Lak-20

[Francisco De Almeida]

The Lak-20 made its maiden flight a few days ago. Pics: =
http://www.lak.lt/index.php?nid=3D55.
Let's hope the old truism about good looks and flying qualities doesn't =
hold this time, as the newcomer is a bit on the gangly side.

[Bob Kuykendall]

Earlier, Francisco De Almeida wrote:
> The Lak-20 made its maiden flight a few days ago. Pics: =
> http://www.lak.lt/index.php?nid=3D55.
> Let's hope the old truism about good looks and flying qualities doesn't =
> hold this time, as the newcomer is a bit on the gangly side.

Cool, here's another link into the LAK web site:

http://www.lak.lt/3_.php?tid=t521&mid=t506

Francisco, will you be starting a Wiki article on the LAK-20? I for one
appreciate the work you've done on several of the soaring-related Wiki
topics.

Thanks, regards to all

Bob K.
http://www.hpaircraft.com

[Tim Hanke]

LAK has got to do something about the gear... it sure takes away from
the beautiful lines of the sailplane.



Bob Kuykendall wrote:
> Earlier, Francisco De Almeida wrote:
> > The Lak-20 made its maiden flight a few days ago. Pics: =
> > http://www.lak.lt/index.php?nid=3D55.
> > Let's hope the old truism about good looks and flying qualities doesn't =
> > hold this time, as the newcomer is a bit on the gangly side.
>
> Cool, here's another link into the LAK web site:
>
> http://www.lak.lt/3_.php?tid=t521&mid=t506
>
> Francisco, will you be starting a Wiki article on the LAK-20? I for one
> appreciate the work you've done on several of the soaring-related Wiki
> topics.
>
> Thanks, regards to all
>
> Bob K.
> http://www.hpaircraft.com

[Francisco De Almeida]

Bob Kuykendal wrote:

> Francisco, will you be starting a Wiki article on the LAK-20?

I'd rather someone with first-hand knowledge did it. I do plan to start =
articles for the LAK-12 and LAK-17a.


> I for one appreciate the work you've done on several of the =
soaring-related Wiki topics

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I enjoy the Wikipedia and its =
intriguing assumption that people can be expected to do quite well =
without overview or "coordination". It's a pity EASA and such cannot be =
persuaded of this point of view...

Regards,

[flying_monkey]

I don't see anything wrong with it. I mean, give them a break. It's a
2-place. Hey, it could look like a PW-6. It just happened to be the
best engineering solution they could think of. When you think of
sailplane's looks, most people think of them with the gear retracted,
anyway.

This glider is officially on my list of gliders to lust after. I'll
put it ahead of the Duo Discus, and it will be fighting for a place
with the ASH-25. It'll probably win that one, on account of being
newer.

Ed

Tim Hanke wrote:
> LAK has got to do something about the gear... it sure takes away from
> the beautiful lines of the sailplane.
>

[Bill Daniels]

"Tim Hanke" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> LAK has got to do something about the gear... it sure takes away from
> the beautiful lines of the sailplane.

The problem with two seat sailplanes is that the main wheel in a tail
dragger configuration has to occupy the same location as the rear seat
occupants posterior. The options are to move the wheel dangerously aft so
the glider may tip onto the nose as it stops so a rarely used nosewheel is
needed (Duo Discus) or make the fuselage deeper to enclose the retracted
wheel. (Lark) or just go to a bicycle gear (Grob).

LAK has obviously met this challenge in their '20 by extending the wheel
forward as it lowers and moving it aft as it retracts. I'd say that's a
more elegant solution. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Bill Daniels

[Eric Greenwell]

flying_monkey wrote:
> I don't see anything wrong with it. I mean, give them a break. It's a
> 2-place. Hey, it could look like a PW-6. It just happened to be the
> best engineering solution they could think of. When you think of
> sailplane's looks, most people think of them with the gear retracted,
> anyway.
>
> This glider is officially on my list of gliders to lust after. I'll
> put it ahead of the Duo Discus, and it will be fighting for a place
> with the ASH-25. It'll probably win that one, on account of being
> newer.

Ooo! Go for the ASH 30 - even newer than the LAK! And I love the landing
gear.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[Mark Dickson]

They have done something.....it retracts.

At 22:54 19 January 2007, Tim Hanke wrote:
>LAK has got to do something about the gear... it sure
>takes away from
>the beautiful lines of the sailplane.
>
>
>

[Andreas Maurer[_1_]]

On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:10:22 GMT, Eric Greenwell
> wrote:



>Ooo! Go for the ASH 30 - even newer than the LAK! And I love the landing
>gear.

The design is certainly unique. Given the position of the main wheel,
I wonder what the load on the tailwheel is...


Bye
Andreas

[GK[_1_]]

Mark Dickson wrote:
> They have done something.....it retracts.

...and your biggest accomplishment is 2-33?!

[Jack]

GK wrote:

> ...and your biggest accomplishment is 2-33?!

It would be interesting to know how many World Champions began gliding
in the 2-33, as opposed to the ASK21 for example.


Jack

[[email protected]]

Jack wrote:
> GK wrote:
>
> > ...and your biggest accomplishment is 2-33?!
>
> It would be interesting to know how many World Champions began gliding
> in the 2-33, as opposed to the ASK21 for example.
>
>
> Jack

I think that you might not like the answer.....

Jacek
Washington State

[Jack]

wrote:

> Jack wrote:

>> GK wrote:
>>
>>> ...and your biggest accomplishment is 2-33?!

>> It would be interesting to know how many World Champions began gliding
>> in the 2-33, as opposed to the ASK21 for example.

>
> I think that you might not like the answer....


I have no emotional investment in either, Jacek, but I imagine both
would be represented. Do you know?

As for me, I'm still trying to get used to flying while lying down, as
opposed to the respectably upright seating of the 2-33.

But, whatever gets "...you up there,
where the air is rare up high,
we'll just glide, starry-eyed."

Ooops, sorry. I'm channeling Frank tonight.


Jack