35
The tight bridle measurements on the 154 are a function of the length of the safety pigtail
portion of the upper compensator cable, and can only be adjusted by changing out the upper
compensator cable with one of a different pigtail length. The bridle measurements for VG
loose and VG middle depend on the adjustment of the perlon attachment of the lower com-
pensator cable to the xbar center pull back cable.
Test Flight and Checking The Bridles:
Following the initial adjustment of the bridles by these procedures, the glider must be flown,
and the bridle adjustment evaluated in the air. The final determination of correct bridle setting
is done by flight testing. One part of this evaluation is to sight the shadow of the bridles on
the sail. The bridles sight correctly when they meet the following sighting criteria:
RamAir 154:
VG Setting
Inner
Middle
Outer
Loose
Just Slack
Slack
Quite Slack
to snug
Middle
Snug
Just Slack
Slack
to tight
Tight
Tight
Just Slack
Slack to
to snug
Just Slack
RamAir 146:
VG Setting
Inner
Middle
Outer
Loose
Just Slack
Slack
Quite Slack
Middle
Just Slack
Just Slack
Slack
Tight
Just Slack
Just Slack
Slack to
to snug
Just Slack
In order to sight the bridles, use the following procedure:
For each VG setting, check the bridles by flying multiple, shallow banked turns at minimum
sink speed, sighting the shadow of the bridles on the sail as the glider turns to the proper
orientation to the sun.
To sight a bridle line, shake the control bar sharply in pitch with an amplitude of four to six
inches. Watch the response of the bridle line, and judge the adjustment as follows:
Tight
No movement in the line, the line is straight and appears under tension.
Snug
Minimal movement, no apparent curve in the line but no apparent tension.
Just Slack
The center of the bow in the line moves one to two inches either side of its rest
position. Some apparent curve in the line may be seen without shaking the bar.
Slack
The center of the bow in the line moves two to four inches either side of its
rest position. Definite slack in the line can be seen without shaking the bar.
Quite Slack
The center of the bow in the line moves four or more inches either side of its
rest position. Slack in the line can be easily seen without shaking the bar.