Vers.1.0
01/02/2011
S. 13 / 33
but ground handling definitely helps to improve the feeling for the glider. A
good training exercise is to stabilise the wing above your head with the brakes,
without looking at it. This helps as well for improving the forward launch.
Turning
A smooth turn is an interaction of inner brake, outer brake and weight shifting.
The difficulty is finding the right amount, which is important if you want to
climb efficiently in thermals.
The BION turns quite sensitively, so only small inputs are needed for
performing precise turns. Tight and quick turns or fast changes of turning
direction without unwanted pendulum movement are quite complex and take
some training. It should be the goal of every pilot to master these skills
perfectly.
Attention:
If you can’t use the brakes for steering the glider you can use the D-risers
instead. (This might be necessary for example, if the brake lines tangled up due
to a bad pre-launch check or less likely, if the main brake line tears).
The BION can be turned quite well with the D-risers combined with weight
shifting. You can also land the glider nice and smooth just with the D-risers.
Don’t pull the D-risers too much, to avoid a deep stall!
Landing
Landing the BION is very easy. In turbulent conditions we recommend
applying brakes (approximately 20% of the available brake travel) during the
whole approach. This will increase the stability of the glider and the feeling of
the wing.
Just before touch down you should apply more brake. Many times it makes
sense to induce a stall.
Attention:
A deep stall in just 2 meters height can cause a quite violent touch down. Make
sure to not fully apply the brakes until you are close enough to the ground.
