Important - airwave Gecko Manuel D'utilisation

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
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 Gecko 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 Gecko – medium should be able to reach a
speed of 46 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 Gecko is very straightforward. Flare the Gecko 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
Gecko 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.
Chapter V
Recovery Techniques
Stalls
These manoeuvres are dangerous and should not be practised in the course of normal flying. Stalls are
caused through flying too slowly. Airspeed is lost as brake pressure increases and as the canopy
approaches the stall it will start to descend vertically and finally begin to collapse. Should this occur it is
important that the pilot release the brakes at the correct moment. The brakes should never be released
when the wing has fallen behind the pilot. Also when releasing the brakes it is best not to release them too
Handbuch / Manuel d'utilisation / Owners Manuel - Airwave Gecko Alpine – rev 1.0 – 20.08.08 Page 29 / 29
29