Normal Flight - Nova MENTOR 3 Manual

3.) Lines (A lines on top, all lines sorted, brake line unlooped between
brake handle and pulley)
4.) Glider (glider lies arched with opened cell openings at take off.)
5.) Wind and airspace (wind suitable for launch and airspace in front of
take off free of other gliders)
The MENTOR 3 has a very well balanced and easy take off behaviour.
Corrections are easy to perform at any time and no special advice is needed for
forward or reverse launches.
A proper take off technique can only be learnt by intensive training. That's why
we recommend to spend some time on a training hill every once in a while.
Also some ground handling will improve your take off skills. The best thing is
to have an experienced pilot with you who can help with some advice.
Like this, you will soon be able to launch your glider confidently, even in
difficult conditions. This will add a lot of safety to your flying and it allows you
to enjoy your flights from the very beginning.

Normal flight

If you release both brakes ("Hands up") the MENTOR 3 glides at the so called
"trim speed". At this speed, the glide ratio reaches its maximum.
If you fly into a headwind or through sinking air, you should use the accelerator
to maximise your glide ratio. If you use the accelerator in turbulent conditions,
you have to consider more demanding reactions in the case of a collapse. So
you should keep more distance from the ground if you fly accelerated.
If you fly in strong turbulences we recommend applying both brakes slightly.
This increases the stability and you get good feedback through the brakes,
which is necessary to fly your wing actively.
Flying actively means permanent control and correction of the angle of attack
in turbulent air. If you fly from lift into an area of sinking air, the angle of
attack will decrease and the wing will pitch down. A good pilot will realise this
even before the wing pitches down, by a reduced brake pressure. The right
reaction would be to apply the brakes more and thereby increase brake pressure
to prevent the wing from pitching down or even from collapsing in turbulent
conditions.
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