Flaps are not a problem as long as you remember they
are there and remember to set them appropriately. In
many ways they can make the glider easier to fly in
terms of better approach control, and better aileron
control if negative flap is selected for the early
part of the take off ground run and after touchdown
on landing. However the ability to evolve a third arm
for operating the flap lever would be useful on occasions!

Other things to consider a
1) Extra complication and maintenance costs.

2) Positive flap limiting speeds. You can damage things
if you fly too fast in positive settings.

3) Spin recovery becomes a bit more complicated. You
are most likely to spin when turning slowly in a thermal
with positive flap selected, in which case the first
action must be to select neutral or negative flap before
carrying out the normal spin recovery. Otherwise you
risk exceeding the flap limiting speed in the recovery
dive, which is a possible cause of several glider break-ups
and fatalities.

Basically flapped gliders should not be flown by forgetful
or disorganised pilots!

Derek Copeland
---------------------------

At 02:06 24 August 2005, Skysailor wrote:
I have approximately 110 hours in sailplanes in the
past 2 years and
had no prior experience. I am evaluating used gliders
for purchase.The
big kahuna's in the club are pretty adamant about purchasing
a first
glider without flaps. My question is: Are flaps that
big a problem for
a low time pilot and why??? There many good flapped
gliders for sale. I
would like some opinions concerning this.