First Glider

Thanks for all of the advise. I may have to get a
glider in between 30 and 35 ld. I am concerned about
getting in deeper than I should and not having fun.
It is possible that I should get a club class glider
due to my hang gliding experience (tighter turn radius?).
A PW5 or Russia may be an answer. I will be spending
sometime dual in a Lark. Two questions: What happened
to Russia Sailplanes? Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?

Thank you again for your help.

Jeff

Jeff Runciman wrote:
Thanks for all of the advise. I may have to get a
glider in between 30 and 35 ld. I am concerned about
getting in deeper than I should and not having fun.
It is possible that I should get a club class glider
due to my hang gliding experience (tighter turn radius?).
A PW5 or Russia may be an answer. I will be spending
sometime dual in a Lark. Two questions: What happened
to Russia Sailplanes? Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?

The USA distributor for Russia sailplanes seems to have been
"fired." And a note he wrote online said it looked like
the manuf. wasn't going to support as much anymore anyway.

I really liked the idea of light gliders, so I'm sorry to see
the USA Russia pipeline and distributor dry up, if this is
in fact what has happened (but hey, the website is gone).

I'll tell ya, however, that I outgrew flying non-retract
pretty quick. You might be better off buying a retract and
just getting a warning system (if spoilers are opened
before gear is down, the horn buzzes).

You might also look at the Sparrowhawk:

http://www.windward-performance.com/
--

------------+
Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA

Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?

About the same price
Junior - Stronger and better performance
Astir/grob 102 - large cockpit, retract better performance.
ASW15 good handling, retract, getting a bit old now.
Libelle lovely good performance, good handling - if you are small enough to fit
in the cockpit.
Avoid wood. They are lovely to fly but you have to spend so much time and money
keeping them in good condition they are not worth it.
I would go for a 15m glider as they seem to offer the best performance/cost
ratio. Flaps are an unnecesary complication and expense

Several ex hang glider pilots I know make excellent glider pilots. In fact one
has just qualified for the british team in the next world championships! Get
something that you enjoy flying an constantly keep striving to extend your
experiences and skills.

OscarCVox wrote:
Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?

std Cirrus, you still can find the manufacturer...
It's a bit tricky to fly it at the beginning (all flying tail) but
after 2-3 landings you will like it.

/Janos

Janos Bauer wrote:
OscarCVox wrote:

Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?


std Cirrus, you still can find the manufacturer...
It's a bit tricky to fly it at the beginning (all flying tail) but
after 2-3 landings you will like it.

Suggesting the Std Cirrus "compares" to the PW5 and the AC5 (probably
meant the AC4 - AC5 is a motorglider) is a big stretch. I've flown all
three, owned the Cirrus, and the "bit tricky" part extends well past the
first 2-3 landinds! The other two are easier fly, and I would be safer
for the "low time" pilot. Even then, there are noticeable differences
between a PW5 and an AC4, such as landing speed.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

Eric Greenwell wrote:
Janos Bauer wrote:

OscarCVox wrote:

Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?



std Cirrus, you still can find the manufacturer...
It's a bit tricky to fly it at the beginning (all flying tail) but
after 2-3 landings you will like it.


Suggesting the Std Cirrus "compares" to the PW5 and the AC5 (probably
meant the AC4 - AC5 is a motorglider) is a big stretch. I've flown all
three, owned the Cirrus, and the "bit tricky" part extends well past the
first 2-3 landinds! The other two are easier fly, and I would be safer
for the "low time" pilot. Even then, there are noticeable differences
between a PW5 and an AC4, such as landing speed.


It always depends on the pilot. I did my basic training in IS28B2,
something similar experience would help.
Yes, I always have that strange feeling in my stomach when I sit in
the cirrus but when I'm higher than 100m it disappears and I'm rewarded
with a relatively good performance

/Janos

I forgot to agree with the previous post: YES the trailer is really
important! Don't underestimate it!!

/Janos

"Janos Bauer" wrote in message
...
It always depends on the pilot. I did my basic training in IS28B2,
something similar experience would help.
Yes, I always have that strange feeling in my stomach when I sit in
the cirrus but when I'm higher than 100m it disappears and I'm rewarded
with a relatively good performance

/Janos

The IS28B2 used as a trainer will prepare a pilot to fly any high
performance flapped ship. I stepped out of one into a Nimbus 2C and felt
right at home. We need another trainer like the Lark to reduce some of the
accidents we see as pilots transition to performance glass.

Bill Daniels

Eric Greenwell wrote:
Janos Bauer wrote:
OscarCVox wrote:

Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?


std Cirrus, you still can find the manufacturer...
It's a bit tricky to fly it at the beginning (all flying tail) but
after 2-3 landings you will like it.

Suggesting the Std Cirrus "compares" to the PW5 and the AC5 (probably
meant the AC4 - AC5 is a motorglider) is a big stretch. I've flown all
three, owned the Cirrus, and the "bit tricky" part extends well past the
first 2-3 landinds! The other two are easier fly, and I would be safer
for the "low time" pilot. Even then, there are noticeable differences
between a PW5 and an AC4, such as landing speed.

I think this guy Jeff did hang gliding, so he's gonna
want to land out a lot, and thermal tight. AC-4c or
Sparrowhawk or Silent or the like sounds like it for him...
--

------------+
Mark J. Boyd

OscarCVox wrote:
Were there any other gliders
that compare to the PW5 and the AC5?

Take a look at the Alisport Silent 2
It offers good performance similar to or better than a PW5
or Russia and is available new. I own the original club version
and am very pleased with it's performance. My ship climbs as well
or better than any of the 15 meter glass birds and I stay up on
weak lift days very easily.

There are more considerations than just L/D when it comes to
buying your first ship. The wings are lighter and it assembles easily,
and with the shorter wings fits in the hanger nicely.

I preferred buying new fiberglass over a 20+ year old ship.
most (all) of the used ones I looked at had crazing and cracks in the
gel coat, and paying for a refinish would have made the costs too
high.

I'm not selling them, I am just a satisfied owner. I don't fly competition
but I can fly my Silent cross country very easily knowing it will land in
a smaller field and at a slower speed than some of the higher performance
racing sailplanes.

Willie
Silent 39 - (EK)