1-26 for first glider, or not?

On Nov 12, 9:31*am, bdbng wrote:
On Nov 12, 8:36*am, tstock wrote:





I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. *Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. *It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. *Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). *20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. *My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? *My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? *If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

If your budget is 6K, then you are limited to a 1-26 or old wood.
A 1-26 is easy to sell and get your money out of. Old wood isn't.
Go with the 1-26. Even if after a year you want something different,
it will be easy to sell.
Make sure you get one with a good trailer and good fabric. Pay more if
you have to. If you
have to do work to it, your ROI will go down rapidly when it's time to
sell.

Brian- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What "old wood" gliders are you talking about? I agree that the last
two Cherokee II's to be advertised sat for a while until I bought
them. They also were both priced well below 6K. A good Ka6 can be
had in this price range, in fact one is advertised on the SSA's
classified site right now, and I think the Ka6 is just as sellable as
a 1-26.

Agree on the fabric and trailer.

I think that anyone who has ever given a 1-26 a fair appraisal has
liked it. It's definitely a fun little ship to fly! It made this pilot
look good several times when he was staying up when glass couldn't.
And, as Ron Schwartz has shown, it has good XC potential in the right
hands.

Where I didn't like the 1-26 was (a) in the seating and (b) in the
cold. The one I flew (an E model) had a chair type plywood seat that
was really uncomfortable for me after 2-3 hours. The 1-26 Association
has articles showing how you can pad the seat; if you buy one I'd
highly recommend doing so.

The other issue I had was flying in the cold - this was because of the
breeze coming from the tow hook. Flying in 35 degree F weather, my
feet lost all feeling after half an hour. Again, if you buy one you
can use a simple flap of material to kill the breeze.

-John

On Nov 12, 10:49*am, jcarlyle wrote:
I think that anyone who has ever given a 1-26 a fair appraisal has
liked it. It's definitely a fun little ship to fly! It made this pilot
look good several times when he was staying up when glass couldn't.
And, as Ron Schwartz has shown, it has good XC potential in the right
hands.

Where I didn't like the 1-26 was (a) in the seating and (b) in the
cold. The one I flew (an E model) had a chair type plywood seat that
was really uncomfortable for me after 2-3 hours. The 1-26 Association
has articles showing how you can pad the seat; if you buy one I'd
highly recommend doing so.

The other issue I had was flying in the cold - this was because of the
breeze coming from the tow hook. Flying in 35 degree F weather, my
feet lost all feeling after half an hour. Again, if you buy one you
can use a simple flap of material to kill the breeze.

-John

Exactly. My 5 hour flight was in a 1-26 on the Harris Hill ridge in
the early spring. At around 2 hours I would hit a thermal and say
to myself, "Hey, I can stay up longer!". At around 4 hours I would
hit a thermal and say to myself, "Crap, I gotta stay up longer!"
It was great fun as my first single seater, but I've never seriously
considered owning one.

One other option is to look into the HP crowd. They're homebuilt,
which has its own set of problems, but the price range is similar,
they're made out of metal so you can tie them out, and (in theory)
they go a lot better than the 1-26. They are flap-only for landing,
which is not as scary as it sounds. At a price similar to the 1-34 is
the 1-35, which can be easier to find and goes better (and goes
together
better), although it is flap-only as well.

-- Matt

"mattm" wrote in message ...

.... Snip ....

One other option is to look into the HP crowd. They're homebuilt,
which has its own set of problems, but the price range is similar,
they're made out of metal so you can tie them out, and (in theory)
they go a lot better than the 1-26. They are flap-only for landing,
which is not as scary as it sounds. At a price similar to the 1-34 is
the 1-35, which can be easier to find and goes better (and goes
together better), although it is flap-only as well.

-- Matt

I guess you could classify me as part of the HP crowd. I have owned two and am currently flying a HP14. (http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F) There is a lot of information on Dick Schreder's designs on my website. (http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder)

While looking for more performance then a 1-26 don't over look the PIK-20B. They are in the same price range as the 1-35.

Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/

tstock wrote:
I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). 20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.


Get in a partnership in a decent glass ship.



I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

Get in a partnership in a decent glass ship.



Preferrably a partner with a job that requires them to work on sunny
weekends.

Hello Tom,
The 1-26 is a good glider, but do you live in an area that can
provide enough lift to fly this glider? If you were in the eastern
Oklahoma area, I would say, don't get one. You will never
leave the airport area or if you do get away, there is a very
good chance that you will never return. If you can fly where
there is good lift, ridge, wave or thermal, then get a 1-26.
Have you flown a 1-26? If not, go sit in one for a couple hours
and see how you fit.

Where is your flying field and are there other 1-26 flying there?

I would recommend that you find a partner or two to get a
better glider. Whatever you get, make sure that it comes with
a good trailer so that it will be easier for for your ground crew
can retrieve you from your landouts.

Randy

I would recommend that you find a partner or two to get a
better glider. Whatever you get, make sure that it comes with
a good trailer so that it will be easier for for your ground crew
can retrieve you from your landouts.

Randy

This is VERY GOOD advice. Start in a small syndicate. That way you share the
costs round. Better ship, better clocks, better chute etc. ALSO you have a
bunch of guys who have a vested interest in retrieving you, which you may
need in your early cross country days! I had shares in two gliders
consecutively (Olympia 2b and Olympia 463) and it worked out pretty well. We
had a kind of rota for who got first go every weekend and we got along just
fine. Did my Silver height and 5 hrs in them. and then moved on to somethng
a bit more slippy for the distance.

Alistair
long retired instructor

On Nov 12, 9:36*am, tstock wrote:
I know I will get replies on each end of the spectrum... but for a
first glider, low time pilot, it seems like a 1-26 would be a good
choice. *Easy to fly, easy to land in tight spaces, cheap to maintain,
and very common and there are a few 1-26 groups, so help is
available. *It's inexpensive (well under $10,000 USD, more like $6K).
I happen to like "old" stuff, like VW busses, etc, so the vintage
aspect of the 1-26 appeals to me. *Also, I like the idea of starting
"at the beginning", maybe that's just me.

Of course, there is the option to buy an early fiberglass glider for
around 10K, but at that price it's likely a fairly uncommon glider,
hard to find parts for, and maybe not a good plane for a low time
pilot (flaps, etc). *20K would be better but right now that is outside
by budget.

I admit, reading the entire issue of the last soaring issue dedicated
to the 1-26 did lead me down this path. *My wife read it also and
started asking me questions about the 1-26.

So, before I start looking for a 1-26 is there any reason I should
not? *My plan would be to fly the 1-26 for about 5 years and then find
something more modern when funds allow and I've gained more
experience.

Opinions? *If prefer to stay out of the debate you can always email me
privately.

Thanks
-tom

Excellent first glider. Fun , inexpensive, safe,forgiving of mistakes,
easy to repair, and likely to hold value.
Fly for a few years, then move on after you gain experience- or keep
it.
We have 3 in our familiy and one in the barn as a project.
Don't let the performance snobs twist your brain.
UH

Two words: Open Cockpit!

Get one with a sports canopy and really enjoy that "retro" feel.

Seriously, to me that is the best way to enjoy the 1-26 (although it
can get expensive in lost ballcaps...).

Kirk
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