On Friday, January 10, 2014 7:34:26 AM UTC-6, Charlie Papa wrote:

I suggest you get advice from Jason Stephens who operates Estrella south of Phoenix. I believe he will tell you that the Swift can be as mean as the proverbial junkyard dog and very prone to bite you. It's happier with the shiny side down!

I've got a few hours doing acro in a Swift and it is one of the nicest flying aircraft I've ever flown - but it flies like a little fighter plane, not a glider. Stalls remind me of a T-6; when it breaks - off you go on Mr Toads wild ride! Which is what makes it so good for acro. But yeah, I'd be uncomfortable thermalling under a Swift - they will spin if stalled.

But--Vne 9G pulls to 1 1/2 vertical rolls with enough energy to fly out of the top - wow what a plane! And the ailerons - you immediately want to do rolls on tow, they are so light and powerful! Sweet, honest airplane.

It would be a good investment to go fly with Jason in his Swift before contemplating purchasing one for yourself.

Good advice - they have a two-seat Fox (bigger brother of the Swift) and do an excellent job of teaching glider acro (personal experience).

Good luck and have fun!

Kirk
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