Wills Wing Alpha 180, Owner'S Service Manual

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Speeds To Fly And Using Your Airspeed Indicator
The top speed that can be sustained with a prone pilot in full forward position on the
Alpha is between 33 and 38 mph, and the glide ratio at speeds above 25 is significantly
degraded. We therefore recommend significant caution regarding flying in winds of more
than 10 mph or when an extended glide through sinking air or into a head wind may be
required to reach a safe landing area, or to reach the windward side of a ridge.
The optional Wills Wing Hall Airspeed Indicator has been specially designed to help you fly your
Falcon at the proper speeds for optimum safety and performance.
Note: The Wills Wing Hall ASI is color coded for VNE and Va speeds of 53 mph and 46 mph respec-
tively. The Alpha has lower VNE and Va speeds of 44 mph and 38 mph respectively. Therefore, for
the Alpha, the top of the green area represents 2 mph above VNE speed, and Va speed lies within the
green area
There are four color coded bands on the ASI:
White :
This is the range from 20 mph to 30 mph. This is the normal flying speed range. While
thermalling or flying in lift, try to keep your speed within the lower half of this range. For gliding
in light sink or light headwind, you will want to fly in the upper half of this range.
Green : The top of the green region represents the placarded maximum rough air and maximum
maneuvering speeds. This speed of 46 mph should not be exceeded except in smooth air, and no
abrupt large control deflections should be used above this speed. In heavy sink or strong head-
winds it is recommended that you keep the airspeed “in the green” for best penetration and glide
ratio over the ground.
Yellow
: This region represents the upper speed range between maximum rough air / maximum
maneuvering speed and the speed never to exceed. You should fly in this range only in smooth air
as described above.
Red Line:
This is your never to exceed speed.
At no time should you fly faster than this speed
.