Flap settings for Dummies

Frank,

As you fly the glider more, you'll get a feel for the best flap
position the way Bill describes. The chart in the flight manual is the
best starting point, I used to use little laminated versions for
different wing loadings for my Ventus 2C, but after time found myself
just going by the feel of the handle.

Before you do any of that though make sure your weight and balance is
current.

~ted/2NO

ps don't use the L setting for landing unless you really have to. It
puts excess stress on the mylar seals.

Tuno wrote:
Frank,

As you fly the glider more, you'll get a feel for the best flap
position the way Bill describes. The chart in the flight manual is the
best starting point, I used to use little laminated versions for
different wing loadings for my Ventus 2C, but after time found myself
just going by the feel of the handle.

Before you do any of that though make sure your weight and balance is
current.

~ted/2NO

ps don't use the L setting for landing unless you really have to. It
puts excess stress on the mylar seals.

pps: practice with the L setting enough to be good at it. A landing in a
short field isn't the place to practice. Mylar can be replaced in a few
hours, but even a simple repair might take weeks.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

On Mar 29, 10:36*pm, Tuno wrote:
Frank,

As you fly the glider more, you'll get a feel for the best flap
position the way Bill describes. The chart in the flight manual is the
best starting point, I used to use little laminated versions for
different wing loadings for my Ventus 2C, but after time found myself
just going by the feel of the handle.

Before you do any of that though make sure your weight and balance is
current.

~ted/2NO

ps don't use the L setting for landing unless you really have to. It
puts excess stress on the mylar seals.

Ted,

Thanks for the info. I'm afraid my w/b isn't current, but that is
because I spent quite a bit of time last year moving the CG around
(slowly and carefully) until it felt right. I plan to verify this
with formal w/b this year at the first contest that offers it ;-)

Hmm thanks for the tip about the 'L' setting: I have started using L
for thermalling in strong thermals, in the belief that it allows me to
core better, and to use no more than +2 for landings. If the mylar
seal is being overstressed any time the flaps are in 'L', I may want
to reconsider its use at all.

Frank (TA)

Properly applied mylar will not be affected by use of high positive
flap settings. I have had 3 gliders now with trailing edge dive
breaks that have flaps of +60 or more at full extension without any
noticeable deterioration to mylar integrity. The 304cz series was
shipped with mylar like this from the factory and I have never heard
of any problems except normal 5-7 year replacement cycles. If the
mylar comes off it just means you can put it back on properly.

2C

On Mar 29, 10:44 pm, Frank wrote:
On Mar 29, 10:36 pm, Tuno wrote:

Frank,

As you fly the glider more, you'll get a feel for the best flap
position the way Bill describes. The chart in the flight manual is the
best starting point, I used to use little laminated versions for
different wing loadings for my Ventus 2C, but after time found myself
just going by the feel of the handle.

Before you do any of that though make sure your weight and balance is
current.

~ted/2NO

ps don't use the L setting for landing unless you really have to. It
puts excess stress on the mylar seals.

Ted,

Thanks for the info. I'm afraid my w/b isn't current, but that is
because I spent quite a bit of time last year moving the CG around
(slowly and carefully) until it felt right. I plan to verify this
with formal w/b this year at the first contest that offers it ;-)

Hmm thanks for the tip about the 'L' setting: I have started using L
for thermalling in strong thermals, in the belief that it allows me to
core better, and to use no more than +2 for landings. If the mylar
seal is being overstressed any time the flaps are in 'L', I may want
to reconsider its use at all.

Frank (TA)

On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:44:45 -0700 (PDT), Frank
wrote:

Hmm thanks for the tip about the 'L' setting: I have started using L
for thermalling in strong thermals, in the belief that it allows me to
core better, and to use no more than +2 for landings. If the mylar
seal is being overstressed any time the flaps are in 'L', I may want
to reconsider its use at all.

Don't worry about overstressing the mylar tape - this is not going to
happen. Mylar tape even survives on ASW-20s with its 55-degree
setting...
Bye
Andreas