Dudek Nucleon WRC cabrio User Manual
user manual
NOTE!
Please read this manual carefully before your first flight
Very important!
Before use it is vital to check in which configuration the steering lines and pulleys
are currently set (lower or upper hangpoints) and adjust them to your preferences if
necessary.
The risers have two points to fix the pulleys on – lower and upper one (see risers
on page 34). On each main steering line there are three points marked, to fix the
steering handle according to position of the pulley.
Steering lines must not not push down the trailing edge when not operated – this
must be observed in all possible configurations of trimmers and speed-system.
Steering lines must have a couple of centimeters play before they engage affect
the canopy (see section 3.1 on the proper adjustment). For sake of safety it is
always recommended to set the brakes rather too loose than too tight. Make sure
they are set symmetrically, too.
Ill-adjusted steering lines may cause you to misinterpret the canopy’s
behaviour in flight, and in case of encountering turbulence in accelerated
flight dangerous collapses may occur.
When flying at full speed (trimmers opened / trimmers opened and speedbar
pushed), especially in uneasy air, it is highly recommended to steer the paraglider
using alternative steering methods like TEA or ALC+ (TST) only.
With increasing speed an effect of „inverting” the profile when trailing edge is being
pulled down emerges (pulling the brakes, see page 20). That effect can cause
dynamic collapses, especially at full speed.
The safest way to change your course at high speeds is to use (in the order of
safety) the TEA lines, or TST handles connected to the ALC+ lines. Any steering
inputs should be smooth and easy, without sharp and/or deep movements. Such
actions can dynamically change pressure distribution over the airfoil, leading to
collapses.
These warnings affect every paraglider and Nucleon WRC CABRIO is no
exception!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction......................................................................................3
2. The wing..............................................................................................4
2.1 Design
2.2 Construction
3. Flight operation............................................................................9
3.1 Steering lines and launch assist adjustment
3.2 Free flying
3.2.1 Take-offt
3.2.2 Flight
3.2.3 Landing
3.2.4 Winching
3.3 Powered flight
3.3.1 Take-off
3.3.2 Level flight
3.3.3 Landing
3.3.4 Golden rules
3.4 Quick descent methods
3.4.1 Big ears
3.4.2 Spiral dive
3.4.3 B-stall
3.5 Acro Flying
3.5.1 Wing over
3.6 Extreme manoeuvrese
3.6.1 One sided collapse
3.6.2 Frontal collapse
3.6.3 Parachutal stall
3.6.4 Line over and cravatte
3.6.5 Emergency steering
4. Canopy care........................................................................................26
Page
4.1 Folding and Storage
4.2 Cleaning
4.3 Repair
4.4 Deterioration - a few tips
5. Technical data.................................................................................28
6. Warranty, AeroCasco..............................................................29
7. What have you bought......................................................................31
8. Rigging tables.....................................................................32
9. Risers........................................................................................34
USER MANUAL
1. INTRODUCTION
CONGRATULATIONS!
We are pleased to welcome you among the growing number of Dudek Paragliders
pilots. You’ve become a proud owner of state-of-the-art Nucleon WRC Cabrio
Paraglider, yet another trend-setter in powered paragliding world.
Extensive development, application of the most modern methods and thorough
testing make the Nucleon WRC Cabrio a user-friendly paraglider, offering the pilot
a lot of fun combined with great performance.
We wish you many enjoyable and safe flying hours.
DISCLAIMER
Please read this Manual carefully and note following details:
$ The purpose of this Manual is to offer guidelines to the pilot using the
Dudek Nucleon WRC Cabrio wing and it is by no means intended to be
used as a training manual for this or any other paraglider.
$ You may only fly a paraglider when qualified to do so or when
undergoing training at an accredited School under instructor’s
supervision.
$ Pilots are personally responsible for their own safety and their
paraglider's airworthiness.
$ The use of this paraglider is solely at the user's own risk! The
manufacturer and distributor do not accept any liability connected with
this activity.
$ This paraglider on delivery meets all the requirements of the EN 926-1
and 926-2 regulations. Any alterations to the paraglider will render its
certification invalid.
Notice
Dudek Paragliders warns that due to the constant process of development
the actual paraglider may differ slightly from the one described in the
manual.
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2. THE WING
Who should fly Nucleon WRC Cabrio?
