First Glider LS4

Jeff Runciman wrote:

Thank you again for your advise. Any more thoughts
on the LS4? Any concerns with the age?

The LS 4 is one of the most docile gliders I've ever flown. In some
European clubs it's even used as first solo training glider! The age is
no factor, the shape it's in is. Later LS4s have authomatic hook ups,
early ones don't, this should be reflected in the price.

The LS 4 has two negative points: One is the bad surface quality.
Depending on the use, they need a refinish rather soon. (In a club
environment after 15 years or so.) So take a careful look. The second is
the wheel brake. The wheel brake is a joke. This can be a problem if you
have to outland in a short field.

Stefan

The wheel brake in my LS4 was also ineffective at first. Turns out all
I needed to do was a minor adjustment, and then you could put the
glider on it's nose. Secondly, there is also the possibility of
having the brakes modified (I believe by a motorcycle shop in
California) that will make the drum brakes very effective.
The LS4 was my first glider and a great one too. I couldn't have
asked for better handling and docile stall characteristics. It's
strong as hell, and the manually connected ailerons and spoilers were
a snap. In fact it was easier and faster to assemble my LS4 than my
second glider which was a Ventus that had automatic control hookups.
You can't go wrong with a well cared for LS4.


Stefan wrote in message ...
Jeff Runciman wrote:

Thank you again for your advise. Any more thoughts
on the LS4? Any concerns with the age?

The LS 4 is one of the most docile gliders I've ever flown. In some
European clubs it's even used as first solo training glider! The age is
no factor, the shape it's in is. Later LS4s have authomatic hook ups,
early ones don't, this should be reflected in the price.

The LS 4 has two negative points: One is the bad surface quality.
Depending on the use, they need a refinish rather soon. (In a club
environment after 15 years or so.) So take a careful look. The second is
the wheel brake. The wheel brake is a joke. This can be a problem if you
have to outland in a short field.

Stefan

I've been flying an LS-4 for the past two years. Everything said about
it in this forum is true -- it's a great first glider, responsive,
forgiving, with excellent thermalling and Xcountry qualities.

There's also a very good owners forum on Yahoo with lots of people
offering helpful advice:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/LS-gliders/

Negative points:

Surface: Mine has some gelcoat degrading near the wing roots but I
very much doubt if it affects performance much at all. I briefly
considered refinishing (expensive) but then decided to live with it.

Wheel brake: Admittedly not great, but there are ways to deal with it.
Search for the brake discussion in the Yahoo forum.

Tail wheel: A much more annoying problem in my estimation. In American
versions of the LS-4, a wheel the size of an in-line skate wheel is
mounted on a rubberized skid. DON'T ATTEMPT TO PUSH THE GLIDER
BACKWARD WITHOUT THE TAIL DOLLY. The skate wheel will swivvel sideways
causing all kinds of problems, the most serious of which is that the
glider may run off the runway on tow unless the tail wheel is lined up
carefully. I finally replaced the skate wheel with a decent sized tail
wheel, and all the problems disappeared.

Main wheel gas strut: When the gear is extended, it's locked in place
by a gas strut. These struts weaken after a few years of use and must
be replaced. Otherwise the gear may collapse on landing or (as mine
did) on takeoff. By all means make this your first maintenance check
if you buy an LS-4. The replacement strut is not particularly
expensive, and it's a hellofalot cheaper than a belly job. Again,
check the Yahoo forum for advice.

Please don't be put off by these negative points. Every glider has its
defects, but the LS-4 is a glider to love.