In article ,
"Bob Whelan" wrote:

"Jack" wrote...

(selectively snipped
I've seen several remarks lately in Soaring Magazine and on my home
club's internet forum about the characteristics of [a 1-35]
sailplane. Though not directly bashing this ship, comments made seem to
imply that it's a difficult or dangerous sailplane to fly.


Yep, the ol' "Flaps of Death" fallacy. Just imagine if the 1-35 were a
V-tail!

I have only flown one glider that uses flaps alone for glidepath
control: an HP-16 (Thanks again Dr. Jim). Clearly, I cheated death as
neither the flaps nor v-tail got me. Absolutely lovely ship and flies a
lot better than my 301 Libelle. Easy to pick a spot and land on it. I'd
be more at ease landing out in the HP-16 than my Libelle.

I think the key is to use enough flap. I've seen too many folks in the
1-35, PIK, or HP's timidly crank in only about half flap and then dive
at the runway. They end up too fast and do the funny looking glide down
the field with their tale way up in the air. Turn final high and crank
them flaps in at least 70 degrees and it's easy from there.

Actually, my favorite system is the trailing edge flap/divebrake combo
used on some of the Glasflugel and Schempp Hirth (and Caproni A-21 if I
rememember correctly). Best of both worlds, but difficult to seal up air
leaks. Not a concern on the older design ships they are found on, but
new ships have laminar flow so far back on the wing that sealing of the
flaps is critical.

I still don't really care for the 1-35 very much, but that is because
better gliders can be had for the same (or less) money.

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