On Saturday, October 19, 2013 11:31:39 AM UTC-7, wrote:

Does #2 - #4 change anyone's advice about my first ship?

My first glass ship was flapped - an LS-3. It was no problem. I owned and LS-4 for more than a decade and loved it. I now fly a -27 and love it even more.

The most important points IMO:

1) If you plan to fly XC in the western high deserts flaps are an important consideration for outlandings. Energy goes up with the square of approach speed - flaps help a lot.

2) If you intend to fly in contests 15M has better attendance. The notion that you can fly Standard against 15M and give up a few percent every day ultimately will frustrate you, but only if you fly FAI class and not Sports or Club. My guess is if you are just getting started this will be less of a consideration than #1 - at least for several years.

3) If you fly around Seattle take the time to explore sites where the conditions are stronger like Ephrata. It's worth the extra drive - really.

If you have less to spend, an ASW-20 or Ventus is a great ship. If you have twice as much a -27 or V2 will take you a long way and are even nicer to fly. There are other good options too, but those are the most plentiful models.

9B