First Glider

Bob,

Your old Ka-6E is stored in a hangar and still airworthy. However, the
current owner has not flown it since I sold it to him eight years ago.

Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/

"Bob Gibbons" wrote in message
...
On 07 Sep 2004 09:35:40 GMT, (OscarCVox) wrote:

... text deleted
Avoid wood. They are lovely to fly but you have to spend so much time and
money
keeping them in good condition they are not worth it.


Since this is a thread intended for those unfamilar with purchasing
and maintaining sailplanes, I cannot let this statement go
unchallenged.

Older wooden sailplanes are not as robust to mishandling as the newer
fiberglass gliders, and this might be a factor for a club operation.

However, for a personally owned sailplane, older wooden gliders are no
more difficult to keep in good flying condition than any other
sailplane that is given good care. I owned and flew a Ka-6E for half a
dozen years with no significant maintenance problems, and our club has
a pilot who has been flying an early 60's Slingsby Skylark 4 for the
past 30 years with no maintenance problems. Modern synthetic fabrics
can last for decades with proper storage of the sailplane.

Do not rule out a great flying (and very affordable) ship like the
Ka-6 or Skylark for worries about maintenance.

Bob