Flying the Scorpio
Section 5
31
Counter-torque oscillation
Certain combinations of take-off weight,
thrust from the motor and propeller size can
cause pendulum motions. If this happens,
the pilot can be pushed to one side during
flight because of the counter-torque and the
gyroscope effect. The pilot then swings back
into his original position because of his
weight, only to then swing up even further.
The pilot can do the following to counter the
pendulum motion:
•
alter the throttle setting
•
counter the pendulum effect by pulling
slightly on the brakes
•
weight-shift in the harness and/or adjust
the harness position if it has suitable
adjustment options (cross-strap)
Pendulum motions generally occur at high
revs and if the propeller has a large
diameter. Attempts to steer by the pilot can
increase the pendulum motion if they are
over-exaggerated and not synchronised. If
there are uncontrolled pendulum motions,
the pilot should simply reduce speed and
not steer at all.
Cruising
Level flight
When the brakes are open the Scorpio’s
flight is level and inherently stable. The
brake lines can be used to adjust the speed
according to the flight situation, so as to
ensure the optimum level of performance
and safety.
WARNING
Braking on both sides with the main
brake with the trimmers open (reflex
mode) creates an extremely unstable
profile and there is a risk of front stall or
other extreme flight manoeuvres.
Braking in accelerated flight is therefore
forbidden!
In calm conditions, the best glide speed is
achieved on the Scorpio with the brakes
fully open. Minimum sink is reached by
pulling the brake lines approx. 10cm on both
sides. If the brakes are pulled further, the
sink does not reduce any more, the control
pressures increase noticeably and the pilot
reaches minimum speed
.
Turns using main brake
With the Scorpio, Powerplay has developed
a glider which reacts immediately to steering
input and is extremely responsive.
The Scorpio has very direct and agile
handling in turns without any negative
tendency which allows very dynamic flight.
The Scorpio is not trimmed for flat turns like
a thermalling glider, so it makes no
difference whether a turn is flown into or
against the counter-torque.
The Scorpio has extremely low negative
tendency, so it can also be turned in a tight
area by carefully pulling the inside brake
line.
If the brakes are applied more, the bank
attitude increases and the glider will fly a
fast turn increasing in steepness, which will
eventually become a spiral dive (further
information on this is in the section “Spiral
Dive”).
WARNING
Flying too slowly close to stall speed
increases the risk of an unintentional
asymmetric or full stall. This speed
range should therefore be avoided and
used only on landing.