PIK 20B Flaps and Canopy Seals

Just found this discussion. For the canopy seal I fitted
some soft tubing of the right diameter in the slot
and connected up the pump as normal. The tube is held
in place by a secondary seal on top made of very soft
open cell foam with a sticky back which is sold in
diy shops as a draught excluder. There is no interference
with the closing or latching of the canopy and the
sideways motion on the hinge side has not wiped it
off.
In local soaring when speeds are lower I don't bother
to use the pump - only when going fast.

On the question of use of flaps on take off and landing,
I have put all my thoughts on my website at
http://www.zen37635.zen.co.uk/flap_system.html
You can also access this page from http://www.pik20.gliderpilot.ne
t/ and then choose Flap System

The only point I disagree with is trying to make a
two point landing. If you do this. the angle of attack
is too high and you will float and bounce all the way
down the field - especially if not very flat [tarmac
runway may let you get away with it].

I have been flying the PIK 20B since 1996 and I believe
it is a wonderful machine once you understand the differences.
Certainly I have made very short landings in small
fields where others have said they would not have been
able to do that in many popular gliders. On one occasion
I found a wire fence across the landing run but because
the tail was not on the ground I was able to turn through
almost 90 deg with rudder and miss the fence - inspite
of the ineffectiveness of a small rudder.
Keep the tail high to reduce the AOA until the speed
has bled/braked off and landing is easy.