Newest Sailplane in the world on display at the 2016 SSA convention

And technically, the GP14 is a newer, far more innovative design. It has the potential to really grow the sport.

http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-14-velo-0

Powerful electric self launch w/o the FES propeller drag, 45:1, flapped 13.5 meter. Light, small and easier to manage.

Roughly 80k complete (yes, COMPLETE) with trailer. Even better if you order at the convention. That is simply incredible pricing.

I would be even more excited to see this little puppy at the convention floor! I already know what a SH wing with a Maumer winglet looks like. ;-)

Sean

On Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 11:00:00 AM UTC-6, smfidler wrote:
And technically, the GP14 is a newer, far more innovative design. It has the potential to really grow the sport.

http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-14-velo-0

Powerful electric self launch w/o the FES propeller drag, 45:1, flapped 13.5 meter. Light, small and easier to manage.

Roughly 80k complete (yes, COMPLETE) with trailer. Even better if you order at the convention. That is simply incredible pricing.

I would be even more excited to see this little puppy at the convention floor! I already know what a SH wing with a Maumer winglet looks like. ;-)

Sean

Thanks for the props for this glider Sean! Things are shaping up nicely for this glider and, as you say, the price/performance with self-launch capability is pretty spectacular. Promotional pricing is still available for early adopters!

Unfortunately, Innovation and High Quality take longer than the oringinal very aggressive ambitions of this young glider manufacturer. Things are progressing very well at the factory and they are putting the finishing touches on the prototype for first flight very "shortly". If someone could give a call to the weather gods of southeastern Poland, everyone involved would appreciate it. While a GP 14 will not be on the floor of this convention, please stop by the GP Gliders USA booth at the convention to learn more and pickup some cool schwag.

Tim McAllister
GP Gliders USA

On Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 12:00:00 PM UTC-5, smfidler wrote:
And technically, the GP14 is a newer, far more innovative design. It has the potential to really grow the sport.

http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-14-velo-0

Powerful electric self launch w/o the FES propeller drag, 45:1, flapped 13.5 meter. Light, small and easier to manage.

Roughly 80k complete (yes, COMPLETE) with trailer. Even better if you order at the convention. That is simply incredible pricing.

I would be even more excited to see this little puppy at the convention floor! I already know what a SH wing with a Maumer winglet looks like. ;-)

Sean

Sean ...do you have some sort of hard on for SH?...I celebrate all new designs because it helps advance the R&D of gliding. Why the pale of cold water?

Dennis

Not cold water. Just a cool breeze of clam and patience.

I think the nemerous deposits and absolute belief in the performance predictions (every new glider makes them) is quitepremature. I think the V3 is going to run well, but will it climb in weak lift? Will it be able to carry water early in the day? Will it handle? Have they made their compromises properly and was their data analysis of 18 meter contest behavior (speeds, running, climbing percentages) accurate?

All the little things make a glider truly great (see 29). The Arcus is good, but really has had not true performance competition until last year with the 32. Unlike the Arcus which was entering a new class (flapped 20m 2 place), the V3 is entering the worlds most competitive class. The 29 is enormously strong and the JS-1 has been significantly improved (although very good from the early stages). The V3 really has to be Newley perfect to be demonstrably better than those gliders in all conditions. Is it a "me too" or is it truly innovative as they contend.

The V3 might, for example, end up being great in strong conditions and weak in others. I also question if they will build them light enough. I also worry about the cockpit size.

We shall see. I hope it's great. But yes, not too great. I would love to not have to buy a new glider to be competitive. The current 18 meter balance is actually really great between the 29, JS1 and V2. A new, unbeatable 18 meter glider could hurt the class more than it helps it, initially. I'm all for supporting the builders. But many will probably not want to buy a new glider just to be somewhat competitive in a class.

If the V3 end up being a requirement to play in 18m, yes, I'll buy one...if Scheicher des not rapidly respond. Lots of if's....

And yes, the V3 wing is very pretty. But I would buy an ugly wing if it was better! I still like th 29 right now. The 29 fuselage shape is beautiful, and it's cockpit is incredibly comfortable and functional. It's resilient, easy to fly and really strong at high wing loading. If the V3 is only equal, I would likely keep the 29 for some time.

On 2/10/2016 11:10 AM, smfidler wrote:
Just a cool breeze of clam and patience
Not the first words that pop up in my mind when I read "internet Sean's"
posts ;-)

Luke

On Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 3:36:25 PM UTC-5, Luke Szczepaniak wrote:
On 2/10/2016 11:10 AM, smfidler wrote:
Just a cool breeze of clam and patience
Not the first words that pop up in my mind when I read "internet Sean's"
posts ;-)

Luke

Hey, Internet Sean is, "Happy as a clam" on new sailplanes...... or, did he mean to post "calm"???

[BTW, what is a "cool breeze of clam"?, a winter "passing of gas" from a bivalve?]

/sarcasm......

[I really HATE peeps that use small devices with "auto-complete" and then don't read BEFORE posting...... things can make a whole lot of difference after posting...., say's the "technophobe".....]

LOL....

There is always the, "Next great thing", marketing types always trumpet the advances, it's their job.
I've worked decades in service & manufacturing, I'm usually stuck between what "Sales sells" and what "engineering can provide within the costs".
I'm usually part of the phone calls that ask, "Why doesn't it do what I was told it would do?!".

As an aside, I wonder how much traction a 13.5 meter class will actually gain. Not the 1st time someone has pushed a "one design class". Only really good example is the SGS-1-26 class, basically the rest were, "Good ideas that went nowhere."

The 13.5 meter class, like all of the other FAI classes (now), is not a one design class...

On Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 6:15:45 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
The 13.5 meter class, like all of the other FAI classes (now), is not a one design class...

While you are correct, it "appears" to me that it is a direction some are going for.
Unless the handicap is good/one design class, why would you buy one unless it's NOT contest related?

It may be a great, "Get into soaring/XC soaring" sailplane for not a lot of money, but if you decide to do contests (outside of a one design class), what is the point?

Yes, I'm wearing Nomex underwear, flame away.
Not saying to avoid this or other sailplanes in this range, sorta depends on what you're looking for.
A "new design, no worries on NDH/NDDH issues, no AD's [in the US], warranty, etc." is a GREAT thing.
Buy away.
But, what is YOUR ultimate goal?

This could be a great way to "get your feet wet" on XC, fly a handicapped contest (yes, contest, NOT race.....) and decide where you want to go next.
It may even be the, "Modern SGS-1-26" to get peeps going away from the local airport.
Fantastic.