wrote:
One thing that may not have been covered is cost. I see in "Gliding
International" concern about the increasing cost of material and
labour ("exploding"). If a shorter wing were used, there would be
less of both.


There is not a single proof that this is true. The difference of cost
between 14 m span and 15 m is presumably totally insignificant.
One has to chase economies elsewhere.


--

Michel TALON