Have Dental Floss, will Paraglide.

R10.2 Update

It appears to me that the risk / reward scenario which was so seriously skewed initially as I began the transition to the R10.2 has begun to return to an acceptable range. Hours on the training hill in Santa Barbara, a few hours of ridge soaring, and several thermal flights now in both light and moderate + conditions have shifted the comfort level quite a bit in my favor. It probably wasn't the best call to dive into a new harness as well but that is the path I took.

Some Observations:

At the training hill, one of the main objectives was to get a feel for the stall and spin authority of the R10.2. When the winds came up late in the afternoon, I was able to hover just off the ground on the edge of the hill with zero ground speed and only a foot or so to fall. I was fully expecting this glider to 'snap' when it stalled, and to do so within a reasonable range of brake travel. Chad standing next to me, and myself were very impressed with the internal loading of this glider as it took substantial, extremely deep into the brake travel to get the glider to let go, and it didn't snap at all.... just slowly horseshoed. This was NOT what we were expecting. Note: this maneuver was done at about 103kg on a 110-120 kg range.

As was expected, launching this glider in moderate wind or better is a handful. I've experimented with different techniques, but so far haven't come up with a better plan other than to launch the way I always launch and be prepared to sprint hard under the glider and turn and be flying all in one maneuver. Having no C riser removes the most common and effective method of managing the overshoot. Many of us launch the tandem with the As in one hand, and both brakes in the other, which gives us a nice opportunity to control the climb of the glider overhead. I've tried this technique several times and had some success . However, if there ever were a glider where you don't want to be switching brakes around to a different hand while launching, this is the glider. It's also difficult keeping the glider wings symmetrical without more direct input to the trailing edge.

There is another launching option with the R10.2 which is to use the B riser handles as you would the C risers on a 3 line glider. I've tried this also several times, but the glider just doesn't want to be managed that way and it hasn't worked for me. Seems that even the smallest asymmetric input to the B risers will cause the glider to come up all over the place, and when this glider pressurizes and loads in wind off to the side, be prepared to be flying off to the side.....

Bottom line for launching so far for me: extremely efficient airfoil which performs just as strongly on the ground when launching as it does on glide at cloud base....be prepared. With normal light to moderate winds, launching the R10.2 is predictable and easy. Because of a mostly frozen shoulder, I have yet to forward launch this glider.....

Another important consideration when launching the R10.2. This glider breaks easily when launching before it's loaded. If it's thermic, don't be surprised to have an entire wing asymmetric strongly if you are kiting or getting ready to run off the hill. I'm taking extra care when launching making sure the glider is loaded up well before I commit. This is especially critical if executing a running reverse in light winds.

My initial flights with the glider were on a Thin Red Line harness, and this was probably not the best call as it was next to impossible to get the glider to turn with no seat board. When I got going with the XR5 things obviously improved dramatically, but I still struggled to turn. I had a 3 and 1/2 hour flight a few days ago and I'm now getting the glider around, but still missing the easy turning of the Boomerang. A big part of this could be the change in harness from the Impress 2 to the XR5. I was kind of prepared for this and will just have to accept the differences. Ultimately I think this is good for me as it's forcing me to get my hips and entire body more involved with the turn so I'm hoping that eventually this will lead to more overall turning efficiency.

Probably the biggest hurdle to overcome transitioning to the R10.2 is learning to fly the glider accelerated through turbulence while holding the B riser handles with brake toggles unwrapped and held loosely. As with most comp gliders, input into the trailing edge while speeding in turbulence is poor technique and will very likely end up causing that nice high arc form to transition into some less desirable shape. For me, those handles are pretty far up there and I kind of get it after some practice but it's gonna take some time. I can see how it could become intuitive to give some backwards pressure on the B handles to help keep things pressurized, but the idea of using only the B riser handles to head off frontals and asymmetrics while strongly accelerated right up until the point where the glider actually lets go will take some work. I know this is the way the glider begs to be flown, and this is my goal.

I know there are many different techniques to feel the pressure of the glider and to try and sense when the leading edge is getting soft, etc... I've heard all kinds of ideas over the past several years on how to do this.... from spreading the fingers through the C and B lines, to holding various individual lines with a forefinger, etc... Now I have a B riser “handle” to hold onto while accelerated, and I'm to use this handle until It get's too rough and I can't keep it pressurized anymore with the B risers..... then, and only then do I resume control with the brakes.... They're recommending 25 hours on this glider before seriously competing with it.... I'm starting to understand why....

Overall impression of this glider? We'll obviously Ozone has been cranking them out just as fast as they possibly can. If you look at the Greece pwc roster, I haven't counted them up, but there are many R10.2 liners signed up. I expect the Europeans will see a third or better 2 line gliders between the Ozone and the Niviuk, and I believe the U5 as well. Results will be interesting to say the least.

This glider is WORK! When I first saw it I was reminded of when Mitch brought his red, white, and blue Airwave proto knife to Chelan some years back. I don't equate my R10 to that glider anymore and should be clear that this was only an initial impression. The glide and overall performance are very strong, but the calories burned during active conditions are definitely up a notch or two from what I'm used to. The tips behave amazingly well and I initially thought that there really wasn't much going on in terms of internal design and construction.....just the reduced line drag was the main factor. I must admit at this point, however, that there is clearly some exceptional design going on that has produced an amazingly stable and well pressurized glider. Sure, it dances around the sky overhead and wiggles and wags and gives you all kinds of feedback through your harness which you might not be used to.

I'm slowly getting used to the idea that I'm not really “giving up” anything more than just extra weight. I'm a spoiled rotten Boom pilot who has really enjoyed the rock solid feel and handling of the Boomerang series (5,6,7). When you rosette your glider and pick it up off the ground, and you feel like you're picking up a speed wing, it's hard not to second guess your decision making. It's coming to me slowly but surely....... but is a huge transition from what I'm used to..... I don't know how long this glider will last. There has been much discussion about the lower surface fabric and line thickness, etc... Those who know me know that I'm quick to upgrade so I can't really speak from experience on this front. I replaced the riser/lineset on the Boom 6 last fall after 130 hours and it was like being on a brand new glider. They say that the R10.2 when well cared for will last for 2-3 seasons.... If you fly one for 3 seasons please let me know how it goes.....

I'm 100% aware that the increased performance has not come without an equally increased demand of skill and energy. As with any glider performance upgrade, if you don't have plenty of mental and physical capacity growth room, please wait until you do.....

I feel that with the time I've already built on the glider that I'll be ready for Japan. Japan should be a good warmup for Greece along with some additional strong thermal flying at our home mountain site. Greece should prepare me well for Chelan... Sounds like a good plan anyway :> Until I really race and blow up on speed the jury is going to have to stay out I think. I've heard many reports now from friends who say the glider is totally predictable, and that the one reserve toss so far was due to pilot error..... from my own experience flying wih the R10s I would have to agree....

I'm trying to be careful with my overall expectations, and closely monitor all the factors of the equation.....

Want to have fun.....
Want to keep the risk/reward meter out of the yellow arc and in the green...
Want to be on even ground with my fellow pilots who are pushing hard and being really competitive....
Want to have a good shot at making the Nats team.

And most importantly, be able to enjoy this amazing thing that we get to do for years to come.....(albeit at a reduced pace!!

Pics from Santa Barbara shake down...

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Jack