Dudek Nucleon WRC User manual
manual
user
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 three points to fix the pulleys on – lower, middle and upper one
(see risers on page 36). On each main steering line there are two points marked,
lower and upper, 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 (see page 20).
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+ 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 the TEA lines, or (in
the order of safety) the ALC+ handles. 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 is no exception!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2. The wing..............................................................................................4
2.1 Design
2.2 Structure
3. Flight operation............................................................................12
3.1 Steering lines and speed system 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 flights
3.3.1 Take-off
3.3.2 Flight
3.3.3 Landing
3.3.4 Golden rules
3.4 Quick descent methods
1. Introduction......................................................................................3
3.4.1 Big ears
3.4.2 Spiral dive
3.4.3 B-stall
3.5 Aerobatics
3.5.1 Wing over
3.6 Extreme manoeuvrese
3.6.1 One sided collapse
3.6.2 Frontal collapse
3.6.3 Full stall and negative spin
3.6.4 Deep stall
3.6.5 Line over and cravatte
3.6.6 Emergency steering
4. Canopy care........................................................................................25
4.1 Folding and Storage
4.2 Cleaning
4.3 Repair
4.4 Deterioration - a few tips
5. Technical data......................................................................................27
6. Warranty, AeroCasco..........................................................................28
7. What have you bought.......................................................................30
8. Rigging tables and scheme ................................................................31
9. Risers - design and accessories ........................................................33
Page
Fot. Iwona Dudek
Trailing edge
Risers
Cell
openings
Main
suspension
lines
Stabilizer
Leading
edge
Cell
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 PPG
paraglider. Extensive development, application of the most modern methods
and thorough testing resulted in a friendly behaving 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
paraglider 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 or with an Instructor.
+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! Neither the
manufacturer nor dealer do accept any liability connected with this
activity.
+This paraglider on delivery meets all the requirements of the EN 926-1
and 926-2 regulations or has an airworthiness certificate issued by the
manufacturer. Any alterations to the paraglider will render its certificates
invalid.
NOTE
Dudek Paragliders warns that due to constant process of development the
actual paraglider may differ slightly from the one described in the manual.
3
USER MANUAL
2. THE WING
WHO SHOULD FLY Nucleon WRC?
You have been paramotoring for some time now. You know and appreciate
performance and safety of the reflex-aerofoil paragliders. Even if you are
currently flying only for fun, long routes are attracting you no less than a wish to
prove yourself against the best international competitors, or to beat some record.
You are not afraid of strong thermals, and the agility tasks close to the ground
look promising too.
What you need is a top-drawer paraglider; a canopy that will be safe and stable
both at top and low speeds, with with efficient trimmers and speed system, as
well as a precise steering, capable of quick reversing your paraglider. On top of
that it has to be robust, so that high loads occurring at frequent PPG flying will
not cause any deformations of the surface.
If most of the above statements do apply to you, then the Nucleon is your wing!
2.1 DESIGN
Nucleon is an Action and Reaction class paraglider, built around a new idea
already proven in Synthesis and Plasma. The new concept assumes linear
characteristics of acceleration (equally shared between trims and speed
system) and limited reflexivity at slow trim settings. It is accompanied by a
number of new design features, intensively tested since 2007 and introduced
into mass production for the for the first time in the world. As a result we
have a 100% reflex PPG paraglider with great performance and outstanding
safety (comparable to the already legendary Reaction), featuring handling
similar to classic paragliders (at low speeds). The Nucleon WRC takes off
perfectly, rising fast and clean after an easy inflation.
We are positively sure that the Nucleon is currently the best paraglider in its
class.
The fundamental feature of a good PPG canopy is its great stability and
tuck-resistance. When this is achieved, the user does not have to
concentrate all the time on piloting in turbulent air, thus saving energy for
navigation, taking pictures or simply enjoying the flight. In addition the faster
and safer your paraglider is, the more often you can fly. While the Nucleon
was designed to retain features of a classic paraglider, the 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.
It maintains a stable pitch attitude, rising and falling 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. The
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 creates an effective stabiliser against
4
excessive decrease of the attack angle. The trimmer system allows for
considerable raising the rear part of the airfoil, thus effectively reducing its
projected chord and surface area by some 30%, giving the paraglider a higher
wing loading and increasing its speed. The centre of pressure also moves
forward, adding enhanced pitch stability. Such a shift of loading gives the
Nucleon an exceptional tuck-resistance and increases its projected aspect
ratio, resulting resulting in much better performance, especially at high speeds.
Should you require more lift, the rear section can be pulled down to restore an
airfoil that will be effective along its entire chord.
The WRC version (With Rod Concept) incorporates Dudek Flexi Egde
technology.
Some minor modifications in the design (improving curvature among others)
caused the wing to be more agile. Exchanging mylar reinforcements for elastic
rods results in easier inflation and stiffens the leading edge. Increased speed
ranges are another advantage of that improvement. ALC+ (new version of the
ALC steering system) is more efficient and affects the canopy in more
proportionate way. In effect steering appears to be smoother.
Those modifications should be welcomed especially by the competitors,
seeking both for faultless launches and agility.
2.2 STRUCTURE
The Nucleon 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
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 ballooning-independent 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.
5
USER MANUAL
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. The Nucleon leading edge is closed to airflow, and its precise
shape is guarded by reinforcements of laminated fabric.
Another feature of the Nucleon WRC 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 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.
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.
6
Rigging system
All of the Nucleon 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 stretch-resistance 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).
7
USER MANUAL
8
+
TEA - Torque Effect Adjuster
ALC+:
- line
- handle with ball
- elastic band
Two examples how to handle ALC+
Magnetic lock
of the ALC+ handle
three pulley locations
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.
Steering is executed by a
handle finished with red
balls, easily accessible in
all suspension modes.
+
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