Wills Wing Alpha 180, Owner'S Service Manual

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Battens
Check the battens for symmetrical shape and batten string tension.
Sail mount plugs - adjusting sail tension and rotational alignment
The molded plastic sail mount plug fits directly into the rear leading edge. It is secured against rota-
tion by a sliding wedge which is forced out against the inside of the tube as the Allen screw is tight-
ened. The proper installation procedure for this plug is to engage the allen screw three turns into the
sliding wedge, install the plug into the rear leading edge, set the desired alignment, and then tighten
the allen screw 9 additional turns.
Shims are added to the allen screw type plug by sliding them over the end of the plug before the plug
is inserted into the leading edge. The shims are thus visible with the plug installed.
Once the allen screw type plug is installed, the rotational alignment can be changed by loosening the
allen screw to relieve the pressure of the wedge against the inside of the leading edge tube until the
sail mount plug is free enough that it can be rotated.
If you loosen the screw too much, the wedge will fall off inside the leading edge tube, and
you will have to dismount the sail to retrieve it.
Sail tension
Check for symmetrical sail tension on the leading edges. In order to check this, remove the sail mount
screws at the nose, detension and re-tension the xbar and sight the hem of the sail at the bottom of the
leading edge tube relative to the noseplate on each side. Sail tension is adjusted by adding or remov-
ing shims in 1/8" or 1/4" increments to or from the sail mount plugs on the rear ends of the leading
edges. See the discussion above about the different types of sail mount plugs and how shims are
added or removed.
To remove or add shims from either plug, first dismount the sail mount webbing by pulling it free
and then to the outside of the leading edge. You can use a flat bladed screwdriver to pry the webbing
off, but take care not to damage the webbing. After dismounting the sail, first check and record the
rotational alignment by noting the position of the scribe mark on the plug relative to the scale on the
leading edge tube. Use the allen wrench provided in your spare parts kit to loosen the allen screw
until you can remove the plug. Add or remove shims as necessary, and then reinstall the plug, making
sure the alignment is correct. Nine turns of the allen screw after installation of the plug will secure the
plug in place.
Make sure to replace the sail mount screws at the nose.
Twisting a tip
After you have made everything symmetrical, if you still have a turn, you will correct it by rotating
one or both sail mount plugs. A left turn is corrected by twisting the left sail plug clockwise (twisting
the sail down at the trailing edge) or twisting the right sail plug clockwise (twisting the sail up at the
trailing edge) or both. Twist counter clockwise on either or both plugs to correct a right turn.
To rotate the sail plug, use the allen wrench provided in your spare parts kit to loosen the allen screw
thus pushing the wedge forward and releasing the plug.