Nucleon WRC Cabrio is a top drawer, modern PPGG canopy. It is very easy to
launch, fast to fly, effective to steer and has wide speed range on trimmers. It will
satisfy both pleasure pilots, seeking safe and comfortable sightseeing, and
ambitious competitors or record hunters.
Nucleon WRC Cabrio is designed for both trike and tandem flying, albeit with
different weight ranges:
$ trikes can be flown in entire weight range,
$ tandem flying (foot launch) should be done in lower half of the weight
range only.
Such limitation is caused by relatively high take-off speed under heavy load,
making launch in no wind a hard task. A trike will take-off all right at max load, yet
two heavy persons will probably fail. Of course there should be no problem with
foot launch when some wind is blowing.
2.1 DESIGN
Slight changes in design as compared to traditional, non-stiffened Cabrio
brought to the paralider increased agility. Smart connections between mylar
reinforcements and synthetic rods (like in e.g. Hadron) result in easy inflation
and stiffer leading edge.
The paraglider launches easily and smoothly rises over your head. With
good trimmers configuration and sufficient engine power lifting the A risers
may be not necessary (canopy rises by itself) - a very important feature for
trike pilots.
Speed ranges of the trimmers have been slightly widened. It is of special
importance for tandem and trike pilots, as they have no way to employ
standard speed system. In fact, everybody should be delighted with
maximum speed, offering joy when overtaking others and broadening your
operational envelope.
Another news is the ALC+ (improved ALC steering system) - it is more
effective and balanced, so that steering appears to be smoother. Steering
elements are TST handles - well known from our previous paragliders.
Incorporation of our own Dudek Reflex Airfoil and corresponding rigging
result in comfortable flight even in rough conditions, due to great margin of
passive safety.
We are positively sure that the Nucleon Cabrio is the best paraglider
available in its class.
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USER MANUAL
The fundamental feature a good PPG and PPGG wing should possess is its
great stability and tuck-resistance. When this is achieved, the user does not
have to concentrate all the time on steering, thus saving energy for other
purposes like navigation, taking pictures or simply enjoying the flight.
Moreover, the faster and safer your paraglider is, the more often you can fly.
While the Nucleon WRC Cabrio was designed to retain all the features of a
conventional paraglider, application of a reflex aerofoil section added several
new qualities.
First of all, using that profile means that the wing stability does not depend
exclusively on the pilot’s actions anymore. It maintains its own pitch attitude,
rising and sinking through thermals while remaining stable above your head,
without need for so much pilot input.
Generally speaking the reflex profile is a special kind of aerofoil section.
Specific static pressure distribution creates a situation where at low attack
angles, only the wing fore part (some 60% of the chord) is producing lift,
while the rear 40% of the chord acts as a stabiliser against excessive
decrease of the attack angle.
With trimmer system you can considerably raise the rear part of the airfoil,
thus effectively reducing projected chord and surface area by some 30%,
giving the paraglider a higher wing loading and increasing speed without
change in the angle of attack. The centre of pressure also moves forward,
adding enhanced pitch stability. Such a shift of loading gives the wing
exceptional tuck-resistance and increases projected aspect ratio, resulting in
much better performance especially at full speed.
Should you require more lift at lower speeds, the rear section can be pulled
down to restore a full airfoil, effective along the whole chord.
Piloting the Nucleon WRC Cabrio actually reminds flying a conventional
powered aircraft more than a paraglider.
Below we will try to give you a closer look at some of its remarkable
features.
2.2 STRUCTURE
The Nucleon WRC Cabrio 3D body was designed in our CSG (Canopy
Shape Guard) system, comprising many elements resulting in exceptional
coherence and stability of the shape. Below you will find a short description
of CSG subsystems.
Nucleon has an elliptical planform with slightly rearward swept tips. The cells
are divided with ribs additionally supported by diagonal VSS (V-shaped
supports) system. Such arrangement ensures a smooth top surface, exact
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aerofoil reproduction across the entire wingspan and yet more importantly,
minimal number of suspension points.
The lower surface has a RSS (Reinforcing Strap System)
applied in the wing’s interior. RSS is an ballooningindependent reinforcements system, made entirely of
paragliding fabric, stiffening and stabilizing entire canopy
structure.
Nucleon’ aerofoil is another product of our DRA (Dudek
Reflex Airfoil) technology. It was calculated with our
previous experiences in mind and thoroughly tested with
numerical methods.
