12
Climbing
Once you took off safely, continue heading against the wind, using
brakes to correct rate of climb. Do not try to climb too steeply -
attempts to increase climb rate by pulling the brakes will have an
adverse effect - due to the additional drag actual rate of climb will
worsen, and with the throttle fully opened open even a stall can
happen.
In powered flight, if there are no obstacles present, it is by far safer
(and more impressive for the spectators) to fly level for a while after
take-off and gain some speed before converting it to height with a
brief pull on the brakes.
Another reason not to try climbing too steeply is the risk connected
with engine failure at low altitude. Besides, you should always be
able to land safely in case of engine malfunction, so it’s better not
to take unnecessary chances and always fly with a safe margin of
speed. Depending on the power unit geometry, it is possible that
after take-off you will notice a propeller torque (turning moment). It
will try to turn you around, so be counter-steer it with a brake or
harness cross-bracing. You can also release one trimmer a bit (by a
few cm) opposite to the turning moment.
When climbing steeply with slow trim settings and high power
output beware of the possibility of stall.
Power-unit induced oscillations
Certain configurations of engine weight, output and propeller
diameter can cause serious oscillations, during which the pilot is
being lifted to one side by the torque effect, swings down due to
his weight, then is lifted again and so on.
To avoid this you can:
<
change the throttle setting and/or
<
adjust the cross bracing to counteract the torque, if there is one
present and/or
<
shift yourself to the other side of the harness and/or
<
change the trimmer setting.
The best method is to fasten opposite cross-bracing, or apply some
weight-shift. Such oscillations usually occur at full power - the
greater the engine output and propeller diameter, the bigger the
swings. In addition there are often too late or wrong pilot reactions,
flight
