LITESPEED RX
OWNERS MANUAL
Version 2
25
Gliding the Litespeed RX
The greatest advantage of the Litespeed RX is its glide performance, particularly at
high speeds. A best glide ratio of 15:1 can be achieved in still air at low speed, 28mph
(45 km/h) with optimal weight range. If headwind is encountered or reasonable thermal
strength is expected, the pilot needs to significantly increase air speed to maximise the
flight performance. In competition, pilots are gliding their Litespeed RX at speeds up to
60mph (95km/h) to optimise cross country speed. With its flat washout distribution, the
Litespeed RX can still achieve a glide ratio between 9:1 and 10:1.
VG Position for Gliding
The full tight VG setting is only intended for high-speed glides, especially high-speed
racing into goal. With VG full tight the glider becomes quite difficult to control. At the
lower end of the speed range there is no glide advantage to be had flying full tight
setting. Maximum glide will not change from 3/4 VG to full tight. The only consequence
will be loss of handling. If flying at higher airspeeds to penetrate a strong wind, full VG
will give some glide advantage and handling will be manageable due to the higher
airspeed.
Safety in Turbulence
A hang glider is a tailless aircraft and thus pitch stability is limited to a degree. One of the
main design goals of the Litespeed RX was to maximise the pitch stability with a strong
rigid dive strut system and the compensated inner sprog. Moyes are extremely satisfied
with the strength and stability of the Litespeed RX. However there still remains the risk of
a tuck or tumble if extreme turbulence is encountered and it’s important that the pilot
understands ways to minimise this risk.
Airspeed
Many experts believe that the largest cause of tumbling is loss of airspeed due to
turbulence. When the glider loses its airspeed it becomes increasingly vulnerable to
forward rotation and a tuck or tumble. The glider can hit a surge of lift, which raises the
nose and even if the pilot holds the control bar in position, the glider will climb and
quickly loose airspeed. It is at this point that the glider is vulnerable to this forward
rotation if sudden sink or rotating air is encountered.
It is paramount that the pilot maintains sufficient airspeed in turbulence. If the glider hits
a surge of lift that raises the nose, the pilot should quickly react to bring the glider back
into a normal flying attitude and restore the lost airspeed.
