1-26 for first glider, or not?

I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). 20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

On Nov 12, 8:36*am, tstock wrote:
I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. *Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. *It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. *Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). *20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. *My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? *My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? *If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

The 1-26 was designed for people like you. They are a little
expensive for the performance but come with a great support network
and a great community. Don't worry, after reading the last issue of
Soaring I wanted to buy a 1-26 too. My ever practical wife starts
asking me if that would be a step up from the Cherokee II (same
performance) and why I would spend a bunch of money to have a glider
that is no better than the one I already have. Only answer I could
muster was so that I could fly the 1-26 contest! I still don't think
she is convinced...

Summary: A great choice in my opinion for a first glider.

The 1-26 was designed for people like you. *They are a little
expensive for the performance but come with a great support network
and a great community. *Don't worry, after reading the last issue of
Soaring I wanted to buy a 1-26 too. *My ever practical wife starts
asking me if that would be a step up from the Cherokee II (same
performance) and why I would spend a bunch of money to have a glider
that is no better than the one I already have. *Only answer I could
muster was so that I could fly the 1-26 contest! *I still don't think
she is convinced...

Summary: A great choice in my opinion for a first glider.

Your wife sounds a lot like mine. My wife actually emailed me at work
asking "Hey, what was that glider that was in your magazine? A
Schwhaaat? A one something? How much do they cost?"

Apparently she had read the part in the magazine about it having a
good safety record and that it's very easy to land in small spaces and
that had made an impression on her enough that she had been thinking
about it and our budget. She does not fly, and is not interested, so
it was interesting that she asked me about it...

-tom

On the other end of the scale.....if your plan is to eventually move
up the performance ladder....avoid the 1-26. The 1-26 is a specific
loved glider that borders on thumb screws and bamboo torture. If
you're the type of guy that has been driving the same VW since college
and loves how that old electric saw still works even though it sparks
enough to weld, then ya...the 1-26 is for you.
A tough find if you're patience would be the 1-34. It will cost you
double but give you more joy. You can park it outside like the 26 and
after you put a 1000 hours on it, get all your money back.
The 1-26 is a learning utility glider that comes with a group of
radicals that...and this is where they excel....are much friendlier
and easy going and like landings as much as the tows.
You will never see the boundaries of soaring from a 1-26. The key to
that will always be L/D.
I burned my Nov. edition. Had a Cuba Libre with it. Bacardi..Black
R

On Nov 12, 10:48*am, hretting wrote:
On the other end of the scale.....if your plan is to eventually move
up the performance ladder....avoid the 1-26. The 1-26 is a specific
loved glider that borders on thumb screws and bamboo torture. If
you're the type of guy that has been driving the same VW since college
and loves how that old electric saw still works even though it sparks
enough to weld, then ya...the 1-26 is for you.
A tough find if you're patience would be the 1-34. It will cost you
double but give you more joy. You can park it outside like the 26 and
after you put a 1000 hours on it, get all your money back.
The 1-26 is a learning utility glider that comes with a group of
radicals that...and this is where they excel....are much friendlier
and easy going and like landings as much as the tows.
You will never see the boundaries of soaring from a 1-26. The key to
that will always be L/D.
I burned my Nov. edition. Had a Cuba Libre with it. Bacardi..Black
R

I know of three former, including two recent World Team members that
were former 1-26 drivers. I know that when they talk of their flights
and experiences in the 1-26, they do it with a smiles, laughs and a
continuing bond to both the bird and the community of pilots (read
personalities) who fly them. One of these three even won the
Barringer Trophy for the longest unhandicapped straight out flight in
a calendar year, just like your great winning flight in the Discus 2
last year. So R, I must disagree. It's a great teaching machine for
those who want to learn a lot about thermals, persistence, landouts in
small fields and humility, all while providing the satisfaction of
accomplishment in low performance, through badges, records and contest
showings. Yep, contest showings. 1-26s have placed high in Regionals
too.

