27
with your perception of the bar “position” relative to your body. Airspeed indicators vary in
their indicated airspeed depending on the make of the instrument, its calibration, any installa-
tion error, etc. The use of tufts gives you an absolute first hand indication of the actual
aerodynamic event associated with two critically important airspeeds on your glider. It is a
potentially useful tool that may improve your flying.
SPEEDS TO FLY AND USING YOUR AIRSPEED INDICATOR
The Wills Wing Hall Airspeed Indicator has been specially designed to help you fly your
RAMAIR at the proper speeds for optimum safety and performance. The RAMAIR is quite
sensitive in pitch, and it is easy to find yourself flying too fast for optimum performance or
control.
There are four color coded bands on the ASI:
White: This is the range from 20 mph to 30 mph. This is the normal thermalling speed range
for light to moderate thermalling conditions. Try to keep your speed within this range when
thermalling in light to moderate conditions. Very strong or turbulent conditions will warrant a
faster flying speed.
Green: The top of the green region represents the placarded maximum rough air and maxi-
mum maneuvering speeds. This speed of 52 mph should not be exceeded except in smooth
air, and no abrupt large control deflections should be used above this speed. In significant
turbulence it is recommended that you keep the airspeed “in the green” for best control and
stability and best structural margin at all times.
Yellow: This region represents the upper speed range between maximum rough air / maxi-
mum 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.