Friend Topic #28

Honoring the rich history and bright future of gliding at Dockweiler Beach

Friend Topic #28

Postby Bob Kuczewski » Fri Jun 12, 2015 7:17 pm

JoeF wrote:28. Research and make a sturdy poster showing steps to unpack the Condor 330 HG. And on the other side: steps to pack the Condor 330 HG. Have a master copy online. Renew the poster occasionally. Perhaps laminate the poster to respect sand, moisture, and use.
https://www.willswing.com/support/manuals/


That's a super idea Joe!!!

Here's a little bit more from the Wills Wing Manual you referenced:

Manual for Condor 330, Wills Wing manual wrote:The Condor comes configured with a two-position xbar sweep wire. (Two tangs are attached at the end of the sweep wire.) This allows for a looser and a tighter billow setting. The looser setting provides a slight increase in roll response, but reduces the glider’s inherent tendency to track in a straight line, lowers the glide ratio and raises the stall speed by as much as 1 mph. The tighter setting makes the glider more likely to track straight, improves the stall speed and glide ratio performance, but reduces control authority somewhat.

We recommend the tighter setting for straight flight in true calm air conditions or light winds which are extremely smooth. (These are the optimum conditions for the use of this glider). The looser setting may be more appropriate in conditions where thermal activity of wind gusts may require the student to make corrections to maintain directional control.

When setting up and breaking down the Condor, be aware of the fact that it utilizes a very light structure, with very long frame members. Take care not to exert bending loads on the keel, and to keep the keel as much as possible in plane with the leading edges. We have found it helpful to erect the kingpost and attach the top rear wire before spreading the wings during set up as this adds stability and support to the keel. (The wire must then be detached and re-attached after the xbar sweep wire is attached. Please note that there is a webbing loop on top of the sail at the trailing edge. It is intended that the top rear wire be passed through this loop, in order to support the reflex in the rear of the keel pocket.) This will also prevent the kingpost top from being wedged behind the crossbar as the wings are spread, which otherwise has a tendency to happen.

Inserting the battens is best done with the xbar not tensioned. The longest battens will tend to catch behind the leading edge. Sometimes you can pull the batten out slightly, fluff the sail upwards and re-insert the batten, and it will clear the leading edge. Sometimes you will need to go to the front of the batten and lift it over the leading edge tube.

The plug-on number one battens are bent in order to better match the curve of the sail. The shorter segment is the front, and when installed properly, the batten should curve downwards towards the tail like a normal cambered batten would.

During breakdown, take care when folding the wings in that the crossbar center does not drop down between the keel and leading edges, and become wedged there as the wings are folded in.

If you are short-packing the glider (removing the rear leading edges) for transport, take care when re-installing them for set-up that they are installed in the correct side, with the proper orientation, and that the slots in the rear leading edges are fully seated and locked against rotation


Maybe we could take some pictures tomorrow to put together a nice description of the recommended setup and breakdown procedures they use for the Condor at Dockweiler.
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Re: Friend Topic #28

Postby JoeF » Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:25 am

:arrow: During unpacking: tie down ONLY the basebar.

[ ] :?: :?: When is the optimal time to set the keel batten? Just after _______________________.
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Re: Friend Topic #28

Postby Frank Colver » Mon Jul 13, 2015 10:19 pm

I thought it was interesting that Mike Meier doesn't take the keel batten out of the Alpha210. He packs up the glider with it in place. I wonder if it is possible to do that with the Condor330 also? They are similar designs and that would make for one less set-up & take-down step.

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Re: Friend Topic #28

Postby JoeF » Mon Jul 13, 2015 10:39 pm

In both the Condor 330 and Alpha 210, the keel batten stays in its location mostly. But the Condor's batten is lifted just off its keeper nub during pack.
I do not know for sure whether or not the Alpha 210 keel batten is kept on its flight position during pack or not.
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Re: Friend Topic #28

Postby Frank Colver » Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:36 pm

It was kept in the flight position. Someone had already lifted it off the forward mount and Mike put it back on and mentioned that it should stay in position.
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