Std. Libelle vs Club Libelle

On Fri, 16 Aug 2019 23:53:00 -0700, larsvanbreemen00 wrote:

I was wondering if there is a big difference between the Std. Libelle
and Club Libelle in things as performance, thermalling and comfort for
long flights.

I have a 201 Libelle and a friend at the club has a 205 Club Libelle:

- Club libelle has a bigger cockpit. 201s are generally a long enough
cockpit for most pilots but too narrow for some (specially those with
wide shoulders.

- Club Libelle is a fixed undercarriage with a rather tail main wheel:
this one was modified to raise the main and lower the tail-wheel last
winter to improve take-off behaviour. That's an approved mod.

- not much performance difference.

- much better rear field of view from the 201

- 205 has a hinged canopy.
201 is a lift-off canopy.

- 205 has better TE airbrakes

- both have the same single pin wing rigging system (single central pin)
and the Clubby owners tell me rigging is difficult with the wing high
up under the turtle-back behind the cockpit. 201 rigging is much easier
because everything is out in the open behind the seat. Just like a
Kestrel.

- on the 201 all controls except ailerons self-connect. Connecting the
ailerons is straightforward and easy.

- Haven't rigged the 205 Clubby so can't comment except to say that its
ailerons must self connect because there's no obvious access for manual
connection of ailerons and brakes.

I'm off the the field now, so can check that - if I remember!