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Old June 23rd 06, 11:01 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Opinions on fleet replacement strategies.

In article 4493fbb5.0@entanet, Martin Gregorie
writes
Bruce Greef wrote:

Whether the K21 is the best option - again too heavy, and too expensive.

If the K21 is too heavy, maybe you should consider throwing a bit of
money at the winch too - and/or consider a Puchacz. Its a lightly loaded
glider and relatively cheap to boot. I've been flying one a lot recently
and had forgotten how nice it is to fly and how good its air brakes are.
Its only real drawback is a rather narrow winching window - Vmw is 59 kts.

Winching: our Supacat has only a 240 hp Deutz diesel, but I've seen it
winch launch an ASH-25 several times.


I'm told that Poo-Cats have rather unfortunate spinning
characteristics, that is they go into a spin rather easily, and if you
get it wrong, can also go into an inverted spin.

While a K21 without mods, will hardy spin at all.

I suppose it depends on your philosophy, if you think pilots
should learn how to spin, how to avoid spinning when they don't mean to,
then the Poo-cats it is. But if you think that your club is better
served by avoiding the possibility of a spin, perhaps the K21 is a wiser
choice.
--
Mike Lindsay