At 10:04 03 August 2019, wrote:
Yes.

HPH304 Shark.

S


OK. I have 500 hrs in a Shark SJ. Very nice to fly. Well built,
well thought through. The cockpit is a good size (I'm 6 ft 2, 90kg
and long in the back). I find it very comfortable - I can do 6 hr +
flights without any problem (which I don't find in some other
gliders). Lots of electrical power, so it can support a full suite of
avionics for that time and longer.

It's a little heavier empty than say a 29, and you really need a
rigging aid to rig, but it's straightforward if you have that. I fly at
about 500kg dry, so I can add about 100kg water if I want to. It
handles that well, and becomes a bit more stable.

On mine I get a little airflow around my feet, so use overshoes
when it's cold outside. But that might be specific to my airframe.

I like the jet - it's a good choice of powerplant. I get about 130km
range in still air - which is about twice the actual range of the FES I
think (all the FESs, not just the Shark). But the FES seems to work
reasonably, at least to give you more choice as to where you land
(we have two FES Sharks and a Discus at our club).

It doesn't quite have the performance of a 29 or a JS-1, but then
it's not as expensive. If you're in gliding to win competitions you
might want to spend more, but if like most people, you're in it for
fun, then it might suit you.

The flaps are straightforward - landing flap is nothing like as
aggressive as say an early 20 (which I had prior to the Shark), and
the airbrakes are good.

I've found the support in the UK superb, but can't comment on
what the support would be like in the US - it's very dependent on
the agent, I think.

Paul