Wills Wing Alpha 180, Owner'S Service Manual

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8. Pull the sail out so that there is even tension on the top and bottom layers and roll the sail towards
the keel on each side. Try to keep the mylar insert and leading edge area as smooth as possible.
9. Secure the sail with the Velcro sail ties provided, but do not apply them too tightly.
The wide, long Velcro strap is installed by passing it OVER THE TOP of the keel tube just
forward of the control bar top, and then installing it around the glider leading edges. This
holds the leading edges up away from the control bar apex hardware.
10. Place the glider bag on the glider, and flip the glider over onto the ground.
11. Detach the basetube, fold the control bar, and install the control bar bag and keel protective cov-
ers. (Note - The glider will fit in the bag more easily if you remove the basetube at both ends.)
12. Gather the battens so that all the cambered ends match up, put the battens in the batten bag tail-
end first and cinch the velcro tie on the bag. This will make it less likely for the battens to get out
of shape. Place the bag in the rear of the glider between the rear leading edges, and zip up the bag.
Alpha Stability Systems
Stability in pitch is provided by reflex in the root section, which is determined by the lengths of the
kingpost, control bar, and front to rear top and bottom wires, and by the shape of the root battens, and
by reflex support bridles running from the kingpost to the trailing edge at the number five, and six bat-
tens, and by washout tips installed in the leading edge underneath the number two battens.
Correct attachment and proper adjustment of the bridles are critical to providing adequate stability at
low angles of attack, particularly those below the normal operating range.
Reflex Bridle Adjustment And Compensation
The glider must be fully assembled to measure the bridles. Attach a light-weight thread to the ends of
each of the number five and six battens (the battens at the bridle attachment stations), run the threads
over the top of the keel, and attach them to the corresponding battens on the other side. Adjust the
thread so it does not sag. Measure the distance from the top surface of the keel directly under each
thread to the thread. The minimum heights of the threads should be:
Model Thread at #5 Batten Thread at #6 Batten
Alpha 180 13.25” or 336 mm 6.25” or 158 mm
Alpha 210 15.5” or 393 mm 6.375” or 162 mm