Vers.1.0
01/02/2011
S. 12 / 33
reverse launches. We recommend performing launches with closed trimmers.
(So with the slowest setting)
Normal flight
If you release both brakes (“Hands up”) and if you close the trimmers the
BION glides at the so called “trim speed”. At this speed, the glide ratio reaches
its maximum.
If you fly into a headwind or through sinking air, you should use the trim
system. If you use the trim system in very turbulent conditions, you have to
consider more demanding reactions in the case of a collapse. This is why you
should keep more distance to the ground if you fly accelerated.
If you fly in strong turbulences we recommend applying both brakes slightly.
This increases the stability and you get good feedback through the brakes,
which is necessary to fly your wing actively.
Flying actively means permanent control and correction of the angle of attack
in turbulent air. If you fly from lift into an area of sinking air, the angle of
attack will decrease and the wing will pitch down. A good pilot will realise this
even before the wing pitches down, by a reduced brake pressure. The right
reaction would be to apply the brakes more and thereby increase brake pressure
to prevent the wing from pitching down or even from collapsing in turbulent
conditions.
Flying from sinking air into lift is just the opposite: Without any pilot action,
the angle of attack would increase and the wing would pitch up. The pilot can
feel this, by an increased brake pressure. In this situation, the pilot should
release the brakes to reduce the pitch movement.
To generalize:
If the brake pressure decreases and if the wing pitches down, the pilot should
apply more brakes. If the brake pressure increases and if the wing pitches up,
the brakes should be released.
With proper active flight control, the pilot can avoid most of the collapses and
keep control in every moment. The best way to learn this is of course flying,
