Wanted: SparrowHawk

Originally Posted by Bob Kuykendall

On Jul 25, 8:50*pm, Patrick McLaughlin
wrote:

It just so happens, I am selling mine.

I've seen this one. Nice rig, well-equipped. It probably has a nice o2
system, too.

Bob K.

Thx for the input Bob. I chatted with Patrick and he sounds like a great person as well.

Bb

On Jul 25, 2:09*pm, kd6veb wrote:
This means no registration so the FAA has no
records of any SparrowHawk operating under Part 103. Why Part 103 and
not experimental?

Remember my SparrowHawk is considered to be an "ultralight
vehicle" and not an aircraft.

Many tow operations don't realize their insurance is void when towing
an ultralight unpowered vehicle.

-Tom

On Jul 30, 8:16*pm, 5Z wrote:
On Jul 25, 2:09*pm, kd6veb wrote:

This means no registration so the FAA has no
records of any SparrowHawk operating under Part 103. Why Part 103 and
not experimental?
Remember my SparrowHawk is considered to be an "ultralight
vehicle" and not an aircraft.

Many tow operations don't realize their insurance is void when towing
an ultralight unpowered vehicle.

-Tom

This is an urban myth.

Richard

This is an urban myth.

Richard

Really? I'm pretty sure that Pat Costello told me this exactly at the
last SSA Convention. No N number, no insurance under the SSA Group
policy. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.

On Jul 31, 7:35*pm, Tony wrote:
This is an urban myth.

Richard

Really? *I'm pretty sure that Pat Costello told me this exactly at the
last SSA Convention. No N number, no insurance under the SSA Group
policy. *Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.

We have tow planes, insurance and we tow SparrowHawks. We are insured
when towing SparrowHawks.

The Bend Oregon Club, High Desert Soaring they have a tow plane. They
are insured when towing SparrowHawks.


Richard
www.craggyaero.com

On Jul 31, 10:48*pm, Richard wrote:
On Jul 31, 7:35*pm, Tony wrote:

This is an urban myth.

Richard

Really? *I'm pretty sure that Pat Costello told me this exactly at the
last SSA Convention. No N number, no insurance under the SSA Group
policy. *Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.

We have tow planes, insurance and we tow SparrowHawks. *We are insured
when towing SparrowHawks.

The Bend Oregon Club, *High Desert Soaring they have a tow plane. They
are insured when towing SparrowHawks.

Richardwww.craggyaero.com

are you insured under the SSA Group Policy?

On Jul 27, 8:05*pm, simple2code simple2code.
wrote:
JS;735865 Wrote:

I think Bert's been watching what Jim Payne's been up to in Golf
Charlie!
Top flight in the World on Saturday... 853k on the OLC at 109kph.
When asked on the radio if he was going back to flying a 1-26, Jim
responded "this is way more fun".
Jim

Yes. *I got the bug

--
simple2code

Yes, I too have the bug. In 2004 with my first time in Tehachapi, I
did about 468K in the Owens without much effort from Rosemont. I was
doing some of this in my HG back in the early 80s. However, this time
it was with much less anxiety, much more comfort. I wonder if I could
ever come up to the standards of Jim Payne??

On Jul 31, 8:00*am, Richard wrote:
On Jul 30, 8:16*pm, 5Z wrote:

On Jul 25, 2:09*pm, kd6veb wrote:

This means no registration so the FAA has no
records of any SparrowHawk operating under Part 103. Why Part 103 and
not experimental?
Remember my SparrowHawk is considered to be an "ultralight
vehicle" and not an aircraft.

Many tow operations don't realize their insurance is void when towing
an ultralight unpowered vehicle.

-Tom

This is an urban myth.

