Handbuch / Manuel d’utilisation / Owners Manuel - Airwave Magic 5 – rev 1.0 – 20.09.08 Page 30 / 30
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the pilot will need to lean forward in the harness and grasp the Big ears risers (one in each hand) at the
maillon, keeping hold of both brake handles if possible. Pull the riser out and down at least 30 cm so as to
collapse the tips of the glider. It is very important that the other A lines are not affected when you do this
as it could cause the whole leading edge to collapse. Steering is possible by weight shifting with big ears
in. If the big ears does not come out quickly on its own a pump on the brake will speed things up.
Before using the big ears facility in earnest it is essential to practice beforehand with plenty of ground
clearance in case a leading edge collapse occurs. Always keep hold of both brakes in order to retain
control. Putting your hands through the brake handles so they remain on your wrists is a good method of
doing this.
B-Line Stall
WARNING:
Because the Magic 5 has only 3 rows of lines the descent rate is much faster during a B line stall than on
5 line gliders. This means that you should have more altitude before attempting a B line stall, and monitor
you descent rate and altitude during the descent.
This is a fast descent method and is a useful emergency procedure. With both hands through the brake
handles, the pilot takes hold of the top of the B risers, one in each hand, and pulls them down slowly and
smoothly by around 50 cm. If you pull the B risers too quickly the glider may enter a front horseshoe. If
this starts to happen release the B lines right away.
Pulling the B lines will stall the canopy and your forward speed will drop to zero. Make sure you have
plenty of ground clearance because the decent rate can be over 10 m/sec. To increase the descent rate
pull harder on the B riser. When you release the B riser the canopy will automatically start flying again,
normally within two seconds. Sometimes the canopy will turn gently when it exits from the B line stall. It is
normally better to release the B riser fairly quickly rather than slowly as this may result in the canopy
entering deep stall. Always release the riser symmetrically as an asymmetric release from a B line stall
may result in the glider entering a spin. This manoeuvre is useful when losing a lot of height quickly is
necessary, perhaps when escaping from a thunderstorm. It should not be performed with less than 150 m
of ground clearance. (see also Chapter V, part 1)
Spiral Dive
A normal turn can be converted into a strong spiral dive by continuing to apply one brake. The bank angle
and speed of the turn will increase as the downward spiral is continued. Be careful to enter the spiral
gradually as too quick a brake application can cause a spin or enter an 'over the nose' spiral.
Airwave gliders are designed and tested to recover from normal spirals with a descent rate inferior to 14
m/sec, automatically without pilot input. If the pilot increases the descent rate of the spiral to over 14
m/sec or initiates what is known as an 'over the nose' spiral, the glider may require pilot input to recover.
In this case all the pilot needs to do is to apply some outside brake and steer the glider out of the turn.
The ''over the nose' spiral is a special type of spiral dive where the glider points almost directly at the
ground. This is entered by making a sudden brake application during the spiral entry so that the glider
yaws around, and the nose of the glider ends up pointing at the ground, after this the glider picks up
speed very quickly. This technique is very similar to SAT entry technique, and like the SAT it is an
aerobatic manoeuvre which is outside the normal safe flight envelope. Please do not practice these
manoeuvres as they can be dangerous.
Care should be taken when exiting from any spiral dive. To pull out of a steep spiral dive release the
applied brake gradually, or apply opposite brake gradually. A sharp release of the brake can cause the
glider to surge and dive as the wing converts speed to lift. Always be ready to damp out any potential dive
with the brakes. Also be ready to encounter turbulence when you exit from a spiral because you may fly
though your own wake turbulence, which can cause a collapse.
Speed System
The Magic 5 is sold with accelerator risers and a speed stirrup as standard but can be flown without the
speed stirrup attached.
Launching and general flying is normally done without using the accelerator. The accelerator bar should
be used when higher speed is important. A 70 kg pilot on the Magic 5 – medium should be able to reach a
speed of 55 kph or more using the accelerator system. Glide angle is not as good at this speed, so it is not
necessarily the best way to race in thermic conditions and the canopy is slightly more susceptible to
