noel.wade wrote:
I'm still a fairly low-time glider pilot, but I've flown 14 types over
the last year and IMHO the ASK-13 and Blanik L-13 & L-23 are far Far
FAR better trainers than the 2-33!

As others have noted, the wood & fabric of the '13 means that it
requires a bit more care, but of course the Blaniks - while durable -
are slightly more expensive. The price delta between 2-33 ($8k -
$10k) and one of these other types ($15k - $18k) isn't that big
anymore. If your group can stretch and make the purchase, I think its
probably money well-spent.

You are neglecting the costs of hangarage for the ASK-13. No hangarage
required for the 2-33 during soaring season. This may be a significant
added cost for a lot of clubs and FBOs.

I was trained in a 2-33. Also using training time in a 1-26 I easily
achieved private license (US) using just those two gliders. I don't
feel I was damaged by that experience. Before flying my RS-15 I clocked
about 2 hours dual training in a Grob 103. First flight in my "high
performance" RS-15 occurred without a hitch (only about 20 hours of
flying anything other than radio-controlled models). I think the 2-33
still has a place in the training process, if used properly. It is
certainly *very* cost effective if purchase/maintenance *and* hangarage
costs are considered.

Nothing against the ASK-13. If you have the space to store it or are
willing to assemble each day it is a fine glider for training. But
there are noticeable extra costs.

Any of these 3 models (ASK-13, L-13, L-23) will give the student a
MUCH better feel for soaring than the 2-33, and I believe that a
better primary-trainer experience makes it easier (and more fun) for
students to transition to single-place ships and eventually to high-
performance craft. The 2-33 is a "dump truck" for throwing a lot of
people in the air; but it does little to teach them fine control or
good technique.

Coming from a radio-controlled glider background I knew that the 2-33
aileron response was poor. No problem. When I flew the 1-26 and the
G-103 they reacted more like I expected and the adjustment was quick and
easy.

Regards,

-Doug