Flaps/No flaps...practical difference??

On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 6:21:23 PM UTC-4, wrote:
For simple long pleasure flights in the western US or for the rare flights in the Alps would I notice any real PRACTICAL difference between a Discus 2c and other flapped 18m ships? I have NO interest in competition. Thanks

Well, on that pleasure flight, as he blows by you at 100 knots. When are we not in competition? And, the pilot has the same wingspan to do it...

Now, if you get a Libelle, you can out thermal them all!

"SQ"

Landing flaps in Schleicher ships give you a nice steep approach and aileron control once on the ground.

Negative flap helps with aileron control in the initial ground run on aerotow.

But each available flap setting gives you another opportunity to get it wrong.

Exceeding maximum speed for a given flap setting can make bad things happen. Pay attention to the white triangles on the airspeed.

What George and JS said and in addition, landing speed and the angle of attack needed to lift off at high wing loadings.