Richard

It's not that their insurance becomes void, rather they either think
is does or they are looking for an excuse to not tow the SparrowHawk.
In any event, the SparrowHawk flys just like any other standard class
ship, it's just lighter. This does not mean that it is any more
twitchy or particularly easy to over control, rather it is simply very
responsive to the pilots inputs. In addition, the moments of inertia
and general wing loadings are just about the same, ratio metrically,
to a standard class ship. The best way I can describe this is
something like going from a large comfortable sedan then jumping into
a small high performance sports car. I have had tows from several
different type of aircraft all over the West and in various
conditions. This has included lots of slack-ropes and what not's.
Additionally, the tows have been between 60 and 90 knots with out any
concern of over controlling or adverse results. The only time I had a
tow pilot question a tow was when he took a look at the weak-link and
proceeded to investigate. After an interview and a look over of the
bird, off we went. Our club (High Desert Soaring) has been towing
SparrowHawks since 2002 immediately after consulting with our
insurance company. I think it is Costello. Perhaps also, that sence I
am a current member of the USHGPA, I automatically have a $1M
liability insurance while I fly any aircraft that is legally under the
auspices of Part-103. The SparrowHawk is indeed this.

As far as thermaling goes, after 250 or so hours in mine, I can say
that it can allow you to take advantage of it's nimbleness and
dexterity with those firs-hose thermals, but in generally weak lift it
seems to not have real advantage over any other clean 15 meter ship.
Also remember, its the Pilot not the Polar.

On Jul 26, 7:34*am, flyingmr2 wrote:
Patrick,
* *Are you sure your ready to call it an upgrade and sell the
Sparrowhawk? *I know your almost new Ventus 2bx is a screaming machine
and looks as pretty as European nude art, *but are you really ready to
give up all the fun the Sparrowhawk has to offer? *The Ventus demands
more speed, where the Sparrowhawk just gives more fun. *Watching
Region 9 was great fun on Saturday and I sure hope your EYES get
better and your miss less turn points which should dramatically boost
your score proving what a fine racing machine the Ventus really is. *I
bet it was the scratches on the wing that slowed you down? * I still
feel very sad that I sold my Sparrowhawk as it was one of my most
difficult decisions I have ever made. *I guess it's just all part of
the sport. We buy, fly, enjoy, grow, dream faster, by faster, learn
more, dream faster, and buy faster once again until we die. *Life is
great!!!!

Dr. John Ackerson O.D.
"the eye doctor"
Heber City, Utah

John,

Thanx for the eye exam. I can see my scratches now. I am going to
change the designation from Ventus 2bx to bu, for beat-up. Perhaps I
don't deserve such a nice glider !! Every time I turn around, I find
yet another ding or scratch. I don't know if I am just noticing what
was there from the previous owner, or if I am doing these. The
SparrowHawk indeed seems quite a bit more scratch and ding resistant
over the traditional technologies. It can be easily fixed with
standard polyurethane automotive paint over the smooth carbon fiber
surfaces and does not have the aerodynamically whetted surfaces
sculptured-up with gel-coat. I am sure that someday all gliders will
be built this way.

On Jul 26, 7:34*am, flyingmr2 wrote:
Patrick,
* *Are you sure your ready to call it an upgrade and sell the
Sparrowhawk? *I know your almost new Ventus 2bx is a screaming machine
and looks as pretty as European nude art, *but are you really ready to
give up all the fun the Sparrowhawk has to offer? *The Ventus demands
more speed, where the Sparrowhawk just gives more fun. *Watching
Region 9 was great fun on Saturday and I sure hope your EYES get
better and your miss less turn points which should dramatically boost
your score proving what a fine racing machine the Ventus really is. *I
bet it was the scratches on the wing that slowed you down? * I still
feel very sad that I sold my Sparrowhawk as it was one of my most
difficult decisions I have ever made. *I guess it's just all part of
the sport. We buy, fly, enjoy, grow, dream faster, by faster, learn
more, dream faster, and buy faster once again until we die. *Life is
great!!!!

Dr. John Ackerson O.D.
"the eye doctor"
Heber City, Utah

Yea, I know the SparrowHawk is (or can be) actually more fun. However,
the Boss sez it's either the Ventus or the SparrowHawk. And being that
I purchased it with the understanding that the SparrowHawk will be
going, I have to make good on my word. Besides, it would be better to
let someone else fly it rather than have it sit in the box. Perhaps
this person will do better at records that I. After all, I am visually
handicapped, ha. ha. and really do not have the competitive mentality.
The Ventus, in my view, is much more like the big sister to the
SparrowHawk.