World Championship gliders

Originally Posted by John Cochrane[_3_]

We have excellent one-design racing right now. It's called 15 meter class. V2 or ASW27, take your pick. Performance basically indistinguishable, less than 5 points per day, and the variation across gliders of one make is far greater than the variation across designs. That's especially true now as they get older and need some TLC. No new production, so they are going to be competitive for decades. And there is a huge supply of them sitting around..

Looking at the worlds, ability to fly in atrocious weather seems a lot more important than a centimeter or so of cockpit width and a point of LD.

John Cochrane

A bit of sense, must agree

At 15:20 08 August 2014, John Cochrane wrote:

We have excellent one-design racing right now. It's called 15 meter
class.
=
V2 or ASW27, take your pick. Performance basically indistinguishable,
less=
than 5 points per day, and the variation across gliders of one make is
far=
greater than the variation across designs. That's especially true now as
t=
hey get older and need some TLC. No new production, so they are going to
be=
competitive for decades. And there is a huge supply of them sitting
around=

Try less rich North American thinking
1 x V2/ASW27= 1.5 - 2 x LS4
V2a/b + W27 production LS4production
LS 4 Better club ship? More accessible to wider range of pilots. One design
means one design.


Looking at the worlds, ability to fly in atrocious weather seems a lot
more=
important than a centimeter or so of cockpit width and a point of LD.=20

of course having both helps - Kawa, D2a and SZD56-2

Its not atrocious weather - its 'European' weather - learn to fly in it..

John Cochrane

John,

I agree that 15 meter class is as close to a "one-design" as we have today (a good balance exists between the various gliders currently competing). 45:1 is a good performance level albeit a little expensive for many (85k used).

All,

I think the LS6-ASW20 price/performance range is very interesting. Are there enough LS-6's in the US to be relevant?

The market and the most proactive consortium of pilots/owners will really decide what gliders form into a one design. This could be a real game changer. I also like the idea of scoring regatta's (perhaps sub scoring one designs within contests to gain traction for the idea?)

If the V3 comes along and is truly a step above...perhaps the older generation 15m glider owners (27s, V2's etc) will suddenly become "motivated" to form a one design class vs. writing SH a 175k check for the privilege of remaining competitive in 15m!

Honestly, I think 15m is a bit to expensive to be successful (85k for a used 27 these days). Again, I think the ASW20 level performance has great promise to form a one design. The price is right at 30-40k. All they have to compete in now is sports class (and club).

OK, Ive made my point. Moving on ;-)

Sean

On Friday, August 8, 2014 11:20:46 AM UTC-4, John Cochrane wrote:
We have excellent one-design racing right now. It's called 15 meter class.. V2 or ASW27, take your pick. Performance basically indistinguishable, less than 5 points per day, and the variation across gliders of one make is far greater than the variation across designs. That's especially true now as they get older and need some TLC. No new production, so they are going to be competitive for decades. And there is a huge supply of them sitting around.



Looking at the worlds, ability to fly in atrocious weather seems a lot more important than a centimeter or so of cockpit width and a point of LD.



John Cochrane