Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook
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Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook 2008 U.S. Department of Transportation FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Flight Standards Service Preface The Weight-Shift Control (WSC) Aircraft Flying Handbook introduces the basic pilot knowledge and skills that are essential for piloting WSC aircraft. It introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that is needed as they progress in their pilot training. This handbook is for student pilots, as well as those pursuing more advanced pilot certifi cates. Student pilots learning to fl y WSC aircraft, certifi cated pilots preparing for additional WSC ratings or who desire to improve their fl ying profi ciency and aeronautical knowledge, and commercial WSC pilots teaching WSC students how to fl y should fi nd this handbook helpful. This book introduces the prospective pilot to the realm of WSC fl ight and provides information and guidance to all WSC pilots in the performance of various maneuvers and procedures. This handbook conforms to pilot training and certifi cation concepts established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing fl ight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to fl ying WSC aircraft. The discussions and explanations refl ect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally, the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). It is essential for persons using this handbook also to become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Performance standards for demonstrating competence required for pilot certifi cation are prescribed in the appropriate WSC practical test standard. This handbook is available for download, in PDF format, from the FAA website, www.faa.gov. This handbook is published by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in email form, to the following address: [email protected] iii Table of Contents Preface ...................................................................iii Drag ............................................................................2-8 Thrust .......................................................................2-10 Acknowledgments ..................................................v Ground Effect ...........................................................2-11 Center of Gravity (CG) ............................................2-11 Table of Contents .................................................vii Axes of Rotation ..........................................................2-12 Lateral Axis—Pitch ..................................................2-12 Chapter 1 Longitudinal Axis—Roll ..........................................2-13 Introduction To Weight-Shift Control ................1-1 Vertical Axis—Yaw .................................................2-13 Introduction ....................................................................1-1 Stability and Moments ................................................2-13 History............................................................................1-2 WSC Unique Airfoil and Wing Design ....................2-13 Hang Glider ................................................................1-4 Trim—Normal Stabilized Flight .............................2-13 Motorized Hang Gliders .............................................1-4 High Angles of Attack ..............................................2-13 New Challenges ..........................................................1-5 Low Angles of Attack ..............................................2-14 Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) ............................................1-6 Pitch Pressures ..........................................................2-14 Weight-Shift Control Aircraft ....................................1-7 Roll Stability and Moments ......................................2-16 Weight-Shift Control LSA Requirements ..................1-8 Yaw Stability and Moments .....................................2-17 Flight Operations and Pilot Certifi cates .........................1-8 Thrust Moments .......................................................2-18 Basic Pilot Eligibility .................................................1-9 Stalls: Exceeding the Critical AOA .............................2-18 Flight Safety Practices ...................................................1-9 Whip Stall–Tuck–Tumble ........................................2-19 Collision Avoidance ...................................................1-9 Weight, Load, and Speed ............................................2-20 Runway Incursion Avoidance ..................................1-10 Basic Propeller Principles ............................................2-20 Positive Transfer of Controls ...................................1-10 Chapter Summary ........................................................2-20 Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) .......................1-10 Avoiding Pilot Errors ...............................................1-11 Chapter 3 Scenario-Based Training ..........................................1-12 Components and Systems .................................3-1 Resource Management .............................................1-12 Introduction ....................................................................3-1 Use of Checklists ......................................................1-12 Wing ..............................................................................3-2 Medical Factors ...........................................................1-13 Wing Frame Components ..........................................3-2 Fatigue ......................................................................1-13 Keel ........................................................................3-3 Hypothermia ............................................................1-13 Crossbar .................................................................3-4 Medical Summary ....................................................1-14 Control Frame .........................................................3-4 Chapter Summary ........................................................1-14 King Post With Wires-on-Top Wing Design ..........3-5 Topless Wings With Struts ....................................3-5 Chapter 2 Battens and Leading Edge Stiffener ......................3-7 Aerodynamics ......................................................2-1 Sail Material and Panels ........................................3-7 Introduction ....................................................................2-1 Aerodynamic Terms ...................................................2-1 Pockets and Hardware ...........................................3-7 WSC Wing Flexibility ...................................................2-6 Sail Attachment to Wing Frame ............................3-7 Forces in Flight ..............................................................2-7 Cables and Hardware ....................................................3-7 Dynamic Pressure (q) .................................................2-7 Wing Systems .............................................................3-8 Lift ..............................................................................2-7 Refl ex Systems .......................................................3-8 vii Roll Control System ..............................................3-9 Choke .......................................................................4-14 Trim Systems ..............................................................3-9 Fuel Bulb Primer ......................................................4-14 Ground Adjustable Trim Systems .........................3-9 Fuel Gauges ..............................................................4-14 Infl ight Adjustable Trim Systems ........................3-10 Fuel Filter .................................................................4-14 Structure ...................................................................3-11 Fuel ...........................................................................4-14 Landing Gear ...........................................................3-11 Fuel Contamination ..................................................4-15 Landing Gear for Water and Snow .......................3-14 Refueling Procedures ...............................................4-15 Electrical Systems ....................................................3-15 Mixing Two-Stroke Oil and Fuel .............................4-16 Ballistic Parachute ...................................................3-15 Starting System ............................................................4-16 Flight Deck ...................................................................3-16 Oil Systems ..................................................................4-17 Dashboards and Instrument Panels .........................3-16 Engine Cooling Systems ..............................................4-17 Flight Instruments ................................................3-17 Chapter Summary ........................................................4-18