out being too high support the descent with gas.
Being on the ground you may open the brake lines again, wind them 1-2 times
around your hand, and brake again to make the glider falling down behind the trike.
If it is windy you may repeat this procedure.
If the wind is quite strong apply the front brake carefully, so that the glider can
move with the wind backwards and fall down.
ENGINE SHUT OFF
Gas pedal up to idle.
Main switch off.
Leave the trike only after the propeller has come to a complete stop as it may run
longer than the engine due to the centrifugal clutch.
CHECKLIST PRIOR TO START:
- Canopy laid out properly?
- lines straight and in parallel?
- lines clipped into the cable binder at the cage side?
- trim levers in a vertical position, and clamped tight enough (5-7 kg)?
- cruise gas lever (and the teacher gas pedal, if any) at idle position?
- enough fuel on board?
- seat belts fastened?
- helmet?
- prop free?
- wind not too strong and from ahead?
- brake lines close at hand?
7.8 FLIGHTS UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS
RAIN:
Basically each conscientiously done flight planning contains a weather check. So in
principle no flights under rainy conditions should become necessary. Anyway,
every pilot may get into unforeseeable worse weather conditions.
If the rain is only very light, the flight may be continued for a certain time. But the
wet canopy will get heavier. Therefore flight speed will increase, causing a higher
stall speed as well.
With a wet wing fly carefully, avoid sudden manoeuvres, and don’t be too slow
when landing.
If the rain gets stronger land! No flights in strong rain!
Never stow a wet canopy away. It will deteriorate. A wet canopy will also come up