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Author Topic: ASW15a - first launch  (Read 8572 times)

Offline Julian Pellatt

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ASW15a - first launch
« on: 06 December 2004, 04:08 »
I had my first launch today in an ASW15a which myself and two partners had bought from Shennington, Oxfordshire.

The airfield is at Denbigh Gliding Club (Lleweni Parc), UK.

Weather conditions this date (5 December) were bright and zero wind.  I had a wing tip runner on the port wing.

Apart from canopoy misting inside and out, my first flight in this type went fine - she was a joy to fly.

I would appreciate any more advice on the swing issue.

Also - any advice on spinning characteristics and recovery.

Photo attached.

Many thanks

'Chipoko'

Offline Gil Kinzie

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Re:ASW15a - first launch
« Reply #1 on: 06 December 2004, 22:07 »
do you mean the swing issue of how it pivots to the right at the beginning of launch?  First get a well trained wing man on the left wing, have him hold the wing back a bit,just enough to keep the nose from going right.  Also if the nose gets too far right roll  left,dragthe left wing for a nano second or two, this will bring the nose back on line immediately.

I have spun mine about 6 times.  It is very honest and will spin easily enough, bring the stick back to an area that will definitly stall the plane  and as it stalls kick in about 3/4 rudder to either side while holdingthestick back.  When it goes  it goes like it means it.  To recover I put the stick just nose down from trim and about 1/2 opposite rudder.  It continues about 1/2 rev or so while it comes out.  Mine shakes and doesn't feel real comfortable in spins yet to me but I'm lovin my loops.

Offline Julian Pellatt

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Re:ASW15a - first launch
« Reply #2 on: 09 December 2004, 06:54 »
Kamakinzie

Thanks for the feedback!

I forgot to mention that mione was a winch launch.  I did have someone on the left wing and assume this must have helped.

Re the spin:

1.  Not quite sure what you mean by "stick forward of trim"

2.  How is the spin "uncomfortable"?

3.  does the nose bunt beyond the vertical?

From your description it sounds relatively responsive to normal spin recovery inputs.

Advice appreciated.

My first experience was positive - feels like a super aircraft and very responsive but steady.  How does it handle in turbulent air?

Chipoko

Offline Martin James Attwell

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Re:ASW15a - first launch
« Reply #3 on: 09 December 2004, 12:06 »
Hi Chipoko

I haven't put mine into a spin yet, but I will this weekend coming and let you know.
Turbulent air:
Remember that there is a VNE for tubulent air! I find that it is a bit bumpy due to the stiffness of the wings, and due to the all flying tail, it tends to throw me out of really strong thermals. It raises my tail way above the nose and usually kicks me out to the opposite side in turning to.
Fortunately I find this too much fun, and enjoy the bumpy air.
I also have winglets on mine and find that travelling at 160khm in turbulent air is rather bumpy. Becareful of this if you are a big guy like me (I'm 6'2", 85kg) with my head right up against the canopy. I'm scared that I punch a hole into the canopy in rough air with my head, so I tend not to push things.

As some previous responses to your first launch said, make sure you have an experienced wing runner on launch....winch or aeortow, as they will be able to assist in keeping the nose from pulling to the right.

Regards

Martin
Lima 1

Offline Gil Kinzie

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Re:ASW15a - first launch
« Reply #4 on: 10 December 2004, 23:21 »
What I mean is, you are flying around at a trimmed speed,  say 50 MPH. Ease the stick back about 3/4 of the way and as it rises hold it there.  If you hold the stick all the way aft it will break through even more aggressively and you probably don't need that yet.  So as it slows, the nose is pointed quite up,not verticle but way up.  Just at the stall/break add about 2/3 rudder to your direction of choise.   As it breaks through it begins a quite aggressive spin, mine starts to buffit quite a bit as the stab hits the trubulated air off the wings I think. This is the part I don't care for and have never felt in anything else I have spun.  Also mine tends to speed up the rotation speed so I have,so far,always begun my pullout at no more than 1.5 revs.

Here is when I push the stick slightly forward of where I had the glider trimmed.   If you push the stick way forward  it tends to recover even more vertically than it is already at  and it spins quite nose down.  I do,however, use full opposite rudder to recover the direction.  Mine likes to spin once it is well established and just neutralizing the rudder allows the spin to continue maybe as much as a nother rev. You can just center the controls and it will pull out,but it takes it's time.  I like to "pull it out"  So I use a bit of nose down  and a lot of rudder.

It is very predictable and, as always,does as it's told.  But it breaks in aggressively and likes to keep going unless the controls are released to center. It went a little further than expected when I recovered it initially but I have learned to expect that now and it is not disconcerning.

Bottom line,it spins and recovers nicely,but is a bit aggressive with full deflection and buffits a bit.  (full deflections are by no means necessary for it to spin)

Offline Julian Pellatt

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Re:ASW15a - first launch
« Reply #5 on: 11 December 2004, 02:04 »
Kamakinzie

Thanks for the clarification re spin.  Sounds interesting but manageable.  Will get more used to it before attempting spin (already stalled it and found it behaved well without wing-drop).

Your advice very helpful.

Will update you in due course.

Chipoko

 

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