You can always move to glass but I would encourage anyone to fly the
1-26 for a while too. Then you can look back someday with smiles,
laughs and experience, as we do. Or, you can keep it and build on
your accomplishments like Ron Schwartz and many others.

7K

Well 7K....he lives along the east coast of central Fl. where I flew a
club 1-26 for years struggling to make it back to the airport through
the marine air, or not being able to reach the soarable conditions
while others were having a ball. I suppose he could ridge soar on the
300' high garbage dump along I-95.
My advice remains..... the 1-26 was created as a utilty glider to give
minimal results. They made a bunch of them. Sugar coating it to create
some soaring holiday is bad advice to Jim.
And finally, every world champion and Barringer Trophy winner started
off in crap, then they soloed, and then......
The 1-26 CAN be fun, when owned by a club or someone else. I sense Jim
is hungry for something better. The VW is rusty.
R

On Nov 13, 2:33*pm, hretting wrote:
Well 7K....he lives along the east coast of central Fl. where I flew a
club 1-26 for years struggling to make it back to the airport through
the marine air, or not being able to reach the soarable conditions
while others were having a ball. I suppose he could ridge soar on the

I meant east coast if the USA (west central FL). But I'm not sure it
makes much difference


-tom

On Nov 12, 7:52*am, Tony wrote:
On Nov 12, 8:36*am, tstock wrote:





I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. *Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. *It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. *Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). *20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. *My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? *My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? *If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

The 1-26 was designed for people like you. *They are a little
expensive for the performance but come with a great support network
and a great community. *Don't worry, after reading the last issue of
Soaring I wanted to buy a 1-26 too. *My ever practical wife starts
asking me if that would be a step up from the Cherokee II (same
performance) and why I would spend a bunch of money to have a glider
that is no better than the one I already have. *Only answer I could
muster was so that I could fly the 1-26 contest! *I still don't think
she is convinced...

Summary: A great choice in my opinion for a first glider.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Tony,

Don't discount flying in a 1-26 contest yet, They have been known to
let simliar performance gliders fly with them as Guests. I think you
would have a lot of fun flying with them, probably learn a lot as
well.

Brian
Formerly owned and rebuilt #294
Now wwn an HP16T.
CFIIG/ASEL

On Nov 12, 10:40*am, Brian wrote:
On Nov 12, 7:52*am, Tony wrote:





On Nov 12, 8:36*am, tstock wrote:

I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. *Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. *It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. *Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). *20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. *My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? *My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? *If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

The 1-26 was designed for people like you. *They are a little
expensive for the performance but come with a great support network
and a great community. *Don't worry, after reading the last issue of
Soaring I wanted to buy a 1-26 too. *My ever practical wife starts
asking me if that would be a step up from the Cherokee II (same
performance) and why I would spend a bunch of money to have a glider
that is no better than the one I already have. *Only answer I could
muster was so that I could fly the 1-26 contest! *I still don't think
she is convinced...

Summary: A great choice in my opinion for a first glider.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Tony,

Don't discount flying in a 1-26 contest yet, They have been known to
let simliar performance gliders fly with them as Guests. I think you
would have a lot of fun flying with them, probably learn a lot as
well.

Brian
Formerly owned and rebuilt #294
Now wwn an HP16T.
CFIIG/ASEL- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

True, but it just wouldn't be the same if I didn't have a 1-26. I'd
have to stay out of the traditional massive start thermal picture and
stuff I have no doubt at all that I would have a lot of fun.

On Nov 12, 8:36*am, tstock wrote:
I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. *Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. *It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. *Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). *20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. *My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? *My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? *If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

If your budget is 6K, then you are limited to a 1-26 or old wood.
A 1-26 is easy to sell and get your money out of. Old wood isn't.
Go with the 1-26. Even if after a year you want something different,
it will be easy to sell.
Make sure you get one with a good trailer and good fabric. Pay more if
you have to. If you
have to do work to it, your ROI will go down rapidly when it's time to
sell.

Brian