(Michael) wrote in message om...
Vassilios,

Do you want to say I cannot reach higher speeds with a dry glider?

Cheers
Michael
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One thing is for sure, the climb gets no better.
But there is an interesting effect that few people are aware of:
Higher speed means higher Reynold's numbers accross all of the wing,
in direct proportion. Higher Reynold's number generally means higher
efficiency. Therefore, there may be some small improvement in the
glide angle.
I recall vaguelly that some model of the Ventus is quoted with an
extra 1/2 point of L/D max at maximum ballast.

regards

Vassilios Mazis

Greece

Errr, No, you can reach whatever speed you like*, flying unballasted,
but your average X-country speed will drop relative to the theoretical
maximum. Improving glide speed is is the first-order effect of
increasing the Wing Loading (shifting the "polar"). The Reynold's
number effect (improving the best glide angle)is the secondary
side-effect and much smaller. It is also the reason why designing
winglets can be tricky.

You better rephrase your question though.


* NB perhaps it would be interesting to discuss the effect of ballast
in
Rough Airspeed limits, ride quality and flutter, but that is a
completely different story.

Vassilios