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A V 1 0

F A I R HA VE N A L T I - V A R I O / V 1 0 0
Thank you for buying a Fairhaven product.

V A R I O

We hope that you will find that it gives long service and is a pleasure to use.

A b o u t

t h e

A V - 1 0 .

The AV10 is an analogue variometer (rate of climb/descent indicator) which has a needle indication calibrated to 10 knots, and a loud audio tone system, which indicates vertical speed. It is combined with a digital altimeter which is versatile and has a large display. The lift and sink tones are easy to distinguish from one another. The lift tone is a clear interrupted bleep which increases in pitch, rate and volume across the vario's scale. The sink tone starts with a gradual click and builds to a continuous loud bleep, so the vario will really let you know if you hit sinking air, without being annoying if you only manage a "top to bottom" descent. The thresholds at which the tones start to occur can be adjusted so that no tone is produced during near-level flight. Adjustments can be made without dismantling the vario's case. An additional feature of the AV1C is the battery tester. This is not strictly a low battery indicator, which tells you when the battery is flat, but a tester which loads the battery and lights the indicator if the battery has the power to withstand the load. This is an established way of testing batteries, and providing that the indicator lights, there will be sufficient energy to power the vario for an average day's use. Therefore no provision has been made to carry spare batteries, offering a saving in weight. The battery tester fades out after two seconds and the vario continues to consume very little power, (around 2 milliamps), giving over fifty hours use with alkaline batteries, such as Duracell MN1604, or over 200 hours with lithium cells, which we can supply. The vario will operate over a 6 to 14 volt battery range, which is compatible with rechargeable PP3 batteries, and certain other supplies. The AV10 also has a low battery indicator which appears as a battery symbol on the left of the altimeter display.

U s i n g

y o u r

a l t i - v a r i o .

The battery switch on the front panel allows selection of both tones when in the up position, while pressing the switch down gives audio on lift only. The vario is off when the switch is at the centre position and it is recessed to prevent inadvertent operation. Audio is muted initially until the vario settles. The battery tester is operated, for a short time, whenever the AV10 is switched on. If the indicator fails to light, the battery has less than 7 volts and should be changed. This is done by

applying pressure to the raised triangle on the battery lid to disengage the catch, and sliding the lid towards the rear. The battery can then be jolted out or removed with the corner of the battery lid. There is no need to open the main case. Switch off when changing batteries and observe polarity when reconnecting. Do not leave batteries inside the vario for long periods as some types leak corrosive fluids which may render your vario irreparable. PLEASE NOTE - BATTERY FAILURE MAY GIVE MISLEADING INDICATIONS.

S e t t i n g

t h e

A l t i m e t e r .

There are two height offset controls (marked QNH and QFE) which span over 10,000 feet. Their purpose is to allow zeroing at take off (QFE) and referencing to take off height (QNH) where the known take off height is pre-set before use. This information can be obtained from maps or local knowledge of the hill. Alternatively QNH and QFE may be set to take off/bottom landing field. The ONE switch position is a fixed pressure reference equal to 1013.2 millibars which is the same as sea level on a "standard day". Altitude displayed in this mode is height above that pressure level, which is useful for flight level separation and flying in controlled airspace. The AV10 altimeter display has two altitude scales, feet x10 and metres x10, so units are not displayed on the LCD display as a fixed zero, this has allowed room for an extra large display whilst maintaining the same overall size as the V100 vario. The altimeter can also be scaled to read metres directly, to 1999 metres which is equal to 6558 feet, along with the standard 19990 feet range. Access to the QNE pre-set is available on the front panel, to offset small changes which may occur due to ageing of the altimeter. pressure sensor, however it is not usually recommended that the user should adjust this control. Please be aware that altitude readings vary according to barometric pressure including QNE. Paraglider versions have a stretch Velcro leg strap. The strap should be passed around the upper leg and passed through its D-link, before being fastened down. Be aware that carrying extra equipment may increase the likelihood of the paraglider's lines becoming caught up. So please check this point especially at take off. Hang-glider versions are normally fitted with Wonder Clamps for round bar fitting. if you are unsure about fixing your vario to your hang-glider, it is recommended that you consult your hang-glider dealer to check the suitability of the clamp and to find cut the most suitable position. Clamps for aerofoil bars can be provided at extra cost. The clamp should be rotated forwards for best visibility and the vario should be fitted to the hang-glider in a position where it is not likely to strike the pilot in the event of a heavy landing, i.e. away from the pilots direct line of fall.

A c c u r a c y .
The AV10 is usually calibrated for use up to 20,000 feet, so the scale is linearised to take account of the reducing rate of change with increasing altitude. This ensures accuracy over its entire range. The variometer is also compensated to negate the tendency for loss of sensitivity at high altitudes.D

The AV10 uses silicon pressure sensors which give no noticeable orientation or centrifugal indication, temperature stabilisation is provided by an inherent function of the pressure sensor to offset the effects of changes in temperature as they occur, without having to rely upon circuitry external to the sensor to make corrections. This means that good control over the altimeter's stability is achieved, especially in response to sudden changes in temperature, any short term errors in the altimeters accuracy can be avoided if the altimeter is not suddenly transferred from a hot to cold environment. In normal use the variometer will not vary from zero due to changes in temperature, and all altimeters are temperature cycled by computer to ensure stability. Vapour tests are carried out to check immunity to the effects of humidity.

A u d i o

T h r e s h o l d

A d j u s t m e n t .

1. Take out battery but leave connected. 2. Set needle to desired threshold point using the zero adjustment (Ten turns end to end). e.g. 2 for lift 3. Adjust audio threshold until the vario just starts bleeping. Clockwise lowers the threshold (which makes it beep at a lower rates of climb), anti-clockwise raises the threshold. 4. Set to zero or set other threshold. 5. Alternatively adjust threshold and move the vario up or down to see at what point the vario responds. Some experimentation may be required to find the right adjustment to suit your own preferences. 6. The audio volume can be adjusted on the front panel using the screwdriver, and it can be turned off completely. Rear Of AV10

UP DOWN ZERO Thresholds

DAMPING Optional

Setting zero, ensure that the vario has been switched on for at least a minute and that wind is not causing the needle to move due to fluctuating air pressure. Adjust the zero control slowly and observe the meter carefully, remember that the vario's response is damped which means that it may take a short time to settle accurately when being adjusted. Please be aware that the screwdriver may present a hazard if it is carried in flight. Different damping options are available including averaging up to 20 seconds, provided by means of a switch on certain versions.

R e p a i r

a n d

C a l i b r a t i o n

S e r v i c e s .

It is unlikely that your vario will ever need repair, however all spares are held by Fairhaven including case parts at low prices. We welcome purchasers to return altimeters for a winter service and to check the calibration.

W a r n i n g .
Care should be taken not to use the instrument in a way that is likely to impair control of your glider. Do not divert your attention away from the task of flying your glider to read the instrument unless it is safe to do so. As with any complicated instrument. malfunction cannot be ruled out, and this should be taken into account before deciding to manoeuvre in response to your instrument.

G U A R A N T E E .
Your vario carries a one year guarantee covering failure of the device in any way, providing that it has not been abused . Fairhaven will refund the cost of the vario if the owner is not completely satisfied (normally limited to within two weeks of purchase) and providing that it is returned in good condition.

If you require any further assistance please contact me on the above telephone number.

Good luck and have fun!

Clive Buxton