I have not flown a Schempp Hirth design with an all
flying tail (stabilator), but I've flown my LS1-d,
which does have an all flying tail, for over 10 years,
and you can trim it and let go of the stick. No problem.
If I need both hands to open a snack or change my
sunglasses to my clear glasses, I can easily set up
the ship to fly itself. You don't have to 'mind the
store' every second.

I haven't tried this above 60 knots, but below 60 knots,
there is no problem. And because it trims nicely at
75 knots, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to let
go of the stick for a few seconds at that speed either.
Usually, I only need to let go for a couple of seconds.
It doesn't take long to peel a banana or open a pack
of 'nabs.'

Ray Lovinggood
Happy Owner of LS1-d
s/n 27, 'W8'


At 00:00 21 March 2006, Robert Hart wrote:
Jeff Runciman wrote:
Thank you for all of your help.

It turns out the ASW is 50,000. The Cirrus makes
me
a bit nervous with the tail (attaching and flying)

I've not had much to do with Cirrus's - but I have
had to deal with the
same all flying tail plane on a borrowed Nimbus 2 whilst
my 2c was in
for repairs (see
http://www.hart.wattle.id.au/alice/a...ice3mar04.html).

I too was somewhat twitched at the stories I had heard
about the all
flying tail and its sensitivity, so my first launch
had me waiting in
some apprehension - which was completely unwarranted.

Whilst the all flying tail does mean that you shouldn't
let go off the
stick at high speed (or even for long at low speed)
it does not make the
aircraft unstable in pitch. It's certainly more sensitive
in pitch and
PIOs are easier to do - but remember a PIO is a PILOT
induced
oscillation and not a problem with the aircraft!

As for rigging and making sure the elevator is correctly
attached, it is
a bit difficult at first, but after a couple of goes
it didn't present a
great problem.

I did however do an extremely careful loaded control
check as part of
the DI (get someone to hold the all flying tail to
restrict its movement
and then firmly move the control column) to ensure
that it truly was
attached and not just 'resting'!

I would suggest you don't rule out a Cirrus just because
of the
'stories' about the all flying tail. It is my experience
that these are
exaggerated - but do of course contain a kernel of
truth as noted above!

Robert