AGERA RS

During the development of the Agera RS, the focus was on the best possible gliding performance at high
speeds in combination with maximum canopy stability and good-natured folding behavior.
Many pilots have already confirmed that this goal has been achieved.
However, there was some criticism regarding the handling of the Agera RS, especially when
re-centering in weak, small-scale thermals.
What was unusual was that around 90% of the pilots apparently had no complaints and
even rated the handling as good to very good, whereas 10% (eight pilots known to us) found the
handling difficult.
This has prompted us to temporarily suspend delivery of the Agera RS in order to get to the bottom of the
cause of these differing assessments.

Root cause analysis:
– On some of the Agera RSs inspected, the main lines AI and AII had already stretched more than expected after the
first flights, and in some cases the main line CIII
had also shrunk. The exact cause of the variation in line lengths has not yet been conclusively clarified with the
line manufacturer. However, the changes in length were
within the tolerances specified by the manufacturer and do not in themselves
have any influence on safety.
– At least one pilot flew the Agera RS with an unusually wide karabiner spacing
of over 60cm.
– Most of the dissatisfied pilots flew the Agera RS in combination with light
recumbent harnesses without a seat board, whose harness geometry was sometimes very different
from the harnesses used during development.
– Some pilots stated that they flew with a lot of external brake in thermals.

Results of the internal investigation:
During our test flights, each of the above-mentioned causes in itself led to at least
a noticeable deterioration in handling.
If several of these unfavorable influencing factors came together on one wing, the
result was a comprehensible “very special” to unacceptable handling.

Measures:
The elongation of the A-risers is taken into account for all Agera RSs delivered in 2019, i.e.
the lines are shortened by the expected elongation. A slight increase in the
trim speed must be expected during the very first flights until the lines
have “settled”.
In addition, the braking process has been optimized, which has significantly improved the climb performance in weak
conditions, while at the same time reducing the control pressures.
These measures have been agreed with the type approval body and have no influence on
safety.
As the measures taken result in a clearly noticeable improvement in handling
and also make the Agera RS less sensitive to the other factors mentioned above
, we are offering all owners of an Agera RS a free upgrade
to bring their aircraft up to date.
We ask pilots to contact SWING Flugsportgeräte GmbH directly (DE, AT),
or our representatives in the respective country (contact: swing.de/vertrieb) before returning the product.
IMPORTANT: Unsolicited returns from non-EU countries cannot be accepted
!