1-26 for first glider, or not?

Get in a partnership in a decent glass ship.



Preferrably a partner with a job that requires them to work on sunny
weekends.

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.

Hello Tom,
The 1-26 is a good glider, but do you live in an area that can
provide enough lift to fly this glider? If you were in the eastern
Oklahoma area, I would say, don't get one. You will never
leave the airport area or if you do get away, there is a very
good chance that you will never return. If you can fly where
there is good lift, ridge, wave or thermal, then get a 1-26.
Have you flown a 1-26? If not, go sit in one for a couple hours
and see how you fit.

Where is your flying field and are there other 1-26 flying there?

I would recommend that you find a partner or two to get a
better glider. Whatever you get, make sure that it comes with
a good trailer so that it will be easier for for your ground crew
can retrieve you from your landouts.

Randy

I would recommend that you find a partner or two to get a
better glider. Whatever you get, make sure that it comes with
a good trailer so that it will be easier for for your ground crew
can retrieve you from your landouts.

Randy

This is VERY GOOD advice. Start in a small syndicate. That way you share the
costs round. Better ship, better clocks, better chute etc. ALSO you have a
bunch of guys who have a vested interest in retrieving you, which you may
need in your early cross country days! I had shares in two gliders
consecutively (Olympia 2b and Olympia 463) and it worked out pretty well. We
had a kind of rota for who got first go every weekend and we got along just
fine. Did my Silver height and 5 hrs in them. and then moved on to somethng
a bit more slippy for the distance.

Alistair
long retired instructor

On Nov 12, 9:36*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

Excellent first glider. Fun , inexpensive, safe,forgiving of mistakes,
easy to repair, and likely to hold value.
Fly for a few years, then move on after you gain experience- or keep
it.
We have 3 in our familiy and one in the barn as a project.
Don't let the performance snobs twist your brain.
UH

On Nov 12, 9:36*am, tstock wrote:
I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum...

SNIP

We have a few 1-26's at our club and often can’t fly them because it's
too windy. Our club rule is to never fly a 1-26 downwind. From time
to time someone vows to try landing one backwards against a headwind.
As well, our cloudbase is usually low so a 1-26 doesn’t have a good
enough L/D to get you to the next thermal.

If there was usually less than 5 knots of wind and a decent cloudbase
they would be a lot of fun.

agl

On Nov 12, 2:48*pm, AGL wrote:
On Nov 12, 9:36*am, tstock wrote:

I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum...

SNIP

We have a few 1-26's at our club and often can’t fly them because it's
too windy. Our club rule is to never fly a 1-26 downwind. * From time
to time someone vows to try landing one backwards against a headwind.
As well, our cloudbase is usually low so a 1-26 doesn’t have a good
enough L/D to get you to the next thermal.

If there was usually less than 5 knots of wind and a decent cloudbase
they would be a lot of fun.

agl

get the trailer set up. if you are spending all your effort trying to
stay upwind in a 1-26 I can see why you don't like. Little known
secret of low performance soaring: All the FUN is downwind of the
airport.

On Nov 12, 2:59*pm, Tony wrote:
On Nov 12, 2:48*pm, AGL wrote:





On Nov 12, 9:36*am, tstock wrote:

I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum...

SNIP

We have a few 1-26's at our club and often can’t fly them because it's
too windy. Our club rule is to never fly a 1-26 downwind. * From time
to time someone vows to try landing one backwards against a headwind.
As well, our cloudbase is usually low so a 1-26 doesn’t have a good
enough L/D to get you to the next thermal.

If there was usually less than 5 knots of wind and a decent cloudbase
they would be a lot of fun.

agl

get the trailer set up. if you are spending all your effort trying to
stay upwind in a 1-26 I can see why you don't like. *Little known
secret of low performance soaring: All the FUN is downwind of the
airport.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Don't discount "old wood" I am having a ball with my Ka-6, and they do
come up for sale on a regular basis. $6000 should buy you a pretty
nice Ka-6, and while it isn't a lead sled it will go upwind. On the
plus side it's still a floater, so if you live in the midwest it's
hard to beat. Remember the Ka-6 was the hot standard class ship in the
late 50's and early 60's.

Pete

Ka-6Cr

On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:42:00 -0800, vontresc wrote:

Don't discount "old wood" I am having a ball with my Ka-6, and they do
come up for sale on a regular basis. $6000 should buy you a pretty nice
Ka-6, and while it isn't a lead sled it will go upwind. On the plus side
it's still a floater, so if you live in the midwest it's hard to beat.
Remember the Ka-6 was the hot standard class ship in the late 50's and
early 60's.

I've never heard anybody say bad things about the Ka-6.

One of our guys has a very nice one with a few decent toys on the panel.
It has an excellent trailer too, not that he lands out often. He's had it
for 12 years and done several 300s in it, almost always off the winch.
Thats in UK conditions - moderate breeze, cloud base 4000-5000ft or
6000ft if you're lucky and thermals in the 3 - 5 kt band.

Its on my list of gliders I'd like to fly some time.


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gregorie. | Essex, UK
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