Flapped Glider Recommendations...

On Jan 8, 8:15 pm, "noel.wade" wrote:
OK, how's this for a switcheroo (hijacking my own thread!) - A couple
of people here stated that they thought I wouldn't see much of a
performance difference by going to a flapped ship in weak conditions.
A couple of local pilots with decades of experience have now also said
that. There's still a mental appeal to me in having a "complex"
glider - but if it'll get me a newer or nicer aircraft, I'm open to
the idea of a Standard-Class ship instead.

I've had a private email from someone suggesting an SZD-55 as a good
option (though I don't know if they'd be within my $30k budget limit).

Any other thoughts on what I could get in the Standard class for
around $25k - $30k? Priorities are still 38:1 minimum L/D, good weak-
weather performance (low sink-rate and/or great climb rate),
maneuverable/responsive in the air, and relatively easy to rig.

Honestly I haven't looked all that much... I'm not interested in old
beasts like the LS-1s or G102s or Standard Cirruses. A Libelle H-201,
eh (would probably go with a 301 at that point). How's the Pegasus in
light conditions? Any other weak-weather performers that folks would
recommend in the Standard Class?

Thanks a bunch for all the thoughts and advice!

--Noel

Hi Noel,

I live in Minnesota, not really known for its strong conditions. I
considered many of the sailplanes you did for my first ship and flew
to both coasts to look at a few of them. For example, I looked at a
Mosquito and an LS-1f. I ended up buying a Jantar Standard 2 simply
because it was by far in the best shape of the lot.

At 6 foot and 200 pounds you will fit fine in it. It is easy to rig
and the connections are easy to manipulate and verify. Airbrakes and
water hook up automatically. There is a single pin to align with a
rigging tool to pull the wings in. Wings are on the heavier side, but
fit ladies can manage the wingtips no problem. I typically rig faster
than others.

Like you, I worried a lot about weak-weather performance, especially
after I read the numbers in the sailplane directory. It turned out to
be a complete non-issue. Perhaps because the numbers are wrong! They
list a sink rate of 0.77 m/s or 151 ft/min at 52 kts. However this
sink rate is for the fully-ballasted condition with 150 liters of
water (10 pounds/ft**2 loading) The actual dry figures from the POH
are 0.60 m/s or 118 ft/min at 41 kts and 6.2 pounds/ft**2 loading.

Real world experience? I did my 50k (100k+ actually) on a day when a
well-piloted Ka-6E and another higher performing flapped ship landed
out. So it can't be that bad 'cause I am not that good!

Regarding glide, during my five hour, I flew for a long time with a
Mosquito. At best glide it was pretty even with the edge going to the
Mosquito.

It is tough as nails and parts are available too. Most are poly-
urethaned.

Anyway, hope this helps in your search. I'd go for the nicest
condition ship I could find.

/Adam