Gin FALCON - Speed System; Adjusting the Speed System and Trimmers

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Speed System
The speed system increases the maximum speed by lowering the angle of attack with a pulley-
guided, foot-operated system. It is important to have your accelerator system correctly routed
through your harness and attached to the risers with the supplied Brummel hooks. The length of
the speed bar should be initially adjusted while on the ground, sitting in the harness so that the
legs are fully extended at the point of full accelerator travel. It is helpful to have an assistant
hold the risers taut while making this adjustment.
After the speed bar has been adjusted according to the length of the pilot’s legs or the
harness, then the two-stage speed system is adjusted. This system has two ball-bearing pulleys
which reduce the acceleration pressure, thereby allowing comfortable acceleration even when the
pilot’s legs are bent. A stop ball then blocks the lower pulley, reducing the acceleration distance,
and effectively converting every centimetre into speed.
The two-stage speed system can be adjusted using a stop ball, which is attached to the speed
system cord by a simple knot. The speed bar distance is increased if the stop ball is pushed
upwards. If it is pushed down, then the lower pulley is locked earlier, which reduces the speed bar
distance and increases the pressure. This allows pilots to alter the speed bar according to their
own preferences, and to adjust the speed bar extension range and pressure ergonomically
according to leglength, the harness and the speed bar used.
Before launch, fasten the speed bar to the harness to avoid tripping over it when preparing to
launch or when taking off.
Adjusting the speed system and trimmers
Use of a reflex profile means that the Falcon has special features that must be taken into
consideration when using the speed system and the trimmers. The Falcon has a high basic trim
speed even with neutral trimmer position, and this can be increased considerably by using the
additional speed system and the trimmers. This gives the pilot a wide speed range, with which to
make the ideal adjustment to cruise speed.
Fig. 12: Stop ball at Falcon riser
WARNING
Do not make the speed system too short. The
glider must under no circumstances be pre-
accelerated as a result of the adjustment
being too short.
Problems (such as collapses or tucks) have a
more drastic effect with increased speed than
in unaccelerated flight. It is strongly
recommended that you do not use the speed
system in turbulent areas and when flying
close to the ground, due to the increased risk
of collapse.