Beginner questions about buying a sailplane...

"vic20owner" wrote in message
...

Lastly, are there any specific gliders one should avoid as a first
used glider? (such as homebuilt kit planes, etc)?

Buying a series of "wrong" gliders as a way of figuring out what you
want and discovering what fits your style of flying is an expensive and
complicated way to fly! Assuming that you have options near where you live,
consider renting for at least a year after the end of your primary training.
That year would be a great time to vacation at some of the better soaring
sites and get checked out. The result will give you a sort "post grad"
training and expose you in a variety of equipment and a variety of ideas.

Vaughn

At 17:55 05 May 2009, vaughn wrote:

"vic20owner" wrote in message
...

Lastly, are there any specific gliders one should avoid as a first
used glider? (such as homebuilt kit planes, etc)?

Buying a series of "wrong" gliders as a way of figuring out what
you

want and discovering what fits your style of flying is an expensive and
complicated way to fly! Assuming that you have options near where you
live,
consider renting for at least a year after the end of your primary
training.
That year would be a great time to vacation at some of the better soaring

sites and get checked out. The result will give you a sort "post grad"

training and expose you in a variety of equipment and a variety of
ideas.

Vaughn
The vast majority of a gliders existance is usualy spent in a trailer.
After the glider itself the condition of the trailer and fittings can be a
major area of problems neglect to examine this at your peril!!!

If you don't have a hangar, then you will be assembling and
disassembling each time you fly. Make sure you know the effort
involved in putting the ship together. I know two guys who
bought a Phoebus in partnership, only to sell it the next season
due to it being an absolute bear to assemble. A general rule is
that the easier a ship goes together, the more it flies. Russia's,
Libelle's and PW5's almost fall together. You can get a LAK12
with almost twice the L/D for the same price, but watch your
friends scatter when you open the box.

Brian

At 18:30 05 May 2009, Ian Burgin wrote:
At 17:55 05 May 2009, vaughn wrote:

"vic20owner" wrote in message
news:0b8eb208-90ef-4146-a7f3-
...

Lastly, are there any specific gliders one should avoid as a
first
used glider? (such as homebuilt kit planes, etc)?

Buying a series of "wrong" gliders as a way of figuring
out what
you want

Brian Bange wrote:
You can get a LAK12
with almost twice the L/D for the same price, but watch your
friends scatter when you open the box.

Or you can purchase a LAK-12 with PU finish with proper rigging aids
such that it is easily assembled by one man. Then have a good set of
full covers (such as Jaxida) and leave the ship assembled during soaring
season. Upon arrival at the airport you are "ready to fly" in under 5
minutes.

Yes. I have exactly that ship with that setup for sale. ;-)

Regards,

-Doug

p.s. the LAK-12 is not a beginner's sailplane, though it is easy to fly.

At 17:55 05 May 2009, vaughn wrote:

"vic20owner" wrote in message
...

Lastly, are there any specific gliders one should avoid as a first
used glider? (such as homebuilt kit planes, etc)?

Buying a series of "wrong" gliders as a way of figuring out what
you

want and discovering what fits your style of flying is an expensive and
complicated way to fly! Assuming that you have options near where you
live,
consider renting for at least a year after the end of your primary
training.
That year would be a great time to vacation at some of the better soaring

sites and get checked out. The result will give you a sort "post grad"

training and expose you in a variety of equipment and a variety of
ideas.

Vaughn



Vaughn,

First buy a glider with good handling qualities - avoid early glass ships
with poor airbrakes.

Buy a glider that is popular with glider pilots ASW19b , cirrus, etc
My advise would be a GROB ASTIR CS .. good handling .. indestructable Gel
coat, most have original 1977 gel. Roomy cockpit and good performance.

As a previous post stated Beware the dodgy trailer!! if its apig to rig
then you will not be getting it out very often! If possible look for a
Lift Top Trailer ...Komet .. Cobra ..Swan etc these are the best for ease
of rigging.

Hope this helps,

Paul

In message , Paul Goulding
writes
snip

Buy a glider that is popular with glider pilots ASW19b , cirrus, etc
My advise would be a GROB ASTIR CS .. good handling .. indestructable Gel
coat, most have original 1977 gel. Roomy cockpit and good performance.

The concrete swan. Watch people develop bad backs & hernias when you
want help rigging it, unless you have one of those one-man rig devices
that take most of the weight!
Snip
--
Surfer!
Email to: ramwater at uk2 dot net