EN
17
Active C Riser Control
It is possible to pilot the wing with the C risers for improved feel and control, enabling you to fly
actively without using the brakes. Using brakes whilst accelerated causes drag which is not only
inefficient but it also reduces the inherent stability of the profile - using the brakes whilst fully
accelerated may lead to a collapse. Using the C risers increases the angle of attack more evenly
across the chord and does not weaken the profile as much as using the brakes. The direct feel
allows you to stop collapses before they happen and maintain higher speeds and higher levels
of efficiency through turbulence.
To fly with the C risers, keep hold of your brake handles (remove any wraps) and take hold of the
C risers. With the C risers you can fly actively through turbulence; If you see or feel the leading
edge lose pressure, at the same time as releasing some or all of the accelerator you can also
apply pressure to the C’s, this will help keep the nose open. Be careful to use only small inputs
with the C risers, you risk stalling part or all of the wing if you are over enthusiastic. The amount
of pressure and size of the input is dependent on the amount of turbulence/loss of pressure,
but always be gentle at first. Learn the feel of the wing - how much speed bar to release
and the force required on the C’s to keep the nose open without inducing unnecessarily large
pitch movements. If you feel the nose of the wing start to collapse or pitch forward whilst in
accelerated flight the first action should be to release the speed bar impulsively and then make
any necessary C riser input. Using the combined active speed bar/C riser control technique you
will be able to maximise your speed and efficiency whilst minimising the likelihood of collapses.
Be prepared for plenty of practice as this new method may take some time for it to become totally
intuitive, efficient and comfortable. This control method is suitable for gliding in good ‘normal’
air, it does not replace proper active flying with the brakes in strong turbulent conditions. If you
are unsure about the air return the glider to trim speed, release the C risers and fly the glider
actively with the brakes.
