two things, OK make it 3 (first, get with your local CFI if he knows PIK's
and get it straight from him!)
On Takeoff, make certain your tow pilot knows to get and keep his speed up,
ESPECIALLY if the PIK has only a CG hook!....Slow tows on a CG hook,
especially with gliders like the PIK with small elevator can be very
exciting, if not dangerous!....if you get the nose up (Always keep the nose
level on tow, or slightly down ((it'll be down if you're flying with some
degree of + Flaps))) and the tow is slow you may find yourself pitched up to
the sky and no way to get it back to level unless the tow can speed
up...dancing on the rudder with the nose to the moon is no fun!.....
On landing any flaps only glider you'll want full flaps........using 30-45
degree flaps will give you a very long ground effect float until the runway
and directional control are all completely gone!.... It may seem intense
standing on the pedals rushing towards the ground but you'll have to learn
this technique to successfully land the flaps only gliders.....
also....don't flare hard and don't flare until you're to just a very few
feet above the ground lest you balloon up and stall far too high to keep PIK
and Pilot in one piece....
tim
Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com


"phil collin" wrote in message
...
I'm about to become the owner of a PiK20b.
I have never flown one before and wondered if there were any owners/pilots
of this particular model who could offer some words of wisdom on what to
expect. I've read with interest the "pat your head rub your tummy" stories
of flaring and winding the flaps up to negative to weight the tail at the
same time so you can use the nose wheel. I'm guessing 30 to 45 degrees of
flap on the approach is going to be like spoilers.
Looking forward to some responses. I take delivery this Saturday and the
met looks great at the moment.

Phil