Aquilla II Hangpoint

[Cloud Warrior]

What is the standard hang point position for an Aquilla II wing? Our airfields CFI took up my trike the other day and declared it very "pitch sensitive". He normally flies an Airborne trike. This was his first time on an Aquilla. I just thought that was the way my wing flew not having any time on other trikes. I have now had a few hours on an Airborne XT 912 Outback fitted with a Cruze wing and I have to say I find the handling much more "solid" - it does exactly what I want it to do - when I fly my Aquilla I constantly have to "fiddle" with the bar - I always seem to have to pull in on the bar to maintain air speed. There is another Aquilla II with a 503 engine at the airfield where I fly and his hangpoint is one hole further back i.e. the second hole from the rear. The owner of that aerie does not experience what I do. Any advice please? I have a 582 and a GRS fitted below the engine which I think might have something to do with it.

[Wargames]

The further back you set your hangpoint, the slower you will fly.

Just remember, the hangpoint has got nothing to do with you wing characteristics, other than the hands off speed.

My opinion, is that you must first check that your batten profiles is correctly set. Then play around with the stiffness of the wing.

It might be the problems is with your battens. If they have a flat profile, a small change in attitude normally brings a lot of change in airflow, and that might bring the problem to life that you are experiencing.

[Tracer]

I fly mine with the hangblock in the middle. No problems. I once set the hangblock all the way forward. That flight lasted about half an hour before I moved it back a slot.

With the hangblock all the way forward, I experienced in-stability in the pitch as well as roll. It was no fun flying like that. "In the center Mister Venter" works best, in my opinion.

[Africa]

Cloud warrior,

The hang point DOES have an affect on the wigs stability. I worked in the factory building this wing and test flying them for a very long time. A pitch sensitive wing sounds like the hang point could be too far forward. First let me ask you some questions? where is the bar position when flying hands off with 2 medium people on board? If the bar is close to you 2 up then the HP is too far forward, if the bar is far away from you (highly unlikly) if its pitch sensitive the the HP is too far back. Ok what i would do is, loosen the tention of the spreader bar cable to the loosest position. Try that. If that does not work, then take alittle camber OUT of the last 3 curved battens on each side so that will be the 3 shortest curved (not the styraight)on each side. Basically what you will be doing is taking alittle weight off the trailing edge giving you alittle more stability.

Remember flying solo always make it alittle more pitch sensitive anyway thats why i recomend you try this 2 up. Another thing you can do before "flattening" the last 3 batten on each side is you can twist the leading edge tips to loosen the under surface doing the same thing it would do by "straightening the last 3 battens. So if you are looking at the left side of the trike you will twist the tips clock wise and on the right you will twist anti clock wise. All we are trying to get to is a slightly looser under surface that will give you alot more stability and better handling. i can go on all day so try this and get back to me if that does not work, you can email me at matjam@covenanttransport.com and i will give you all the help you need

Jamie mathewson

[Big-D]

Cloud Warrior

I am probabaly one of very few people that have owned both AIrborne and Aquilla II - I had an Airborne Edge X with Streak 2 wing untill I recently bought a Aquilla 2.

I have my Aquilla hangpoint position in the middle, bungees not tentioned much, hands off about 56mph, climb 1000fpm at 3700ft AGL. I don't need to fiddle with wing at all in flight to maintain straight and level as you mention, on a windlass morning I can fly hands off for ages - If I compare handling on the Aquilla to the Airborne with Streak II wing I honestly prefer the feel of the Aquilla, not to mention the difference in lift which is substantial. In very bouncy conditions the Airborne handled easier though, less muscle needed to control the airy.

Just something on Ballistic parachutes - I had a GRS fitted to my Airborne, I hated the lift, could not get near the max speed the manufacturer claims and was generally unhappy. I took the ballistic off and it felt like a different plane!! Don't ask me why but there was a massive difference in lift and handling felt different too - I had it mounted right above where passenger sits. I am not a technical guy but can tell you the GRS definately affected performance for me.

Just my 2c

Some good advice given to you by Jamie, play around with the wing - I am sure you will get it right

D

[Cloud Warrior]

Thanks for the input guys - much appreciated!