FAQ

Gliders

Rise vs Soar: what would be the differences in flight?
Thanks to a lighter canopy weight, the Soar will provide a finer airmass feel, and thanks to even less inertia in the turn, a faster turn reactivity and a better agility. It’s all yours to convert this into even better thermal efficiency!
Is the Volt a Superlight glider?

Volt 2 was in Duralast and Superlight versions. Volt 3 is Duralight. That’s a new construction including a mix of materials allowing a very robust glider to weigh less than its Superlight predecessor! Volt 4 is Superlight.

How should I use the B/C system and why?

The risers include an intuitive B/C control in a clean and simple construction. Just hold the risers on the green handle, pull down both C and Bs together for an efficient action on the trim, not deforming the airfoil. Smoothly improves your glide (read manual for details, short video to show).

How to do stable big ears with my SuSi, Volt, Hero?...
Thse gliders only have 2 low A lines on each side. If you grab high, pull hard, a real big ear will come and bounce onto the lower surface. Not stable. Instead, grab the exterior line just above the maillon, thumb down (palm facing outside). Slowly twist your wrist around the maillon. This generates small stable ears. Now that they are in place, pull down to make them bigger.

Another option for Volt, Hero, is pulling down outer A and main-stabilo line at same time. It also helps for ear stability.

Why does my Rise seem so easy on SIV maneuvers despite its Aspect Ratio?
Aspect ratio is nor the only, neither the main parameter for defining the accessibility or the tolerance of a glider. Among others, pitch dampening, brake travel, roll stability on collapses, leading edge (and/or top surface) rod and lineset construction are also key parameters. At AD, we produce comfortable and fun to fly gliders before anything else. And aspect ratio does not stop us from keeping our gliders super safe in their categories. No compromise on safety, and pleasure in flight!

Note: winglets at wingtips impact the AR and reduces the possibilities of comparison with gliders not having any.

Are the XXS sizes more dangerous to fly? Are they less performing?
It is difficult to maintain the safety levels of smaller gliders with higher loadings. At AD, we have years of experience of working on small sizes. We love that light pilots can fly real gliders (and not hot air balloons). As we develop the gliders Scale 1 in relatively small sizes, and thanks to our long experience and airfoil knowledge, we manage to do small and safe gliders. We love light pilots to fly safe gliders too, as much as others.

About performance, sure, the XXS will perform a bit less than the L size in glide and speed – at same time smaller sizes are showing better climbing. We know how to limit the gap, and light pilots always come back to us with fun and pleasure in mind, as well as being able to follow their heavier friends. At these levels of performance difference, the pilot himself will make a lot of the difference!

How small can I pack SuSi?

Here are a few examples. Our advice: roll it up!

After having created a nice narrow strip, roll it from trailing edge up to leading edge, pushing all the air out. It’s a good way for a small volume pack, but don’t store it this way.

SuSi

Harnesses

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How do I inflate the protector of The Sock and The Sock SL harnesses?
Your harness packing bag is also used to inflate the protector. You can inflate the protector by mouth too. So, the bag or your lungs? One of the two involves more bacteria but the choice is yours! In any case, these are the two methods we recommend for inflating the inflatable AirPillow protector.
How much do I have to inflate the protector of The Sock and The Sock SL harnesses?
The AirPillow is a protector that inflates by mouth or, better still, using the packing bag created for this purpose. The necessary air pressure is easily measured thanks to the resistance experienced when supplying air with the inflation bag or thanks to your lungs. Like any inflated volume, the AirPillow will increase in pressure with altitude. The length of the hose has been designed to allow the pressure to be readjusted in flight with the clamp in order not to risk rupture by overpressure. As a reminder: PV = nRT, it looks classy in society!

Construction

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Superlight: what’s the durability compared to Duralight?
No compromise. AirDesign only uses the very best superlight materials. And every part is built and dimensioned to last as long as the Duralight versions. For instance, we only use the double coated Skytex 27 Classic II fabric, lasting as long or even longer than many heavier fabrics in terms of porosity. Lines can be unsheathed but diameters are always calculated so the lines last the whole life of the glider.

Just be a bit more careful on the ground, as tear and abrasion resistances are lower.

Over the years, we’ve inspected many of our Superlight gliders passing 1000 hours flight, original lineset, porosity OK, good to go!

Accessories

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Can I use a smaller Airpack 50/50 than the one delivered with my glider?
Sure you can. The one delivered with your glider is the one representing the best compromise between compacity and easiness for folding. Examples: your SuSi 21 is delivered in an S size. You want to pack smaller to fit your 25L rucksack? Fold clean, and use the XS size! You’re raveling with your Volt SM delivered in the M size; a little bit more attention, use the S size, and you’ll save a lot of room for your travel gear.
How does the “SuSi trimmers” work?
These trimmers are connected instead of, or in addition to your speed bar. They allow you to lock up an accelerated position, up to 30 to 50% of full accelerator range.

Note that locking the trimmers in accelerated position takes the glider out of the certification. Be aware that your glider’s incidence is making it more sensitive to collapses.

How to connect your airbag to your Le Slip?

Airbag

How to check and install the soft-links?
Download Manual (PDF)
Connecting your Superlight kit

This document shows the recommended, the acceptable and the scary (prohibited)
Way to connect your Superlight kit, for instance Le Slip and your rescue container with the Ease carabiner.

Download (PDF)

Reserves

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Is the Donut 90SL tested after water landings?
Yes, like all our reserves, we’ve verified that their opening speed, their sink rate, stability and overall performance remains after several (clear) water landings. This is achieved by carefully selecting the materials we use and properly dimensioning all components (fabrics, lines and their diameters…).

Maintenance

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How often should I control my glider?
From your glider manual, you’ll see that we recommend a trim check after 30 to 50 hours, then every 150 hours or 2 years in normal use, whichever comes first. But of course, anytime you’ve had an incident that has put extra stength on your glider (tree or water landing…). Check your manual for details.
After how many flight hours should I change my glider’s lineset?
AirDesign glider linesets are dimensioned to last the whole life of your glider, in normal use (no acro, tree or water landing…). We’ve never had to change a glider’s lineset after hundreds of hours of normal use. This doesn’t prevent from being cautious with it, and have it regularly checked according to manual recommendations.
What should I take care of when folding my glider?
The biggest enemies of the glider are humidity and heat. Never store a humid glider, and especially not if stored in a hermetic pack and in heat (trunk of a car in the sun). Nothing will damage it more. Besides this, just try to pay attention to the nylon rods: very short folding radius with high pressure on might distort them.

It’s another advantage by packing in concertina-style; the glider is sorted at launch much faster compared to other-style packing.

What should I take care of before storing my glider off-season?
Make absolutely sure it is completely dry. This is a must if you want your glider to last. Then avoid to keep it too compact. If you’re using an airpack 50/50 for instance, just unfold it, open the zipper, and let it lay down flat.
How to remove sand, dust and other particles out of my glider?
The Vortex Holes on every AD glider will help getting rid of most dust and particles trapped inside the glider, during the flight. However, sand for instance, can remain “stuck” to the fabric due to static electricity.

To get rid of the last particles, for instance, suspend your glider from the trailing edge, and discharge the static electricity from the glider with a metallic bar connected to the ground (no sharp edges of course!).