12
Section 4
Technical Description
NO FRONT RISER TURNS!
The 3-line design does not allow front
riser turns. Pulling down the front risers
will inevitably lead to a collapse, which
can have fatal consequences.
The Spitfire 2 PLUS has brake handles
(toggles) for steering.
Riser and trimmer
The riser for the Spitfire 2 PLUS is designed
in such a way that it can be operated
while wearing gloves. There is an anti-
rotation device on the B-level. In addition,
the B-level deflector alters the profile and
the angle of attack more effectively when
opening the trimmers, which counters any
vibration of the canopy. The SWING
Speedflying Team advises pilots wishing to
fly the Spitfire 2 PLUS through the back
risers, to do so between the B- and C- riser.
The Spitfire 2 PLUS is fitted with trimmers,
which prevent, e.g. your helmet camera
from getting tangled. (see Fig. 1)
Trimmer travel itself has a significant
impact on the dive & speed of the Spitfire
2 PLUS.
You should therefore keep the trimmers
closed for your first flights and slowly
familiarize yourself with that position.
The trimmers allow you to fly with best
glider when closed. Open the trimmers to
use “dive” or to
lose height. To adjust the trimmers in
flight, hold the brake handles and open
the trimmers symmetrically. If you open
the trimmers
asymmetrically (e.g. if you
open them one after the other) the Spitfire 2
PLUS will fly a sharp turn towards the side
of the closed trimmer. There are magnets
on the trimmer webbing and on the riser
which prevent the trimmers opening fully.
The magnets must be separated before
full trimmer travel can be used. When the
trimmers are closed, the magnets also
stop the trimmer webbing from flapping,
as it can then be secured.
Fig 1 Trimmer
However, bear in mind too that, when the
trimmers are being opened gradually,
they can suddenly and unintentionally
unfasten completely. If that happens,
simply return the trimmers to the desired
position.
Take a gradual approach to opening the
trimmers fully.
“Speed & dive” increase
considerably when the trimmers are
opened. Once you have familiarized
yourself with the Spitfire 2 PLUS with
trimmers closed, you should then slowly
and gradually test out
the full trimmer
travel, as th
e glide angle in “dive”
decreases sharply. Bear in mind that the
sink in turns increases significantly when
the trimmers are opened!
Trimmer positions
best glide: trimmers fully closed and
approx.15% brake (let your arms hang)
maximum
stability
in
turbulent
conditions: trimmers fully closed and
“active flying” using the brake
handles
maximum speed, steepest flight path:
trimmers fully open, 0% brake
minimum sink: approx. 50% brake
minimum sink in turns: trimmers fully
WARNING