Makes a lot of sense. And coming back to soaring after a 20 year hiatus, and getting some positive feedback is a pleasant change.

Thanks for that John. I understand the standardization aspect. I am coming out of Schweitzer Iron from back in the day, best ship I have flown was the 1-35. Nothing standard in those birds battery location and mounting.

Hence why I asked. I wasn't sure if the new manufactured sailplanes are still running the old stuff. I thought for sure some upgrades in battery capacity and capability would have occurred in the last 2 decades with the increase load demands of the modern cockpit avionics.


As for the Pipstrel, thanks for that feedback Dave. I appreciate the quick rundown, that's exactly the kind of intel I was looking for. I have a fellow captain at my airline who recently joined the club I belong to, and is expressing the same interest in a self launcher as I, so we are not tied down to any club to soar. We are not competitors, and not record chasers. We just want to go soaring. The reception and attitudes towards new, adult soaring enthusiasts, especially professional pilots, while generally good at the club we belong to, has honestly not been too good at others he and I have both visited over the last few years. I guess I am spoiled having been brought up at Valley Soaring under UH's tutelage.