Guest
Steve Elkins (former owner of Avian) makes the first test flight on an ATOS C which was converted for Supine flying. Supine (seated) flying is much more comfortable for the pilot than the conventional prone harness, yet the ATOS still had very good performance even with quite a baggy harness. This was a short flight from the lower takeoff at Mam Tor in Derbyshire, UK. The wind was blowing Southeasterly but the main hill Steve was soaring (Treak Cliff) is Easterly, so he didn't manage to get up onto the main hill. Next time we'll carry up to the proper takeoff! The landing was very easy (these earlier ATOS models have very nice big flaps which really help slow it down. There was a light headwind on landing. Just after landing the glider started going over on it's nose - the ATOSes usually have a very rearwards static balance point but Steve forgot that this glider is more neutral, and didn't catch it early enough. No harm done :)
