Wills Wing Alpha 180 Owner's Service Manual page 10

pilot applies positive pitch control in a moderate to steep bank at a high rate or in combination with
roll control input so as to roll towards the high wing. Recovery from a spin requires unstalling of the
wing, and it is therefore important that in the event of a spin, no application of nose up pitch control
be held. The Alpha will recover from a spin once control pressures are relaxed. As the nose low-
ers and the angle of attack is reduced, the stall will be broken and the spin will stop. However, such
recovery will consume significant altitude, and will result in the glider assuming an unpredictable
heading. Recovery from a spin may therefore involve a flight trajectory which intersects the terrain at
a high rate of speed. An aggravated spin could result in loss of control, in flight inversion, and struc-
tural failure. Therefore no attempt should ever be made to deliberately spin the glider. Care should be
taken not to set the hang point too far aft in a manner that causes the trim speed to be too close to the
stall speed, as this will increase the chance of entering a spin inadvertently. (See the sections in this
manual on "Using Wing Tufts" and "Trimming The Glider In Pitch" for more information.
The maximum steady state speed for a prone pilot in the middle of the recommended weight range
full forward on the control bar is approximately 34 mph for the Alpha 210 and approximately 37 mph
for the Alpha 180. The placarded speed never to exceed for the Alpha is 44 mph, and the maneuver-
ing / rough air speed is 38 mph. The Alpha can be flown in steady state high speed flight with the
pilot full forward over the bar in a normal prone position without exceeding the VNE speed, however
maneuvering flight may result in speeds in excess of Vne. Abrupt maneuvers should not be made at
speeds above 38 mph.
The stability, controllability, and structural strength of a properly maintained Alpha have been deter-
mined to be adequate for safe operation when the glider is operated within all of the manufacturer
specified limitations. No warranty of adequate stability, controllability, or structural strength is made
or implied for operation outside of these limitations.
The stall speed of the Alpha at maximum recommended wing loading is 25 mph or less. The top
(steady state) speed at minimum recommended wing loading for a prone pilot with a properly de-
signed and adjusted harness is at least 32 mph.
All speeds given above are indicated airspeeds, for a properly calibrated airspeed indicator mounted
in the vicinity of the pilot. Such an airspeed indicator is available through your Wills Wing dealer.
The recommended hook in pilot weight range for the Alpha is:
Apha 180: 125 – 200 lbs
Alpha 210: 150 - 280 lbs.
Be advised that pilots with hook in weights of less than 120% of the minimum hook in weight will
find the Alpha somewhat more demanding of pilot skill to fly, and that pilots hooking in at more than
85% of the maximum hook in weight some relative degradation of optimum sink rate performance
due to their higher wing loading. Please note that the term "recommended pilot hook in weight" re-
fers to the weight range within which the glider meets the basic minimum performance and handling
standards for which the glider was designed. When choosing among two sizes, the more appropriate
information to use would be the optimum pilot hook in weight range which is 144 lbs to 175 lbs for
the Alpha 180, and 176 lbs to 240 lbs for the Alpha 210.
A minimum USHGA Novice (II) level of pilot proficiency is required to fly the Alpha safely, unless
under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor.
Operation of the glider by unqualified or under qualified pilots may be dangerous.
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