over-center lock
"Not possible/desirable to have it spring loaded?"
On most, if not all, gliders the airbrakes have an over-center locking mechanism. The handle moves forward until the brake caps are flush with the wing then additional forward movement of the handle activates the over-center locking mechanism. It is usually not possible for an external observer to see if the brakes are locked only that they are closed.
When unlocked airbrakes suck open depends on the glider type. On the ASW-19b they stay closed until lift off then bang full open. I painted a red bar on my ASW-19b airbrake control rod. The red paint was completely hidden when the brakes were locked.
A properly executed control check requires the airbrakes to be opened fully then closed and locked.
Andy
Last edited by EXDAC; 9th Oct 2017 at 19:38.
Reason: fix typo