On Tuesday, October 15, 2013 10:53:11 PM UTC-5, wrote:

Based on the replies, now I'm trying to understand why anyone bothers to make flapped sailplanes if there is no measurable difference in having them....

Well, when you top out that last thermal with a good final glide home, it sure is nice to push the flaps up and walk away from your buddy in his un-flapped glider...

Seriously, there is a small but significant difference in performance with flaps. But it depends a lot on where and how you fly - Eastern US, fun flying, not so much (except on the ridge?). Out West, racing or pushing hard, it can be significant. Same can be said about water - both are a bit addictive when sampled in the right conditions (120+ knot final glides, for example!)

For some, the slower landing speed of flapped gliders is appealing.

Me, I like having something useful to do with my left hand!

Kirk
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LS6-b