airwave SPORT 5 S Manuel D'utilisation page 29

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 manouvre which is outside
the normal safe flight envelope. Please do not practice these manouvres 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 SPORT 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 SPORT 5 – medium should be able to reach a speed of 50
kph using the accelerator system. Glide angle is not as good in this format, so it is not necessarily the best way
to race in thermic conditions and the canopy is slightly more susceptible to deflations. Using the stirrup can
require some effort and the pilot´s balance in the harness can be affected. It may be necessary to make some
adjustments to the harness. We recommend that only fly in conditions where you can penetrate with the risers
level so that you have the extra airspeed should you need it.
To fly at maximum speed the stirrup should be applied gradually until the upper pulley on the A riser butts
against the pulley at the riser base.
IMPORTANT
•
Do practice using the speed system in normal flying.
•
Be careful flying fast in rough or turbulent conditions as deflations are more likely to occur at speed. The
increased speed is achieved by reducing the angle of attack, this means that the canopy will collapse only
slightly more easily.
•
Remember that your glide deteriorates at higher speeds. Best glides are achieved when the risers are level
and the brakes are off.
Check the component parts at regular intervals for wear and tear and ensure that the system always works
smoothly.
Landing
Landing the SPORT 5 is very straightforward. Flare the SPORT 5 in the normal way from an altitude of around 2
m when landing in light winds. It may sometimes help to take wraps on the brakes to make the flare more
effective.
Strong wind landings require a different technique. If you use the brakes to flare in a strong wind the SPORT 5
tends to convert this to height. This can be real problem.
The best method is to take hold of the C risers at the maillons just before landing, and collapse the canopy using
these when you have landed. The glider will collapse very quickly using this method. The glider can also be
steered using the rear risers but be careful not to cause a premature stall.
After landing the B risers can also be used to collapse the canopy, although it is more difficult to control the
collapsed canopy on the ground using this method.
Handbuch / Manuel d'utilisation / Owners Manuel - Airwave SPORT 5 – Issue rev 1.2 – 11/2011 Page 29 / 36