24
Section 5
Flying the TWIN RS
Turns
With the TWIN RS, Swing has developed a
glider which reacts immediately to steering
input and is extremely responsive. The TWIN
RS performs best in turns when it is flown
with sufficient speed and using weight-
shifting. Too much braking increases the sink
rate.
The TWIN RS has extremely low negative
tendency, so it can also be turned in a tight
area by carefully pulling the inside brake line.
If the brakes are applied more, the bank
attitude increases and the glider will fly a fast
turn increasing in steepness, which will
eventually become a spiral dive (further
information on this i
s in the section “Spiral
Dive”).
Rapid descent methods
Many flying situations call for a very rapid
descent to avoid a dangerous situation, e.g.
the upcurrent from a cumulus cloud, an
approaching cold front or a storm front.
Rapid descent methods should all be
practised in calm conditions and at sufficient
altitude so that a pilot is then able to employ
them effectively if extreme conditions arise.
The rapid descents are divided into three
different manoeuvres which increase the sink
rate in a safe and controllable manner.
Spiral dives
The spiral dive is the most effective method
for making a rapid descent, and can allow
sink rates of up to 20 m/s to be reached. It is
suitable where there is a high ascent rate
and little wind.
The certification tests differentiate between
sink rates over and under 14 m/s. The TWIN
RS automatically recovers from the spiral
dive within one turn up to 14 m/s. Above 14
m/s, it may be necessary to break the
outside half of the wing and/or weight- shift
to the outside to recover from the spiral. With
a sink rate up to 20 m/s and a neutral
position of the pilot, the spiral does not
tighten automatically. Exiting the manoeuvre
at high sink rates can take several turns.
Given the complexity and the possible risks
of the spiral dive, SWING recommends that
this manoeuvre be learnt under qualified
instruction.
Starting the manoeuvre
Begin the spiral dive whilst flying at full speed
by flying a turn which becomes tighter and
tighter and by using weight- shifting to the
inside (refer here also to the section
“Turns”).
The bank angle and sink rate are controlled
by carefully applying or releasing the inside
brake.
Look down before and during the spiral dive
to maintain a constant check on your
distance from the ground.
WARNING
In the spiral dive, very high turn speeds
can be reached with an increase in
acceleration due to gravity (up to over 6g),
so exercise care when attempting this
manoeuvre. Take note of the following:
Do not enter the spiral dive by way of a
wingover. High sink rates can be reached
very quickly by doing this. It is not possible
to gauge the sink rates safely.
Do not continue the spiral dive for too
long: it could cause a loss of
consciousness.
Always maintain
ground clearance of
150-200m
. The manoeuvre must be
exited at this height above ground.
Spiral dives with “big ears” lead to
extreme loading of the open section of the
canopy. This move is prohibited in
Germany.
