I would like to add my $0.02 to what Chris stated. I jumped into soaring with both feet early last year. I realized very quickly that, in the club environment,owning my own glider would give me the opportunity to fly more and fly longer. I also realized that, being a very new pilot, I needed a safe and relatively uncomplicated ship. After some research, I purchased a PW-5. For less than the cost of a mid-priced new car, I was able to buy a very clean, low time, well instrumented sailplane with a beautiful trailer.

Because the PW-5 is a very nice handling ship with no nasty habits, my instructors had enough confidence in me and my ship to sign me off to fly the PW-5 post solo but pre license.

Now, after getting my "ticket" in Marfa last February with Burt Compton (thanks Burt!), the PW-5 is greatly helping me increase my flying and soaring skills.

Do I still drool over slicker ships with more wings - yep. Will I purchase a top level sailplane in the future - I certainly hope so. Will my wife sign off on the investment..........well, that is going to take some effort

Until then, I intend to fly the hell out of the PW-5 and enjoy every minute..

Lou

On Monday, October 21, 2013 7:09:25 PM UTC-5, Chris Nicholas wrote:
Hardly anyone will take any notice of what I advise, but FWIW:



I am probably too old fashioned, but I think that somebody as little

experienced as the OP should learn to walk in something of

medium performance before running in a champion-class glider. I

am confident that many (most?) UK Chief Flying Instructors would

not let such an early pilot fly an advanced glider so soon. Ymmv.



Re what is the best glider, all such choices are compromises of one

sort or another. For most people, who are not going to be world or

national champions, a Lak 17b with FES in a Lak trailer, with one-

person rigging aids, is (I believe) substantially cheaper than an -27

etc., and would be good enough to give -27s, -29s and V2s etc. a

run for their money in equally skilled hands. In addition, it would

save needing a retrieve crew on most if not all occasions, enable

cross-country flights on days one otherwise wouldn’t, and give

more flying in less total hours per day devoted to it. And that would

greatly benefit a tyro pilot trying to gain experience to emulate the

top exponents, cheaper and faster than almost any other way.



IMHO.



Chris N