On 3/16/2011 6:55 PM, Walt Connelly wrote:
Okay folks, your thoughts on the Standard Cirrus? Good, bad
indifferent? Flying tail, pros and cons? I am new to gliding,
Commercial Add on, 140 flights and approx 100 hours, mostly in 1-34.
Would this be a reasonable next step?

I did transition to a Std Cirrus with about your experience, and I
enjoyed flying it, but sold it in two years because I got tired of poor
airbrakes, poor wheel brakes, and sensitive elevator with lots of
feedback in turbulence. I did not miss it.

There are better choices, with much better airbrakes for safer landings,
conventional elevators so you don't have to hold the stick in both hands
over 75 knots, wheel brakes that work without modification, more crash
protection. They cost more money, but there is a good reason for that:
they are better gliders in several ways. If you can afford one with auto
hook up controls, especially the elevator, make that a priority.

A good trailer is good, too, but a safe, comfortable, pleasant to fly
glider is more important. You can always work on the trailer and improve
it, but most of us can't do much for the glider.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)
- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what
you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz