Specifications

SONIC OWNERS MANUAL
18 Version 1.01
this tends to be a rather mellow reaction, and as the Sonic is highly spin resistant,
control should be easily regained within 180 degrees of rotation.
Pulling the bar in from trim position and increasing air speed requires very little effort and
as is normal with most aircraft, with the increased air speed we get a faster lateral
response of roll rate. It is here that the erratic/tense flier will discover control problems.
Any bump or pilot input that is not required and is subsequently harshly corrected for, will
possibly result in an over response requiring yet further correction. From this a “Dutch
roll” or high speed yawing behaviour may develop. To correct for this, immediately
return to trim and stabilise your body. Try to restrict your inputs to slow, precise
movements and the glider will respond in an equally smooth and precise fashion.
Turns
When cruising in ridge lift and smooth air the most efficient speed to fly will be
somewhere around minimum sink. To initiate a turn, no extra airspeed will be required.
Simply move your body into the direction of the required turn and as the glider responds
and approaches the desired bank, relax any pitch pressures and allow yourself to
smoothly return to the centre of the control bar. Always enter your turns steadily to avoid
overbanking and the resultant needs to then high-side the bar to correct will be reduced.
As the glider approaches the desired new heading, begin to level out the wings so that a
smooth precise return to level flight can be achieved. During this phase of the turn,
check your airspeed so that maximum efficiency is achieved.
To coordinate tighter turns and turns in thermal lift, the entry speed should be increased
to just above trim or near to best L/D speed. Initiate the bank, and then relax on the
pitch allowing the bar to return to trim as the glider moves into the turn. This should arc
the glider around, coordinating the turn without side slip whilst still maintaining some
spare air speed for continuing to 360 in a thermal or for reversal of bank if needed.
Adjustment of bank angle can be made as required as sufficient airspeed is present to
re-coordinate and to adequately handle any turbulence.
It is important that any weight shift be efficient, with no tendency to twist the body or
allow the legs to lag behind the shoulders, as this action will delay response usually
resulting in the pilot making excessive input and thus over controlling the glider.
When thermalling the Sonic, fly at a moderate speed between lift, concentrating on
smoothness of control. Once centred in a thermal, the glider will respond to a
reasonable amount of “pushing out” by increasing its climb rate. This is especially the
case in flat 360’s but always be conscious of your proximity to stall speed and its
associated loss of performance and roll rate.
Landing the Sonic
The success of any landing is invariably linked to the accuracy and planning of its
approach. Always leave yourself ample time to plan and set up a safe landing approach
with options for variable conditions or misjudgement.