PPG reflex gliders - My philosophy (Updated 2016)

The Paramania Fusion 23 - Full reflex

This article has been updated in 2016 after a few years of flying the Ozone Speedster
Before I get into the bits and pieces, I must say that during this time and roughly 4000 km of XC in my quite demanding "aerial playground", there hasn`t been a single really scary moment.
(I have flown so many new gliders, never a problem) - This time, I was wrong....
After so many hours in conventional high perfermance gliders, this was a very hard ting to do.
It took a full season or so before I gained enough confidence to let the glider fly on it`s own when reflexed, after that I could do it, but I never really releax if the conditions are rough.

My experience with various PPG Reflex gliders now goes back to 2008 with quite a few hours and kilometers, and most importantly; some amazingly beautiful flights during that time.
With this, I will try to summarize my experiences with these gliders and how I deal with them.

OK, that`s a good start :-)

Getting used to the reflex gliders.

I got my first glider, the Fusion 23, and I thought it should be an easy transition
When flown in the slow trim settings, things were quite usual, the issued ocurred when I got into reflex mode.
I knew that I should thrust the glider and NOT touch the brakes even in turbulence....

For PPG, the reflex technology is superior, but be aware....
I am totally convinced that a reflex glider is a much better option for ppg than using a conventional glider.

• The reflex will fly much faster
• The reflex will penetrate headwind and turbulence much better (less pitching)
• The reflex is more calm and stable in normal conditions
• The reflex is very stable and collapse resistant and can deal moderate turbulence with no problem.
• The reflex will use a bit more fuel, but the latest generation has been much better at this.

The Paramania Fusion 29
(The 23 is similar, but is much lighter and MORE responsive on the steering)

First of all; a warning about using normal brakes in full reflex mode :

The brakes will work in the opposite direction - left brake will produce a right turn !
DO NOT USE NORMAL BRAKES WHEN IN MORE THAN 50% REFLEX

• Super build quality, very solid and heavy
• Launches nicely even in 0 wind
• Special tecnique required, it must be actively "pulled up" to lift off.
• Good cruising speed, 45 kmh in neutral, 48 in full reflex
• Canopy feels very solid in flight, especially in relex mode
•  
• Is power hungry
• Moderate climb rate, too pitch stable for steep climb
• Heavy on the controls
• Tip steering sluggish
• Poor feedback in thermals

Trim settings for different flight modes

• "Fun flying" - Takeoff trim
• Start/ landing - Takeoff trim
• Climb - Slow trim + 3 cm
• 0 wind cruise - 25% reflex (max efficiency)
• Headwind - 25% reflex + 25% speed (max efficiency)

Note that I very rarely go to "full reflex" mode on the 2 paramania wings.
After about 50% reflex there is no real speed increase, only more stability and reliance on
tip toggles, also more drag - more power needed.
One can say that I limit the trim setting on these wings to a semi reflex state.
Even at 50% reflex, the stability is nearly as high as in full reflex,
but with almost the same speed, and less need for power.
At 50% reflex or slower, the normal brakes will work the right way.

  




















My new Ozone Speedster
"Semi full reflex"

Dealing with reflex gliders.

When dealing with a glider like this you can do 2 things...
(when bad turbulence is encountered)

• Simply thrust the glider and let go off the controls in turbulence.
• When in full reflex mode - you actually make things worse if you try to control with normal brakes
• Even if you can control the rolling motion with the tip toggles, you have no control over pitch and will not have any control over an eventual deflation.
• The tip toggles are useless for landing.
•  Set the glider in slow mode  and fly actively trough the turbulence

 I know that there are many strong opinions on this matter, even the manufactureres dispute this and there are a few parties with different opinions...
Paramania and Dudek that totally rely on the "full reflex" glider
Ozone that recognize the benefits of the reflex glider, but reccomends active flying in turbulence.

So it eventualy became clear to me that I had to make a few "rules" for myself, a kind of hard ruling never to be deviated from....
(I strongly think that everybody should always make up their own mind, and not simply accept what the "authorities" says)
I also strongly resist the almost religious faith in these gliders by some pilots.
Bear in mind that there are conditions out there that will fold even metal wings.
There is one condition that I fear, and that will also compromise the very high collapse resistance of a reflexed glider - the occasion where you get a total unloading of the lines...
I have seen it happen partialy, and yes it takes a tremendous beating for that to happen,
but it is for sure possible....

My rules when flying reflex gliders

• Never fly in reflex mode below 100 meter agl.
• It takes some time to set the trims, and a relexed landing will not be a good one....
• Never rely on the tip toggles for critical manouvers, such as a landing
• Use tip toggles ony for maouvering at a safe altitude.
• Always use a checklist before takeoff and landing.
• Launching or landing with faulty or assymetric trims will surely be a bad thing...
• In turbulence or when turbulence is expected I go for active piloting -
  not rely on reflex. (I mean rough turbulence, not the moderate chop)
• I feel it is simply poor airmanship to release the controls in turbulence.
  Also, say if in relex mode turbulence hits, it takes some effort and time to get the trims in and be ready to pilot actively - if you do it before it hits, you are ready!
• Even if you have some control with the tip toggles, they are useless for recovering a deflation.
• One of the cardinal rules of flying is to always fly the aircraft - and in that light I have made my decision to fly the glider through rough stuff, not let the aerodynamic stability alone rule.
• I doubt the "full reflex" theory - in my mind, a glider with slightly less reliance on reflex is more efficient 

Rule #1 : maintain airspeed and FLY the aircraft ...