On Thu, 07 Sep 2017 02:38:37 +0000, Paul T
wrote:


REALLY???? and what are the numbers in 13.5m class? - lower than any
World Class event? The idea to have a relatively affordable ship that could

be used as a first solo ship in clubs, then to compete with on a level
playing
field at an international level was a far better idea than another racing
class
for the rich boys.

The point ios still valid: For the price of a PW-5 you get an older
Standard Class glider (perfectly suited for Club Class cometitions
today) with vastly superior performance. Recent history has proven
that glider pilots are not willing to fly something with the
performance of 60 years ago.


Trouble is this sport at national and intentional level
is
dominated by spoilt rich boys who turn up their noses at anything less than

40:1.


I don't know about your club, but the 15-year-old student pilots in my
club fly DG-300 and ASW-24. The 38:1 Mistral-C is being regarded as
too-badd-performance, not to mention the first solo glider, the Ka-8.

If they want to compete, they fly Club Class or Standard Class.

In case you didn't get it: There are more and more people who are
willing to buy a self-launcher - and these light 13.5m toys perfectly
fit into this market niche.