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Related Manuals for Aériane Swift'Light
Summary of Contents for Aériane Swift'Light
- Page 1 M i c r o l i g h t A i r c r a f t a n d C o m p o s i t e E n g i n e e r i n g Swift’Light Flight Manual May 2003...
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Page 2: Fly Safely
Swift’Light – Flight manual Warning You are going to be a Swift pilot! Congratulations, and welcome on board the highest performing foot launch aircraft on the market. The Swift is designed to be easy to fly and safe. BUT, like all forms of flight the Swift requires an appropriate training, which encompasses the flying of the Swift as well as knowledge of the weather conditions and the air mass. -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Swift’Light – Flight manual Contents Introduction: - Flight training of Swift pilot - Rigging manual, settings and parts list - Transportation - Handling - Stocking - Adding equipment 1. Limits of use – Speed – weight – load factor 2. The controls - Elevons-flaps-rudder - Position of the pilot - Hammock mechanism... - Page 4 Swift’Light – Flight manual Full reading and comprehension of this manual is imperative before the 1 flight! Introduction The Swift‘Light is designed to be very light and strong. The wings are very tough in flight and the machine is made to be rigged frequently. The main problems are encountered when the rigging procedure is not carried out according to manufacturer specifications, these are found in the RIGGING MANUAL.
- Page 5 Swift’Light – Flight manual Storage The wings must be stored in the dry, out of direct sunlight and avoid extreme temperatures. If the wings get wet they must be dried ASAP. If the wings are not stored in the XC container then wing supports must be wide and in respect of the twist of the wings.
- Page 6 Swift’Light – Flight manual 1. Limits of use – Weight – Speeds – Load factor The swift light is a foot launch able glider designed to fly in lift. Unlike other footlaunchable aircraft, with the Swift’Light it is easy to fly much faster than the Vne (Never Exceed speed).
- Page 7 Swift’Light – Flight manual 2. Controls The elevons ❑ The elevons act as ailerons and elevators. The joy stick, on the side, is connected by linkage together with a gearing mechanism which controls pitch and roll which makes the swift control as any other classical airplane. You can adjust the weight of controls and trim the speed with the joystick in neutral.
- Page 8 Swift’Light – Flight manual The flaps ❑ The flaps are controlled with rope and clamcleat. Pulling the rope adds flaps deflection and slows the wing while pitching the nose up slightly. Thorough knowledge of all the flight characteristics of the Swift at various flap settings is necessary in order to fly the Swift safely.
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Page 9: Hammock Mechanism
Swift’Light – Flight manual Pilot’s position ❑ The Swift is very sensitive to the CG position. The pilot can act on this easily and adopt several different positions. This allows you to trim the glider, and also optimize the performances in respect to the various flying configurations. Actually, flying with large control inputs increases drag and the pilot can limit the degree of control surface used by adopting the right position within the cockpit. - Page 10 Swift’Light – Flight manual In flight, one can adjust the hammock height. Small adjustment can be made moving the locking rope. For more adjustment: release the locking rope and modify the height of the hammock To tighten the hammock, lift ones weight and let the hammock achieved the required ❑...
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Page 11: Ground Handling
Swift’Light – Flight manual 3. Ground handling If the Swift is not close to the take off one can move in 4 ways: 1. On nice ground, one can roll it. Put Always support the wing with flat the flaps at 0°and push backwards by hands, on the bottom surface and on the pushing on the nose. -
Page 12: Foot Launch
Swift’Light – Flight manual 4. Foot launch !!Pre flight check before each flight!! a. How to get the Swift on ones shoulders 1. Make sure the hammock is in slack position. 2. With the left hand pulling the strap, lift the tail With the aid of the little strap found on the left of the Swift up with the right tiplet pivoting on... - Page 13 Swift’Light – Flight manual 5. Ease the trap doors apart so that they fit 6. Pass the right leg over the hammock. comfortably around the legs. 7. Tighten the shoulder straps to maximum. 8. Clip together the little clips between the shoulder straps and then adjust it.
- Page 14 Swift’Light – Flight manual 9. Attach the harness to the parachute bridle 10. When you are ready for take off and the find on the right longitudinal tube. Unlock the conditions are right, lean forward a bit and safety mechanism of the parachute. Adjust take hold of the longitudinal tubes.
- Page 15 Swift’Light – Flight manual b. Foot launch The ideal take off is a progressive slop that is not too steep. Get to the take off area and put the Swift nose down with one of the tiplets on the ground. The wind must be straight on as the Swift has a strong tendency to yaw into the wind.
- Page 16 Swift’Light – Flight manual 5. Take off on wheels ( winch or air tow ) a. How to get into the cockpit. 1. Put on the harness. Set the flaps to 40° 2. Stand up on the Hammock using the trailing then from behind put one foot on the edge to balance.
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Page 17: Take Off
Swift’Light – Flight manual d. Take off 1. In general Towing and aero towing should have good radio communication. Do not over control; the Swift tends to auto correct deviations due to turbulence in part. Do not keep the controls in extreme positions (too much back stick, flaps at 30 or 40 degrees) this will decrease the efficiency of the wing 2. - Page 18 Swift’Light – Flight manual 3. Winch Connect the cable to the tow release on the pivoting device found between the two horizontal tubes of the cockpit, found in the winch release option. This device brings the axis of the towline closer to the center of gravity of the Swift. ...
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Page 19: Flight
Swift’Light – Flight manual 6. In Flight The Swift is easy to fly, and gives very good control authority. Beware of the speed: the Swift has very little drag and can rapidly go very fast. And the fairings do not allow a pilot use to other forms of free flight to realize the speed. ... - Page 20 Swift’Light – Flight manual Spin The Swift’Light is very difficult to spin. Recovery is automatic in less than one revolution if the stick is released. To recover immediately push the joy stick forward and give opposite rudder. Stall Slow decrease in speed will get a very progressive stall. With the stick on the back stoppers the Swift slowly pitch oscillates without great height loss and stays controllable with the elevons whatever the position of the flaps.
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Page 21: Landing
Swift’Light – Flight manual 7. Landing Do an approach at the right speed: classic error is to come in too fast. In this condition, the Swift is very long to land, the aircraft can fly all the field without landing or otherwise very violently. -
Page 22: On The Wheels
Swift’Light – Flight manual a. Landing on the wheels It is possible to wind cross wind (in this case the touch down speed increases). For safety reasons it is better to keep your feet above the hammock roller, you can still control the rudders from here. -
Page 23: First Flights
Swift’Light – Flight manual 8. First flights It is ideal to follow a specific Swift training course. If this is not possible the pilot must have an adapted training. Good experience on sailplane and hang glider is the best base. Even if you will be foot launching, it is best to winch tow/aero-tow to start with before the training slope. -
Page 24: Technical Data And Speeds
Swift’Light – Flight manual 9. Technical data and speeds Empty 48 kg / 106 lbs without fairing Maximum take off weight 158 kg / 347 lbs (version without motor) Span 12,8 m / 42 ft Surface area 12,5 m² / 136 ft² Aspect ratio 12,9 Sweep (at 25% of the cord) -
Page 25: Pre-Flight Checks
Swift’Light – Flight manual Pre Flight checks Cockpit Fairing and windows assembly. ❑ 3 pushpins + safety washers. ❑ Joy stick and connections to the wing – full and free movement in all directions – ❑ no interference. Flap wires connection. ❑...
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