Puma 13.5
Owner’s Manual
Checking the profile
The best place to check the profile of your battens is at home on a flat surface. (It is very difficult to do on
the hill with no flat surfaces and the wind blowing the paper profile away.)
The printed profile should be rolled out flat and a book placed at either end to hold it down.
The battens can then be compared to the profile.
Place green (right) number 1 batten against number 1 profile. Place the front end of the batten against the
profile and check that it matches the profile along its whole length.
If it does not match the profile see where it deviates and adjust the batten accordingly in that area. (See
below.) Continue this process until the batten matches the profile. Then do the same for red number 1 batten.
Check that both number 1 battens are exactly the same shape. It is more important that the battens are
symmetrical than that they are a perfect copy of the profile. Asymmetrical battens could cause a turn in your
glider.
Move onto batten number 2 and so on until you have checked all the battens. Do not forget to check the
compression strut. Also check that the under surface battens are straight.
Nose batten
The nose batten profile should not be under-cambered but can be a little over-cambered. This is because the
cut of the sail will tend to flatten the batten if it is over-cambered. The objective with the nose batten is to get
the sail to fit tightly around the nose area.
Batten Profile
The batten profile is printed with the profile or shape that the battens should match. The profile is printed
and there may be a slight error in the length of the battens. (1-2%) Thus battens with shape at each end
should be aligned with the nearest end when checking the shape.
How to alter the shape of the batten
The objective is to get a smoothly curved batten but it is not quite as easy as it looks. It is very difficult to
bend the batten very close to its front end. Do not attempt to alter the profile over the first 3cm of the batten.
If your battens need profiling do the 6082 battens first as they are much softer.
To increase the curve in the batten hold the batten either side of where you want to increase the curve and run
the batten over your knee or leg exerting a gentle pressure. (It helps if you are wearing something slippery.)
Compare with the profile and repeat if necessary. Try to avoid point bends and make sure that the bends are
all in the same plane. (7075 is a hard aluminium alloy and extra care must be taken while profiling to avoid
broken battens.) To reduce the curve, do the opposite of the above either over your knee or preferably by
pressing on a flat surface. If you have a point bend try and remove it. Warm battens seem to be less likely to
snap while bending. Putting them on the radiator briefly at home before bending should help. (However
don’t get them too hot as this will destroy the hardness of the batten.)
Batten Tensions
See tuning below.
TUNING INSTRUCTIONS
It is important to remember that tuning a glider is in no way meant as a remedy for a damaged glider.
If your glider has been flying well and suddenly changes (e.g. after a heavy landing.) you should
thoroughly check your glider to find out what has been damaged. If you can’t find a problem take it
back to Avian and get the glider stripped down for a thorough inspection and all damage repaired.
Puma 13.5 hand book-Rev-02
17
Summary of Contents for PUMA 13.5
Page 1: ...PUMA 13 5...
Page 21: ...Puma 13 5 Owner s Manual Figure 4 Checking batten tension Puma 13 5 hand book Rev 02 21...
Page 38: ...Puma 13 5 Owner s Manual Section 3 Assembly Drawings Puma 13 5 hand book Rev 02 38...
Page 39: ...Puma 13 5 Owner s Manual NOSE ASSEMBLY Figure 10 Nose assembly Puma 13 5 hand book Rev 02 39...
