LET BLANIK L-13 Pilot's Notes

Czechoslavak Aeronautical Works

PILOT’S NOTES

FOR THE

BLANIK L-13 SAILPLANE

2nd REVISED EDITION - 1967

AERONAUTICAL WORKS - LET KUNOVICE - CZECHOSLOVAKIA

PILOT’S NOTES
FOR THE
BLANIK L-13 SAILPLANE

2

FOREWORD

These Pilot’s Notes are intended to be used by qualified sailplane pilots ony and so no attempt has been made in them
to give any basic instruction

For further technical details about the sailplane, reference should be made to the publication “Technical Manual of the
L-13 Sailplane”.

Any amendment to this publication will be issued by the manufacturer in the form of Service Bulletins. The
incorporation of any such amendment should be recorded in the Amendment List given on page 4.

3

AMENDMENT LIST

Note: “I” or “S”, as appropriate, indicating either an Information or a Service bulletin, should be entered in the column
headed “Class of Bulletin”

Item

No

1 L 13/024 Service 10., 12. Editor

Bulletin

No

Class of
Bulletin

Alternating made in the

following paras.

Carried

Out by

4

1) PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION

a) EXTERNAL CHECKS

Before entering the cockpit, a detailed inspection of the sailplane for proper condition should be carried out
by the pilot. This inspection should include the following specific items: -

I. Check the glider log book for serviceability state.

II. Examine the sailplane for external damage.
III. Remove pitot cover or plug if fitted.
IV. Check that all wing and tailplane attachment and control assembly pins are Secure.

V. Check that all detachable panels are secure.
VI. Check that the undercarriage is lowered, and that the tyre and oleo are normally inflated [tire

pressure 37 1b./sq.in. (2,6 kp/sq.cm.), oleo 470 +/- 15 b./sq.in. (33 +/- 1 kp./sq.cm.)].

VII. Check that the canopy jettison lever has not been operated accidentally, and that the sealing

wire is intact.

VIII. Inspect the cockpit hood for damage and, if necessary, clean it and demist the interior.

IX. Check the controls, flaps, air brakes, and trim control for full and free movement and

operation in the correct sense.

X. Inspect; the cockpit, including all instruments, for proper condition, and make sure that the

safety harnesses are not damaged and are securely attached to the glider. Remove all loose
articles not wanted in flight and, if the sailplane is to be flown solo. Secure the rear safety
harness and sea t cushions.

b) PRE TAKE-OFF CH ECKS

(refer to Figs. 1 and 2 for location of numbered items)

I. Safety Harness: Enter the cockpit and fasten the safety harness en suring that it is fully and

tightly fitted.

II. Rudder Controls: The position of the rudder pedals should be adjusted with the pilot fully

strapped in so that each pedal can be moved comfortably to the full extent of its travel without
either foot having to be removed from the pedals.

III. The position of the rudder pedals in the front cockpit can be adjusted by means of the handle

(25) on the cockpit floor just in front of the base of the control column. In the rear cockpit,
adjustment to one of three possible positions may be obtained by first removing the locking pin
on the back of each pedal (2).

IV. T r im: Check the trim tab contro l (5) for full and free movement; and set to a position slightly

forward of neutral or as otherwise may be determined by experience.

V. Flaps and Air Brakes: Check the air brakes (3) and flaps (4) for full and free movement, ensuring

that the air brakes are fully retracted and the flaps set to the desired position for take-off.

VI. Cable Release: Check the cable release mechanism for proper functioning by operating the

release handle (8).

VII. Instruments: Set the barometric pressure scale on the altimeter (17) to the required reading by

means of the knob (18). Check that the variometers (11 and 12) read zero. By means of the
switch (20), switch on the turn indicator and check it for proper functioning. If an electric
artificial horizon is fitted, switch it on for a short period in order to check it for proper
functioning (refer to para. 5 for more detailed information regarding the use of the LUN 1202
artificial horizon).

VIII. Flight Controls: Both the control column and the rudder pedals should be checked again for and

free movement in all directions. When checking the aileron controls, the wing tip should be
lifted clear of the ground so as to prevent damage to the aileron.

IX. Wheel Brake: Check the wheel brake lever (6) for free movement, and ensure that it is in the

fully off position.

X. Cockpit Hood: Check that the cockpit hood is properly closed and locked.

5

Fig. 1 . Front Cockpit

Including optional extra instrum ents

1. Control column. 2. Rudder pedals. 3. Air brake control. 4. Flap control. 5. Elevator trim tab control. 6. Wheel brake lever. 7.

Towing cable release handle. 9. Airspeed indicator. 10. Com- pass. II. Variometer 0-5 m/sec. 12. Variometer 0-15 m/sec or 0-30

m/sec. 13. Turn and slip indicator. 14. Artificial Horizon. 15. A/H aircraft silhouette height adjusting knob. 16. A/H caging knob. 17.

Altimeter. 18. Altimeter barometri c pressure adjustment knob. 19. A/H "on/off" push button 20. Turn indi cator switch. 21. Comp ass

correction card. 22. Battery circuit breaker (on sailplanes up to 21st series only). 22a. Battery circuit breaker (on sailplanes of 22nd

Note: Items 14, 15, 16, 19, 22 (or 22a) and 23 are optional extras which are in st alled only at the customer's special request.

series and upward s). 23. Clock. 24. Ventilator. 25. Rudder pedal adjustment h andle.

1.

6

Fig. 2. Rear Cockpit (including optional extra instruments)

1 to 21 inclusive -These items are identical to thos e shown in Fig. 1. Item 12. Variometer 0-15 or 0 - 30 m/sec. is installed in

this cockpit only at the special request if the cust om er. In addition, a firs t aid box is installed on the right hand side of this

cockpit just under the instrument panel.

2) WINCH LAUNCHING

If original towing-bridle is used, the maximum weak link strength is 2,000 1b. (910 kp).

For maximum launch height, the side-towing bridle should be used. To reduce the possibility of
"whipping", the towing-bridle should be laid out in front of the sail- plane before launching. During take
off, as the control loads are very light, care should be taken not to climb too steeply at a low airspeed, and it
is important when releasing the cable to pull the release handle fully so as to allow the cable hooks to fall
off.

The nose hook, which embodies a back release mechanism, also may be used for winch launching.

Partial flap may be used during winch launching, if desired, in order to reduce the take-off run. A speed of
54 knots (100 km/hr.) should not be exceeded if the flaps are extended, or 65 knots (120 km/hr.) with the
flaps retracted.

The recommended speed for winch launching is 43-54 knots (80-100 km/hr.).

7