36
Evaluating Bridle Adjustment By Pilot Full Forward Pitch Pressure
A final evaluation of the bridle adjustment should be done by flying the glider in a steady
state, pilot full forward dive at each of the three VG settings and checking the pitch bar
pressures. (This should be done only in smooth air). The pilot full forward position should be
approached slowly and gradually, so that zooming and hysteresis in speed and bar pressure
are avoided. At steady state pilot full forward, the variation in pitch pressures with VG
settings should fall within the range indicated on the graph below. As a reference, the normal
VG loose pitch pressure on the
RamAir
is noticably lighter than an HP AT. The VG middle
pressure will be noticeably lighter than VG loose, and the VG tight pitch pressure should fall
somewhere between VG middle and VG loose on the 154, and be lighter than VG middle on
the 146.
(Numbers at the left are approximate total pounds of force felt on the bar. The acceptable
range indicates the allowable variations in these total force numbers.)
Likely Causes of Pitch Pressures Outside the Acceptable Ranges:
The table below summarizes the likely causes of pitch pressures outside the acceptable
ranges:
Vg Setting
Pressures Too Light
Pressures Too Heavy
Loose
Some problem other than bridle
Compensator Adjusted
adjustment - call factory
Too Tight - Loosen
Middle
154: Compensator Adjusted
Compensator Adjusted Too Tight - Loosen
Too Loose - Tighten
146: Some problem other than bridle
adjustment - call factory
Tight
154: Upper Compensator Pigtail Too Long
154: Upper Compensator Pigtail Too Short
Install 0.3" Shorter U.C. pigtail
Install 0.3" Longer U.C. pigtail
146: Some problem other than bridle
146: Compensator adjusted too
adjustment - call factory
tight - Loosen
RamAir 154
Pitch Force Pilot Full Forward
Prohibited
Acceptable
0
10
20
30
VG Loose
VG Middle
VG Tight
RamAir 146
Pitch Force Pilot Full Forward
Prohibited
Acceptable
0
10
20
30
VG Loose
VG Middle
VG Tight