Ozone Rush, Pilot'S Manual

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minimum-sink rate. To increase your speed for headwind glides, use
the accelerator bar which will give you an increase in speed of up to
10km/h.
Active Flying
To minimise the likelihood of suffering collapses in turbulent
conditions, it is essential to use active flying.
All good pilots react to the feedback the gliders send them, and are
constantly adjusting their speed and pitch to match the movements
of the air. The key elements of active flying, are pitch control and
pressure control:
As the glider pitches in front of you, use the brakes to slow it down.
Equally, as the glider drops behind you, release the brakes to allow it
to speed up.
Flying with a bit of brake applied (approx 20cms) will give you feed
back from the wing. In turbulent conditions the internal pressure of
the wing can change and you can feel this through the brakes. The
aim is to maintain a constant pressure through the brakes. If you feel
a loss in pressure apply the brakes until normal pressure is resumed
then raise hands back to original position (this must be done quickly).
Avoid flying with continuous amounts of brake in rough air as you
could inadvertently stall the wing. Always consider your airspeed.
These movements can be symmetric or asymmetric; you may have
to apply both brakes or just one. These subtle adjustments will keep
the glider flying smoothly and directly above you and dramatically
reduce the chances of a collapse. These are skills are best learnt by
playing with the glider on the ground!
IMPORTANT: No pilot and no glider are immune to collapses
however active flying will virtually eliminate any tendency to
collapse. When the conditions are turbulent, be more active
and anticipate the movements of your wing. Always be aware
of your altitude and do not over-react. We advice you to keep
hold of your brakes. Do not fly in turbulent conditions.
Turning
To familiarise yourself with the RUSH your first turns should be
gradual and progressive.
To make efficient and co-ordinated turns with the RUSH first look in
the direction you want to go, then lean into it. Your first input for
directional change should be weight-shift, followed by the smooth
application of the brake until the desired bank angle is achieved. To
regulate the speed and radius of the turn, use the outer brake.
IMPORTANT : never initiate a turn at minimum speed (i.e.
with full brakes on) as you could risk entering a spin.
Landing
The RUSH shows no unusual landing characteristics but as a
reminder, here are some tips.
• Always set up your landing early, give yourself plenty of options
and a safe margin for error.
• Once below 30 metres avoid turning tightly as the glider will have
to dive to accelerate back to normal flight. If you are at low
altitude, or if you hit sink, this could mean you hit the ground
harder than necessary.
• Instead, allow the glider to fly at glide at full speed for your final
descent until you are around 1 metre above the ground. Apply
the brakes slowly and progressively to slow the glider down until
the glider stalls and you are able to step on to the ground.
• Be careful not to flare too hard at full speed as the glider might
climb again before stalling. If the glider does begin to climb, ease
off the brakes until it stops climbing, then flare again, but slower
this time. If this does happen, don't put your hands up! You
should keep the brakes at mid speed, stand up, be ready to run
and make sure you brake fully as you arrive on the ground.
• Lean forward out of your harness before the actual landing
(especially if it's turbulent), with your weight leaning forward
against the chest strap, and make sure your legs are ready for
the landing and a possible PLF.
• Choose the appropriate approach style in function of the landing
area and the conditions.
• Always land heading into wind!
• In light winds you need a strong, long and progressive flare to
bleed off all your excess ground speed. In strong winds your
forward speed is already low so you are flaring to soften the
impact as you touch down.
• In strong winds you need to turn towards the glider the second
your feet touch the ground. Once facing the wing pull smoothly
and symmetrically down on the brakes to stall the wing. If the