Wills Wing Alpha 180, Owner'S Service Manual

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Pilots who have trouble with the flare, and with the glider nosing over during landing, usually do so
because of one of the following problems:
a. Harness leg straps too long / hanging too low below the glider, and / or hands too low on the con-
trol bar. This reduces pitch authority and prevents an adequate flare.
b. Improper body position - pilot leaning back, (away from the anticipated hard landing), with feet
extended in front. This moves the pilot’s center of mass forward ahead of his shoulders, effec-
tively shortening the pilot’s arms and reducing flare authority. The proper position is with the
pilot’s body inclined forward, with the shoulders out ahead of the pilot’s center of mass. Thinking
about pushing “up” instead of “out” when flaring may help you to maintain the proper forward
inclined body position.
c. Slowing too much prior to flare, so that your arms are too extended to allow enough flare ampli-
tude.