Jeff Runciman wrote in message ...
Hi guys,

Thank you so much for your insights and advise. There
is a local pilot that has an LS4, a little bit of crazing
of the fiberglass. He hasn't flown in about 10 years.
I am also looking at a brand new 15 meter SZD51-1 Junior.
I know they are not quite in the same class but I
am a little nervous about the high performance of the
LS4....

Once again, "high performance" does not equate to "hard to fly" in a
sailplane. Characteristics that make a glider "hard to fly" are poor
roll rate, small spoilers, inadequate rudder, touchy spin
characteristics or tip stalling tendencies, poor cockpit layout,
unharmonized controls, poor aileron control on takeoff, etc. This can
come with good glide angle or bad glide angle. More glide angle by
itself does not make a sailplane harder to fly - it only makes it
more fun! The LS4 is a very good easy to fly glider -- only the LS8,
Discus2, ASW28 are better in that class, and they also perform better.
The LS4 is a lot easier to fly than older generation gliders with
worse performance.


John Cochrane (BB)