Libelle suitability for beginners

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 10:03:52 AM UTC-5, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
The Libelle is a true "classic" glider.

The only negative I was told is a weak boom subseptible to damage during off field landings if the glider drags a wingtip and gets sideways. Had that happen to one at our field.

Any truth to that?

Yep
It is not as rugged as modern gliders.
JRS described above is the glider you reference
Not a reason to avoid the Libelle.
UH

I owned a 210b for several years and never noticed the lack of airbrakes.
And yes, I never been in the habit of shallow approaches...

At 13:54 17 February 2020, krasw wrote:
On Sunday, 16 February 2020 12:30:04 UTC+2, Paul T wrote:
"Gliding Safety" by Derek Piggott, A&C Black (1991) page 109.
Std Libelle not recommended for "inexperienced pilots", e.g.,
unless
you've already made a few field landings and are an "above
average"
pilot.

I would recommend Std.Libelle to any inexperienced pilot. Just fly it
close=
to the airfield for few dozen hours, practice side slip and short
landings=
.. Then you are not inexperienced anymore. The glider itself is
pleasant to
=
fly and not dangerous at all. Most glass ship from 60's had weak
airbrakes,=
you learn to adjust your landing pattern accordingly after few flights.
I
=
dont understand what's the deal with avoiding some types because
you can
no=
t do anything you want right away without any training or practise.


Well I just wonder just how many types you have flown compared to
what Derrick had, and how many ex-students you have seen go
through the far hedge in one.....

On Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 10:59:08 AM UTC-5, Nick Kennedy wrote:
On W&W for sale recently there have been several Libelles listed, some look very nice.
And affordable.
Are these ships suitable for very low time beginners?
I've heard they are "lightly" built.
I've also never heard of them having any structural problems.
Thought's?

If enough pilots here rag the Libelle against buying for inexperienced pilots, I can pick one up at a great value!

Buy a Libelle. You cannot go wrong! I came out of a 2-33 to a Libelle. No problems...

Gary
ASW27b
"SQ"

Nobody ever regretted buying a Libelle. Easy thing to fly (while taking attention to fly well), excellent factory support from Streifeneder with parts, mods (winglets, fillets, etc) and one day you'll be able to slap an electric self-lauch setup on it.

Cheers,
Nick.

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at 8:41:12 PM UTC-5, Nick Gilbert wrote:
...one day you'll be able to slap an electric self-lauch setup on it.

Don't hold your breath, or you'll turn blue...

On Monday, 17 February 2020 21:30:05 UTC+2, Paul T wrote:

Well I just wonder just how many types you have flown compared to
what Derrick had, and how many ex-students you have seen go
through the far hedge in one.....

Argumentum ab auctoritate.

In my opinion the air breaks are a non-issue. I bought a half share in a Libelle and started flying it with maybe 8 landings in a 1-26 and 2 in a junior. Other then that all my training was done in 2-33. As long as you are aware that it doesn't come down as fast as a 2-33 then landing isn't to bad. It may not have as strong air breaks as more modern gliders but as long as you do your first few landings in big airport so you can get a feel for the glide slope it's not bad at all.

In my opinion the air brakes are a non-issue. I bought a half share in a Libelle and started flying it with maybe 8 landings in a 1-26 and 2 in a junior. Other then that all my training was done in 2-33. As long as you are aware that it doesn't come down as fast as a 2-33 then landing isn't to bad. It may not have as strong air brakes as more modern gliders but as long as you do your first few landings in big airport so you can get a feel for the glide slope it's not bad at all.

I would not recommend a Standard Libelle for inexperienced pilots
if the launch method is winching. Has a tendency to stall at
relatively high speeds, and viciously if one does not pay attention.
Otherwise great glider.