Preface ...................................................................iii
Acknowledgments ..................................................v
Table of Contents .................................................vii
Chapter 1
Introduction To Weight-Shift Control ................1-1
Introduction ....................................................................1-1
History............................................................................1-2
Hang Glider ................................................................1-4
Motorized Hang Gliders .............................................1-4
New Challenges ..........................................................1-5
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) ............................................1-6
Weight-Shift Control Aircraft ....................................1-7
Weight-Shift Control LSA Requirements ..................1-8
Flight Operations and Pilot Certifi cates .........................1-8
Basic Pilot Eligibility .................................................1-9
Flight Safety Practices ...................................................1-9
Collision Avoidance ...................................................1-9
Runway Incursion Avoidance ..................................1-10
Positive Transfer of Controls ...................................1-10
Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) .......................1-10
Avoiding Pilot Errors ...............................................1-11
Scenario-Based Training ..........................................1-12
Resource Management .............................................1-12
Use of Checklists ......................................................1-12
Medical Factors ...........................................................1-13
Fatigue ......................................................................1-13
Hypothermia ............................................................1-13
Medical Summary ....................................................1-14
Chapter Summary ........................................................1-14
Chapter 2
Aerodynamics ......................................................2-1
Introduction ....................................................................2-1
Aerodynamic Terms ...................................................2-1
WSC Wing Flexibility ...................................................2-6
Forces in Flight ..............................................................2-7
Dynamic Pressure (q) .................................................2-7
Lift ..............................................................................2-7
Drag ............................................................................2-8
Thrust .......................................................................2-10
Ground Effect ...........................................................2-11
Center of Gravity (CG) ............................................2-11
Axes of Rotation ..........................................................2-12
Lateral Axis—Pitch ..................................................2-12
Longitudinal Axis—Roll ..........................................2-13
Vertical Axis—Yaw .................................................2-13
Stability and Moments ................................................2-13
WSC Unique Airfoil and Wing Design ....................2-13
Trim—Normal Stabilized Flight .............................2-13
High Angles of Attack ..............................................2-13
Low Angles of Attack ..............................................2-14
Pitch Pressures ..........................................................2-14
Roll Stability and Moments ......................................2-16
Yaw Stability and Moments .....................................2-17
Thrust Moments .......................................................2-18
Stalls: Exceeding the Critical AOA .............................2-18
Whip Stall–Tuck–Tumble ........................................2-19
Weight, Load, and Speed ............................................2-20
Basic Propeller Principles ............................................2-20
Chapter Summary ........................................................2-20
Chapter 3
Components and Systems .................................3-1
Introduction ....................................................................3-1
Wing ..............................................................................3-2
Wing Frame Components ..........................................3-2
Keel ........................................................................3-3
Crossbar .................................................................3-4
Control Frame .........................................................3-4
King Post With Wires-on-Top Wing Design ..........3-5
Topless Wings With Struts ....................................3-5
Battens and Leading Edge Stiffener ......................3-7
Sail Material and Panels ........................................3-7
Pockets and Hardware ...........................................3-7
Sail Attachment to Wing Frame ............................3-7
Cables and Hardware ....................................................3-7
Wing Systems .............................................................3-8
Refl ex Systems .......................................................3-8
Table of Contents
Roll Control System ..............................................3-9
Trim Systems ..............................................................3-9
Ground Adjustable Trim Systems .........................3-9
Infl ight Adjustable Trim Systems ........................3-10
Structure ...................................................................3-11
Landing Gear ...........................................................3-11
Landing Gear for Water and Snow .......................3-14
Electrical Systems ....................................................3-15
Ballistic Parachute ...................................................3-15
Flight Deck ...................................................................3-16
Dashboards and Instrument Panels .........................3-16
Flight Instruments ................................................3-17
Navigation Instruments ........................................3-17
Engine Instruments ..............................................3-17
Instrument Panel Arrangements ...............................3-17
Communications ..................................................3-19
Powerplant System ..................................................3-19
Fuel System Components .....................................3-20
Engine and Gearbox .............................................3-20
The Propeller ........................................................3-20
Chapter Summary ........................................................3-22
Chapter 4
Powerplants .........................................................4-1
Introduction ....................................................................4-1
Reciprocating Engines ...................................................4-2
Two-Stroke Engines ...................................................4-2
Two-Stroke Process ....................................................4-4
Four-Stroke Engines ...................................................4-6
Exhaust Systems ............................................................4-6
Two-Stroke Tuned Exhaust Systems .........................4-6
Four-Stroke Engine Exhaust Systems ........................4-7
Engine Warming ............................................................4-7
Two-Stroke Engine Warming ....................................4-7
Four-Stroke Engine Warming ....................................4-8
Gearboxes ......................................................................4-8
Propeller .........................................................................4-8
Fixed-Pitch Propeller ..................................................4-8
Ground Adjustable-Pitch Propeller ............................4-9
Induction Systems ..........................................................4-9
Carburetor Systems ........................................................4-9
Two-Stroke Carburetor Jetting for Proper Mixture ..4-10
Four-Stroke Mixture Settings ...................................4-10
Carburetor Icing .......................................................4-10
Fuel Injection Induction Systems .................................4-11
Ignition System ............................................................4-12
Combustion ..................................................................4-12
Fuel Systems ................................................................4-13
Fuel Pumps ...............................................................4-13
Fuel Plunger Primer .................................................4-14
Choke .......................................................................4-14
Fuel Bulb Primer ......................................................4-14
Fuel Gauges ..............................................................4-14
Fuel Filter .................................................................4-14
Fuel ...........................................................................4-14
Fuel Contamination ..................................................4-15
Refueling Procedures ...............................................4-15
Mixing Two-Stroke Oil and Fuel .............................4-16
Starting System ............................................................4-16
Oil Systems ..................................................................4-17
Engine Cooling Systems ..............................................4-17
Chapter Summary ........................................................4-18
Chapter 5
Prefl ight and Ground Operations .......................5-1
Introduction ....................................................................5-1
Where To Fly .................................................................5-2
Prefl ight Actions ............................................................5-3
Weather ..........................................................................5-3
Regional Weather .......................................................5-3
Local Conditions ........................................................5-4
Weight and Loading .......................................................5-7
Transporting ...................................................................5-7
Setting Up the WSC Aircraft ....................................5-8
Taking Down the WSC Aircraft ..............................5-12
Wing Tuning ................................................................5-14
Tuning the Wing To Fly Straight ............................5-14
Prefl ight Inspection ......................................................5-15
Certifi cates and Documents ......................................5-15
Routine Prefl ight Inspection .....................................5-16
Wing Inspection ....................................................5-17
Carriage Inspection ...............................................5-18
Powerplant Inspection ..........................................5-19
Cooling Systems ..................................................5-20
Exhaust Systems ...................................................5-20
Propeller Gearbox .................................................5-20
Throttle System .....................................................5-20
Flight Deck Inspection .............................................5-20
Fuel ...........................................................................5-20
Oil .............................................................................5-21
Ready Aircraft To Enter Flight Deck .......................5-22
Occupant Prefl ight Brief ...........................................5-22
Flight Deck Management .........................................5-23
Checklist After Entering Flight Deck ...................5-23
Engine Start ..............................................................5-23
Taxiing .........................................................................5-24
Checklist for Taxi .................................................5-25