Discus verus Discus 2, LS8, ASW 28

I've flown my 28 against well flown D2's and LS8's. My feeling is
that, at the same wing loading, the 28 has a very slight disadvantage
in climb over the D2 in weak conditions but runs better than either at
high speed.

There's not enough difference in performance to influence the choice.
Other factors may be more important.

I chose the 28 over the LS8 for cockpit design, decent sized main gear
and wheel, and good wheel brake. I'll probably never buy a Ventus or
Discus because the rear visibility for tall pilots is appalling.

Andy

Oh, but how does the oringinal Discus or for that matter the ASW 24 go
against the newer offerings? Do new glass have more performance?

On Oct 22, 9:18 pm, "Andy" wrote:
I've flown my 28 against well flown D2's and LS8's. My feeling is
that, at the same wing loading, the 28 has a very slight disadvantage
in climb over the D2 in weak conditions but runs better than either at
high speed.

There's not enough difference in performance to influence the choice.
Other factors may be more important.

I chose the 28 over the LS8 for cockpit design, decent sized main gear
and wheel, and good wheel brake. I'll probably never buy a Ventus or
Discus because the rear visibility for tall pilots is appalling.

Andy

Enough already!

How about the DG-303?



Jack

Jack wrote:
Enough already!

How about the DG-303?

You asking or suggesting?

Marc

Marc Ramsey wrote:
Jack wrote:
Enough already!

How about the DG-303?

You asking or suggesting?


I'd like to see the DG-303 included in these comparisons.


Jack

Jack wrote:
Marc Ramsey wrote:
Jack wrote:
Enough already!

How about the DG-303?

You asking or suggesting?

I'd like to see the DG-303 included in these comparisons.

I owned a DG-303 Acro and raced it in standard class in a couple of
regionals. I've also flown a Discus 1 and an ASW-24 on a number of
occasions. The three gliders are almost indistinguishable in performance
at equivalent wing loadings. I could usually outclimb a 24, and hold my
own with a Discus. Above 80 knots (wet), a 24 was noticeably faster, I
could usually stay with a Discus. In my opinion, the Discus is the
nicest handling of the three, and the DG is a bit easier to fly well
than the 24. The DG is the most comfortable of the three for me (5'11,
200 lbs, long legs), and has the best visibility. The gelcoat on the
303 is a lot better quality than what was used on the Discus and 24.
You can get a used 303 for about the cost of a Discus or 24 that is
twice the age.

Where the newer standard class ships shine is at the higher end of the
speed range, in 90+ knot head to head runs with D2s between thermals,
I'd usually end up at the next one several hundred feet below. The
difference was a bit less dramatic with the LS8 and ASW-28. I never
felt any performance disadvantage at all relative to the Discus 1 or ASW-24.

Marc

Marc Ramsey wrote:
Jack wrote:
Marc Ramsey wrote:
Jack wrote:
Enough already!

How about the DG-303?

You asking or suggesting?

I'd like to see the DG-303 included in these comparisons.

I owned a DG-303 Acro and raced it in standard class in a couple of
regionals. I've also flown a Discus 1 and an ASW-24 on a number of
occasions. The three gliders are almost indistinguishable in performance
at equivalent wing loadings. Marc

My sense after flying wingtip-to-wingtip on ridge and thermal with all
of these ships (excpept the 303) over several years is that the
variation in individual ships is way larger than the theoretical
performance variation. In other words, there are probably some D2s
that are WAY better than some LS8s; conversely, there are some LS8s
that are way better than some D2s. Things like wing smoothness
(Monday gliders), sealing, and CG seem to be much bigger factors than
the basic aircraft.

As an example, a friend of mine recently redid his ASW-27 wings; he
found waviness approaching 6 thou in several areas. He profiled and
smoothed down to less than 3 thou everywhere. If you believe
Johnson's tests, 4 thou or so is the maximum acceptable to prevent
peformance degredation.

I will admit that it seems to me like a well flown D2a is the best of
the bunch at cruise and climb (dolphin) flying, especially at high
speed. However, over a long contest with some weak weather thrown in,
I feel like my LS8 is just as good if not a little bit better. Then
again, I might be biased :-)

Erik Mann
LS8-18 P3