Forgiving sailplanes

Hi Derek

You are correct - I am amplifying the difference. As I said I actually
prefer the handling on the Cirrus. BUT - I learned, on the Cirrus, to
fly with a very light touch on the stick. There is virtually no force
feedback on pitch. Especially in some of the big rough thermals we get
here, you tend to get a wing dropping quite easily.

As Bob commented - it is a pilot skill thing. I can, and do, fly the
Cirrus quite close to the limit and get the best climb rates etc. When I
do that I am aware that the departure from controlled flight is quite
rapid - and if I am not paying attention I will have a wing drop.
Recovery is instant - just unload the wing. Smoothly approached there is
a distinct turbulent warning - especially as the wake hits the elevator.

So - the Cirrus is a precise aircraft to fly, but can be more work than
some others. e.g. you can't take your hand off the stick for more than a
second or so (Phugoid is divergent and the elevator is effectively
mounted on a gimbal), and will reliably reward ham fisted insensitive
control inputs with a spin. The point I was trying to make is that some
aircraft require more attention. Which can contribute to impaired
capability - which is less safe.

For what it is worth.

I have serial Std Cirrus number 57. Which is a little different - it was
imported by the Schempp agent specifically for the purpose of flying
records. So - It has lower washout on the tips, (standard on early models)
- the components (wings/fuselage etc) were selected at the factory for
being heavy.
- It has a tail wheel and is set up with the CG quite far aft. I have to
accept that as the heavy fuselage limits the amount of weight I can put
in the nose without exceeding max non-lifting weight with me in it.
- Said heroic early owners damaged both wingtips, and broke the fuselage
(twice) and elevator - so lots of repairs at various stages. Maybe she
is not 100% straight.
- Currently in the workshop getting the second paddles added to the
airbrakes and winglets to improve the low speed behaviour, and a
cosmetic make over to make her pretty again.

Bruce

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