ICARO 2000 Alto, Owner'S Manual

Page: 17 / 48

Icaro 2000 Alto – Owner Manual
Page # 17/48
03/03/2022 Alto 2022-1-En

Place the downtubes between the leading edges, inside the sail.

Place the battens and the speedbar into the rear part of the glider cover. To do this, you will have to
undo one or more Velcro ties and then refasten them.

Close the zipper and load the glider onto the car; drive carefully

7.2 Flat Disassembly
7.2.1 Starting Point

Position the hang glider with the nose into the wind.

Remove the nose fairing and unhook the nose wires.

Release crossbar tension by pushing the spring buttons and releasing the tension plate; let it slide
into the sail.

Lower the hang glider down on the ground by pulling it towards you.
Note : make sure that the sail is loose. Now proceed in the same order as indicated for “Disassembly on
the A-frame”, therefore return to page 14.
8. Hints and Tips
In this section we provide some suggestions with the aim of ensuring maximum flight safety and
enjoyment.
The Alto was specifically conceived to offer pilots maximum flying pleasure without penalising
performance, while also guaranteeing high standards in terms of glider behaviour and predictability,
contributing to safety.
This hang glider was designed for pilots of average experience who wish to begin exploring the potential
of hang glider flying, with cross country flights of some distance. The Alto will also be enjoyed by pilots
of long experience for whom flying is nothing else but pure pleasure.
8.1 Variable Geometry
The Alto can be supplied with the variable geometry (VG) system.
Pulling the VG cord moves the crossbar backwards. Thereby it increases the nose angle, tightens the
sail and substantially changes twist (washout) and airfoil geometry. Pulling the variable geometry
improves sink rate and gliding angle. Therefore VG should be tight in all those conditions in which
maximum efficiency and speed is required.
When VG is loose, handling improves. VG should therefore be totally or partially released in all those
conditions in which maximum handling sensitivity is required, such as when near the ground, at take off
if turbulent conditions are likely just after launch, in thermals, and when landing.
In order to further improve handling, all Icaro’s gliders are fitted with “swivel tips”. This is a
special system that links both outer tips, allowing them to move asymmetrically during turns,
making it easier to fly the glider.
To get the maximum performance from your hang glider you can use your VG intensively throughout the
flight, to increase or decrease the sail tension.
8.2 Take Off
For take off you can pull the VG in by about 50 cm (~20 inches), which improves ground handling and
tightens the lower wires. If the conditions around take off are very buoyant, it is better to leave VG totally
released.
Although the launch characteristics of the Alto are good forgiving to permit minor errors during taking off,
such as the nose angle a little too high or takeoff speed a little too slow, always keep the nose down
(~15

) and run up to maximum speed, accelerating progressively.
IMPORTANT: Do not take off with a wet sail!!! If your glider has got wet during set up, dry it before take
off. A wet sail will stall at higher speeds, making take off and landing considerably more difficult.