Handling characteristics of 18 (and 15) meter sailplanes???

"NoSpam" wrote in message ...
I am trying to get honest and accurate information on the general handling
characteristics of a couple of 18 meter class sailplanes. Here is what I am
interested in. I would appreciate some honest feedback, preferably backed
up by some experience in the sailplane that you would like to give feedback
on, rather than rumor and "speculation"... Also, I am not a competition
pilot, and am more interested in leisure fun flying. Thus, all out speed
and climbing performance is not as important as handling characteristics and
the "fun factor"...

I am most interested in:

* DG-808B
* Ventus-2c & Ventus-2cx
* ASH 26

and possibly:

* ASW 28-18 and 28 (15 m)
* LS8
* Discus 2 (15 M)
* ASW 27B

Your thoughts and feedback will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Cameron


I´ve flown LS8 (15m), Discus-2b (winglets) and Ventus-2c (15 and 18m).

LS8 is the best, light and effective controls, especially the
ailerons. Quiet cockpit but a tight fit for me (194cm). Crappy
quality, gelcoat goes partly yellow in 3-5 years (wittnessed this in
every LS8 i have seen. And i´ve seen dozens).

LS is (very) closely followed by the Ventus-2c with 15m tips.
Comparable controls but control harmony changes with the different
flap settings (of course). Acceleration is breathtaking and makes you
glide too fast with a huge grin on your face. Noisy cockpit (the new
c/bx/cx-cockpit trademark). 18m tips makes aileron bit more
ineffective and heavy. Still the glider is from different world
compared to older Ventus.

Discus-2b: Little bit slower/heavier ailerons than LS. Very harmonious
though. Flying this glider makes you feel it has 16 meters span. Calm
and steady, note that you may actually prefer this. Climbs better in
turbulent thermals and leaves LS on high speed pull-up, in normal
flying no difference. Comfortable cockpit but the noise is pain in the
ass (and ears). Bit more diffult to land than LS, I think the wing is
higher and landing gear taller so you don´t get much of cushion
between ground and wing. Less airbrakes at round-out solves this but
makes longer landing distances.

Choosing from the gliders you listed, you propably can´t go wrong. DG
aileron heaviness is the thing I would check before buying it (i don´t
have any first hand knowledge, just heard few reports).

Hope this helps,

rk