FLAPS

Originally Posted by skysailor

The big kahuna's in the club are pretty adamant about purchasing a first glider without flaps. My question is: Are flaps that big a problem for a low time pilot and why?

To answer your questions: no, and I have no idea why they think so.

I bought my first glider (Mini-Nimbus) shortly before I took my checkride. I had far fewer hours than you. My very first flight in a flapped ship was after I passed my checkride and the insurance company allowed me to fly my own ship.

The flaps were a complete non-event. I was then and am still today much more concerned with remembering that I have retractable gear. The flaps help when you care to use them, but frankly, were never a bit of distraction from the "blue up/green down" aspects of flying.

Some folks here have spoken of getting in trouble with a positive flaps setting when too low on final. Trust me: if you are remotely paying attention, you will notice a distinct nose down attitude that tells you the flaps are set positive. Changing them to neutral will bring the nose up and also give you an instant but slight acceleration. Both of those are good if low on final.

If you are the sort who would be low on final and not think to adjust your flaps setting, perhaps flying is not the sport for you regardless what class plane you are flying. Furthermore, flaps allow you to always arrive a bit high, since you can shed altitude more quickly than some other ships.

Buy the best ship you can afford and learn to fly it well, whatever it is. And remember to have fun.

Steve