wrote:
I know, I know. BTDT. Has anyone purchased a NEW sailplane lately,
and been happy with the wheel brake? The ONLY glider I've ever flown
with a decent (not great, but decent) wheel brake is the LVVSA's G103
Twin Astir. For me, a GREAT brake will REQUIRE moderation on my part
to keep from grinding the nose. I'm used to relatively modern
motorcycles, that will lock the front wheel with 2 or 3 fingers. I
would vastly rather scrape my nose, than hit the barbed wire at the
far end of a landout.

I agree completely with that last sentence!

I had an RS-15 in which the builder had installed a standard 4" Tost
drum brake (better than the kit's band-on-tire brake I suppose). The
brake was essentially useless. I've posted this before. I applied the
Tillmann Steckner brake modification (March 1998 Soaring) with superb
results. The new owner of the RS commented on how great the wheel brake
function is. But then this isn't a new glider. Sorry.

Regards,

-Doug