Properties of a reflex airfoil were described above. The
suspension points areas are additionally reinforced with laminated fabric so
that loads are equally distributed on three planes: vertically (through the
ribs), diagonally through VSS system and level through the RSS.
All crossports have been prepared using OCD (Optimised Crossports
Design) technology. Carefully designed shapes of the openings and their
optimal placement between stress lines guarantee very efficient pressure
distribution in the canopy and its quick inflation. These openings are scaled
together with the ribs, so that their replicability is flawless and they do not
disturb the aerofoil in any way.
Another feature of the Nucleon WRC Cabrio is the Flexi-Egde technology.
The leading edge is closed to the airflow, and its precise shape is kept with
laminated cloth reinforcements, incorporating synthetic rods. The rods make
the leading edge stiffer and smoother, bringing improvements in many areas
- from easier inflation, through stiffening the canopy in flight to improved
general airflow.
Cell openings are positioned on the undersurface in the vicinity of the
leading edge. Their exact placement was very carefully selected, so that
they got maximum ram effect in as many flight situations as possible.
On the wingtips we placed the ACS (Auto Cleaning Slots) - dedicated slots
automatically removing dirt from inside the wing.
Careful selection of modern fabrics and design solutions brings about great
strength and durability of the Nucleon. All materials used come from marked
production batches, and each production step can be verified down to
identification of specific worker and controller.
Nucleon Cabrio WRC is manufactured under new technology, utilizing
precision of the laser cutter. All stages of production process take place in
Poland under strict supervision of the designer himself, thus ensuring
highest European quality.
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USER MANUAL
Fabric
The upper surface is made of 38 and 41-gram Dominico Tex cloth. Lower
surface is made of 34-gram Dominico Tex cloth, contributing to low weight of
the canopy.
The ribs must be as rigid and stretch-resistant as possible. We found these
qualities in Porcher Skytex Hard cloth with E29A impregnate (40 g/m2). All
suspension points and leading edge reinforcements are made of SR-Scrim
fabric.
Rigging system
All of the Nucleon WRC Cabrio suspension lines are sheathed by a coloured
polyester layer which is covering a brownish Technora core. Low number of
lines required such composition, featuring high strength and stretchresistance of the lines.
The rigging system consists of individual lines looped and stitched at each
end. The upper level lines start at the attachment points. Cascade-wise they
are joined by twos or threes to middle layer lines. These in turn connect by
twos or threes to main suspension lines, which are attached to the risers
with triangular quick links (maillons). To prevent their slipping off, the lines
are kept together with a rubber 'O ring'.
All the maillons are made of corrosion resistant, polished stainless steel,
ensuring excellent strength and durability. We use only the best quality,
certified maillons by Peguet.
Stabilo lines run from the outer suspension points to the maillons through
consecutive cascades as well. The same story goes for the steering lines.
They run from the trailing edge through several layers to the main steering
lines, which are lead through the pulleys connected to the rear risers and
then fixed to the brake handles. Steering lines do not carry any load.
Some of the steering lines of the upper level are additionally led through
rings sewn into the trailing edge, shortening it when the brake is applied, so
that steering becomes lighter and more effective.
All the lines are distinguished by colours depending on their strength:
+ 2,3 mm; strength: 420 daN; colour: celadon (willow green),
+ 1,8 mm; strength: 280 daN; colour: red and orange (the latter for
pulling big ears),
+ 1,5 mm; strength: 190 daN; colour: violet,
+ 1,3 mm; strength: 140 daN; colour: green,
+ 1,2 mm; strength: 90 daN; colour: blue.
(given colours are subject to slight changes).
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THE RISERS
For the Nucleon WRC Cabrio we have chosen four-way risers equipped
with:
+ ELR (Easy Launch Riser) system. This is an specially
marked A riser (yellow ribbon),
+ manual speed-system affecting A, B and C risers
when engaged, equipped with a handle and trimmer buckle to lock it in
desired position;
+ trimmers of red band with visible scale, designed for quick and easy
replacement in case of deterioration;
+ various levels of the pulleys, to be used depending on the hangpoint
level;
+ ALC+ allows for effective turns even at high speed,
without distorting reflex profile too much. Steering is
done with dedicated TST handles (Tip Seering
Toggles).
