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#1
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Sparrowhawk vs PW5
I have been looking at some of the current crop of lightweight
sailplanes on the market and wonder if the sparrowhawk is a good value. Does anyone have any experience flying one? If so how would it compare to a PW5 or a Russia? The price of a new Sparrowhawk with trailer and instruments is pretty high compared to some of other ships available. I am interested in these ships because I am not a competition pilot, and I don't have a crew. So, a ship that is easy to rig and retrieve is desirable to me. I really am looking for some advice from people with experience in these smaller ships. I'm not a new pilot, I am returning after a 15 year hiatus from the sport. I have had a Libelle and a DG 202-17. I appreciate the info in the last thread but it veered of onto the realm of trailer towing weight. |
#2
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Willie,
I don't have experience "flying" any of those aircraft. I did visit serial number 4 sparrowhawk at it's owner's workshop yesterday. I am VERY impressed with this aircraft. The wings do indeed weigh 42 lbs each. (I have an LS-3 so light wings really impress me) The cockpit is wider and roomier than my LS. All reports are that the performance is better than advertised. This is indeed going to be a revolutionary aircraft. From all the reports of the 15 meter design in this series, I might just sell the cars, house and first born to get my hands on a duckhawk. I think that this aircraft is in a category far beyond the PW5 or Russia. When the owner gets into the air with this machine it's performance coupled with the owner's experience will probably leave me in the dust in my 15 meter ship. Take Care and Fly Safe, Joe Hyde "Willie" wrote in message ... I have been looking at some of the current crop of lightweight sailplanes on the market and wonder if the sparrowhawk is a good value. Does anyone have any experience flying one? If so how would it compare to a PW5 or a Russia? The price of a new Sparrowhawk with trailer and instruments is pretty high compared to some of other ships available. I am interested in these ships because I am not a competition pilot, and I don't have a crew. So, a ship that is easy to rig and retrieve is desirable to me. I really am looking for some advice from people with experience in these smaller ships. I'm not a new pilot, I am returning after a 15 year hiatus from the sport. I have had a Libelle and a DG 202-17. I appreciate the info in the last thread but it veered of onto the realm of trailer towing weight. |
#3
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I haven't flown either of those ships either, but I took close looks at both of them up close and in person when I was trying to decide what I was going to buy.
First, you might be comparing apples and oranges. The Sparrowhawk is an ultralight glider (a very intentional design goal to avoid FAA certification expenses), the PW-5 is not, and is significantly smaller than the -5 (less than 12 meter wingspan). If I had no interest in competition or serious cross-country and I had to choose between a Sparrowhawk and PW-5, I'd pick the Sparrowhawk; the performance is most impressive and they look like a blast to fly. -tw "Willie" wrote in message ... I have been looking at some of the current crop of lightweight sailplanes on the market and wonder if the sparrowhawk is a good value. Does anyone have any experience flying one? If so how would it compare to a PW5 or a Russia? The price of a new Sparrowhawk with trailer and instruments is pretty high compared to some of other ships available. I am interested in these ships because I am not a competition pilot, and I don't have a crew. So, a ship that is easy to rig and retrieve is desirable to me. I really am looking for some advice from people with experience in these smaller ships. I'm not a new pilot, I am returning after a 15 year hiatus from the sport. I have had a Libelle and a DG 202-17. I appreciate the info in the last thread but it veered of onto the realm of trailer towing weight. |
#4
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I have been looking at some of the current crop of lightweight
sailplanes Willie, Take a look at the Apis. www.apisgliders.com I think you will find something you like. Robert Mudd |
#5
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I have flown both the Russia and the PW5. No comparison, the Russia
is much better. Easier to assemble, better performance with the retract gear, greater control harmony, more durable. Next on the development list for the Russia is a 13m wing (up from 12.6m wing) with winglets and flaps. This will be the AC-4D model. Prototype already flying, likely production will start once the new US distributor is announced this year. Clearly, adding flaps to the Russia seems a direct response to the Apis. Not flown an Apis, but if the Russians are copying it, must be doing some things right. You might check the Silent too. Have interesting self launch versions. Not sure the Sparrowhawk directly compares to these others. It is an ultralight, so have different set of rules (no certification, resale value??). One good thing is the ability to paint the plane something other than white due to the high temperature tolerance of the composite. Also, being light weight, should be very easy to tow, allowing good launches on very hot summer days. One wonders if it more "hang glider" in its manner and capable of finding micro-lift other sailplanes can't use. In any case, the light weight will result in a more bumpy ride....weight does tend to cancel out turbulence a bit. John |
#6
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Willie:
I will second Robert Mudd's recommendation. I have flown the 13 meter Apis, and it is light, responsive and sporty without being an ultralight. With its flaps (actually flaperons), the Apis climbs like a lovesick angel in very light thermals but still makes very good time over the ground. Workmanship is also exceptional, and the wing panels are light enough to make handling no problem whatsoever. On top of the super performance and ease of assembly, availability is something you might want to compare as you're looking. Your search will not be complete without considering the Apis, and I think you'll be glad you looked. Fred LaSor |
#7
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John wrote:
Not sure the Sparrowhawk directly compares to these others. It is an ultralight, so have different set of rules (no certification, resale value??). Because it is an ultralight, it has its own categories for setting FAI records, correct? It looks like the category is wide open too, with plenty of room to push out the records. |
#8
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John wrote:
Not sure the Sparrowhawk directly compares to these others. It is an ultralight, so have different set of rules (no certification, resale value??). One good thing is the ability to paint the plane something other than white due to the high temperature tolerance of the composite. Also, being light weight, should be very easy to tow, allowing good launches on very hot summer days. One wonders if it more "hang glider" in its manner and capable of finding micro-lift other sailplanes can't use. In any case, the light weight will result in a more bumpy ride....weight does tend to cancel out turbulence a bit. I was a little surprised that over the past few years, if I recall correctly, the Sparrowhawk has gone from a base price in the low $20 thousands to now the low $30 thousands. With likely options and tax, more like $40K. At $260 a pound, it's a good thing one is paying for less weight and not more. Anybody who thinks there's no rampant inflation in the US must just be buying Wonder bread and Campbell's soup... For that much moula, I could buy a nice Russia or Grob-103, and train and pay standby rates for a coupla teenagers as crew to do ALL the lifting... |
#9
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There are several clubs where you can rent a Russia or a PW5. Try one
and see which one is more fun to fly. Also, there many clubs where you can watch/assist a private owner assemble a privately owned Russia or PW5. This might be a good thing to do, get some hands on experience and owner feedback. Other issues, like how good is the trailer, also come into play when deciding which plane to buy. You also get feedback on "improvements" made to each plane. For example, Russian tailwheels are horrible, but you can replace them with either an aluminum or nylon Tost tailwheel ($130) or figure out how to add air each flight to a non-standard air valve (2 easy, cheap ways actually). Or how do you add a boom mike to a PW5? Where do you store the water bottle in each one? Little things like this are not in the sales brochure! I am not sure the Apis, Silent, or Sparrowhawk are readily available at the club level yet. The dealers seem helpful, though. |
#10
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Because it is an ultralight, it has its own categories for setting FAI
records, correct? Being an part 103 ultralight in the US is not the same as being an ultralight for the FAI record catogory. Go to www.apisgliders.com and click on the link to the FAI site for details. Robert Mudd |
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