Flying the TWIN RS 2
Section 05
21
Launching is even easier if the canopy is
arranged in a half-moon shape.
The TWIN RS 2 is suitable for reverse-launching
from wind speeds of 3 m/s. The pilot turns
around to face the glider with the updraft
coming from behind. Pulling on the front lines
makes the canopy start to rise above the pilot,
as in a forwards launch. The pilot should turn
around into the direction of flight when the
canopy reaches its highest point, and can then
begin to run and take off.
This method of launch makes it easier for the
pilot to control the rising of the canopy and to
carry
out
fine-tuning,
so
is
therefore
recommended in strong winds.
WARNING
The pilot must work actively to keep the
glider on the ground in higher wind speeds
(from approx. 6 m/s), otherwise the glider
may rise above the pilot unintentionally.
PLEASE NOTE
When reverse launching or when ground-
handling, be careful not to loop the brake
lines through the risers because this can
damage the risers.
Level flight
When the brakes are open, the TWIN RS 2’s
flight is stable and level. The brake lines can be
used to adjust the speed according to the flight
situation, to ensure the optimum level of
performance and safety.
The best glide speed in calm air on the TWIN
RS 2 is achieved with the brakes fully open. In
calm conditions, the TWIN RS 2 reaches
minimum sink even when not braked. If the
brakes are pulled more, the sink does not
reduce any further, the control pressures
increase noticeably and the pilot reaches
minimum speed. If you fly with the brakes in the
half-wrap usual among pros, minimum speed is
reached just under the main carabiners.
Turns
With the TWIN RS 2, SWING has developed a
glider which reacts immediately to steering
input and is extremely responsive. The TWIN RS
2 performs best in turns when it is flown with
sufficient speed and weight-shifting. Too much
braking increases the sink rate.
The TWIN RS 2 has very low negative tendency,
so it can also be turned in a tight area by
carefully pulling the inside brake line.
If the brakes are applied more, the bank attitude
increases and the glider will fly a fast turn
increasing in steepness, which will eventually
become a spiral dive (further information on this
is in the section “Spiral Dive”).
Emergency steering
If for some reason the brake lines are not
working, e.g. if the knot on the brake handle has
come undone or a brake line is defective, the
TWIN RS 2 can also be steered and landed
using the back risers.
In this case, stall happens more quickly and the
pilot must compensate for the changed flight
behaviour by pulling carefully on the risers.
Rapid descent methods
WARNING
Any rapid descent methods other than those
described in this section have not been
tested by SWING.
SWING advises against using any rapid
descent
methods
other
than
those
described in this section. In an extreme
situation, they could result in uncontrollable
flight positions.
Many flying situations call for a very rapid
descent to avoid a dangerous situation, e.g. the
WARNING
Flying too slowly close to stall speed
increases the risk of an unintentional
asymmetric or full stall. This speed range
should therefore be avoided and used only
on landing.