+ TEA -Torque Effect Adjuster – allowing for eliminating the effect of
engine torque, tending to turn the paraglider in the direction opposite
to the propeller's rotation. The system can be adjusted to match your
specific combination of paramotor/propeller.
For quick and easy recognition in emergency, some of the risers are
distinguished with coloured band as follows:
A - yellow (used for launching)
A' - black neoprene (used for big ears)
B - red (used for B-stall)
D - grey (needed to keep the glider down in strong wind – aborted
launch).
Main A row suspension lines connect to an A riser (yellow) and A' (black
neoprene). B row and stabiliser lines go to B riser (red), C lines go to C riser
(black neoprene) and D lines to D riser (grey), as well as steering lines
(through their pulleys).
Brake handles are attached to the steering lines at optimal point,
guaranteeing safe and effective operation. On the main brake line there are
two point marked, higher and lower, to be used depending on the harness
hangpoint level.
On adjusting the steering lines see chapter 3.1.
Our newest brake handle used in Nucleon WRC Cabrio besides its
attractive, light design, features:
+ a swivel – preventing possible twisting of the steering
line,
+ TCT (Triple Comfort Toggle) system,
+ EK (Easy Keeper) system
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USER MANUAL
3. FLIGHT OPERATION
3.1 STEERING LINES AND LAUNCH ASSIST ADJUSTMENTThe
Nucleon’s WRC Cabrio risers are shorter than in most paragliders, thus
alleviating potential problem with different hangpoints. There are two places
to fix the steering lines pulley – high, and middle (see risers diagram on p.
36). On the main steering line there are three points marked – lower, middle
and higher, indicating where to fix steering handle depending on pulley
placement.
CAUTION! Before first use check whether steering lines and pulleys are set
for higher or lower hangpoint, and adjust them to your preferences if
necessary.
When flying with low hangpoint (or without paramotor) fix the pulleys to
upper loops on the risers, and the steering handles on upper or middle
positions marked on the steering lines (so that steering lines are effectively
shortened).
General rule is simple - higher hangpoints require longer brake lines,
lowerhangpoints require shorter lines.
Before you take your Nucleon WRC Cabrio in the air, we strongly advise to
try out everything first. Hang up the entire PPG unit with ropes (in case of a
trike it is enough to clip the risers in), sit in and have someone pull up the
risers. You must make sure that in flight you will always be able to reach the
brake handles, even if the airflow blows them away.
While being suspended in this way, you have a perfect opportunity to adjust
the launch assist system too (if present). It should engage the A risers,
shortening them when the canopy remains behind the pilot. During inflation
its effect should gradually diminish and finally disappear completely as the
canopy arrives overhead. If you think the paraglider is rising up too rapidly,
lines or straps of assist system should be lengthened.
An additional way to check the whole configuration out is to visit take-off
sitein steady winds. Inflate the canopy and take it up over your head. When
it stabilises, check that the brakes are loose and are not pulling the trailing
edge. There should be a spare inch or so before they activate.
Remember that it is always safer to set the margin of play too big than too
small. And, most important, the setting must always be symmetrical.
3.2 FREE FLIGHT (no power unit)
Although the Nucleon WRC Cabrio according to its design book is a fast
PPG wing, it behaves surprisingly well as a classic tandem paraglider too
and can be used as such without any changes.
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Easy Keeper (EK)
Easy Keeper is the name of our proprietary system to hold the brake handles at
the risers. The strong neodymium magnets keep them firmly in place, while
both attaching and releasing goes smoothly and easily. With Easy keeper you
can easily secure the brakes in flight, thus minimizing danger of their contact
with the propeller.
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USER MANUAL
Tip Steering Toggles (TST)
TDS
Launch assist system
TST
handle
+
ALC+ allows for aggressive turns
even on full speed, without
modifications of the reflex profile.
This is of special importance when
flying in turbulences with open
trimmer and speed system
engaged.
Additionaly it is important for
bigger canopy sizes, without
special solutions demonstrating
problems associated with big
steering forces and low agility.
Prior to grabbing the miniature
TST-handles (Tip Steering
Toggles) pilot places the main
steering handles in special Toggle
Docking Stations (TDS). In this
way you can comfortably steer the
wing via TST handles, not
worrying about the brakes getting
tangled.
Additionally mounted straps shorten A risers during inflation (left photo).
When the canopy is ready at 12 hrs position, A risers go back to their
original length (assist system ceases to work - right photo)
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