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Setting The Compensator Adjustment:
The compensator adjustment is made by varying the adjusted length of the short piece of
4mm accessory cord which connects the lower compensator wire tang to the tang on the
crossbar center VG wire. The procedure below describes the proper initial adjustment of the
compensator system. Further adjustment may be required based on the results of flight
testing, as described below.
For the RamAir 154:
Start with the glider fully assembled. Set the VG full loose and mark the VG rope at the
cleat. Repeat with the VG set full tight. Then by finding the mid point between the loose and
tight marks, mark the rope for the VG middle setting. Set the glider at VG middle, and then
pull on another four inches (measured on the VG pull rope) of tighter VG adjustment.
Secure one end of the 4mm accessory cord through the aft hole in the tang at the crossbar
center, using a single overhand knot. Thread the cord through the open (forward) hole in the
lower compensator tang and pull the cord tight. Mark the cord at this tang, with the cord
tight. Then set the VG to full tight, which will slacken the lower compensator as the bridles
are let down onto the backup pigtail. Using the mark on the cord as a guide, tie the knot
below the compensator tang to fix the adjustment of the compensator.
Then, as you slowly let off the VG, feel for the start of tension in the compensator wire /
attachment cord. As the VG passes through the point which is four inches tighter than the
VG middle setting, the cord attaching the lower compensator should just be going tight.
For the RamAir 146:
Set the VG to full tight, and adjust the compensator until the inner bridle measures 76.625"
Bridle Measurement:
As an approximate check of the bridle adjustment, you can measure the effective bridle
length settings. The glider must be fully assembled to measure the bridles. Hook one end of
a tape measure over the top front wire at the kingpost cap and measure the distance to the
intersection of the batten pocket seamed edge and the sail trailing edge at each bridle.
Perform the measurement at VG loose, middle and tight settings. Your measurements
should be approximately as follows:
RamAir 154:
VG Setting
Inner
Middle
Outer
Loose
78.25"
117.5"
160.25"
Middle
79.125"
118.375"
161.0"
Tight
79.25"
118.75"
161.25"
RamAir146:
VG Setting
Inner
Middle
Outer
Loose
74.875"
113.25"
155.0"
Tight
76.625"
114.625"
156.375"
