Another first glider query.

On Jan 9, 5:37*pm, Andy wrote:
On Jan 8, 10:20*pm, Timinnc
wrote:

All my training in a G103. Looking for a decent glass ship under $20k.
Looking seriously at 15b or Jantar Std 2 or Standard 41a. Any big
differences between the Jantar choices? I get that the 15b will likely
climb better in weak lift but the Jantars will dust the 15b when XC. I
am 6'1" and have long arms, so a Jantar should not be a problem for me.
I know I can't go wrong with the 15b but there is the gelcoat issue...
and if I want to get into XC any time soon the Jantar will do better.
Comes down to condition of plane and trailer for what can be purchased
under $20k. So an opinion about any and all of the planes mentioned
would be good with emphasis on the performance difference regarding the
Jantar 41a (Standard) and 48-1 (Standard 2). THANKS

--
Timinnc

Never flew the -2 but it was reputed to have better performance than
the original Jantar Std. * The (original) Jantar Std was my first
glass ship (leased not owned) and I did all my Gold and Diamond
flights in it. *I didn't realize how much of a dog it was until I
bought my ASW-19b! *Of course had I not had the opportunity of the
very low cost lease I may never have got into XC and contest flying.
Any glider is better than no glider and I learned a lot in it.

BTW the trailer on that glider sucked but it had no influence on how
often I flew, or where I went. *I didn't know any better.

Andy (GY)

There are those who will say that "serious" and "Jantar" shouldn't be
in the same sentence! However, my first ship was a Jantar (the 19m
Jantar-1), which has about the same fuselage as the 15m ships, if I'm
not mistaken. It flew pretty well and I had some great cross-country
flights while I owned it. Some caveats -the wings are heavy and take
some skill to rig. The cockpit is quite roomy, but the ergonomics are
not on par with the latest designs. Older Jantars have experienced
some play in control linkages, so make sure you have access to spares
(some of them were odd sizes).

The biggest problem I had was an absolutely crappy home- made trailer
(basically a cardboard box on wheels). I can't emphasize enough how
much a good trailer is worth!

Mike

The trailer is a critical thing to look at. Fitting in the glider will
also be critical. Flying wise, the German ships will be lighter and
more harmonious on the controls. The Jantar 2 is a good runner and
honest to fly. The controls are a little heavy but not bad. With some
fine tuning the cockpit can be one of the most comfortable of all
gliders. Rear visibility in the Jantar is very good. A Jantar 2 won 4
of 9 days at the US Sports Nationals last year and had many 15 m ships
following it around on course. It runs well in the 75 to 80 knot
range.