What about cost? You seem to have forgotten this.

Cost to buy, cost to run, cost to repair (time and money), cost to overhaul
when this is eventually necessary?
Or is Lasham so rich this does not matter to you?

What about the standing of the manufacturer and the agent?

When Lasham tried the demonstration K21 for the first time (I personally
arranged the demonstration) Derek Piggott (then the Chief Flying Instructor)
rejected it because it was not satisfactory for teaching the stall/spin,
whereas the K13 was. This is still true, and this was also the opinion of
Graham McAndrew (C.F.I. until less than a year ago). Tim Macfadyen (CFI
at Nympsfield) agrees (and so do I).

Why should the age of the design be a problem? Lasham has just spent a lot
of money on the complete overhaul of two tugs, DR400-180R G-BJUD and
PA18-180 G-ATRG which are older than any of the K13s, and why not? They
look magnificent, and they do the job as well as they ever did.

Surrey Club (who own the single seaters for club use at Lasham) has been
buying ASW19s, how old are they? What matters is condition and history,
and it is a very sensible choice for S. & H.

In my view the best two-seaters for Lasham a

For air experience and first flights: K21.

For main training to "off checks" stage and through to Bronze: K13.

For early post-solo training for soaring, cross-country and conversion to
glass single seaters (and aerobatics): K21.

For advanced training for cross-country and competition: Duo-Discus.

For field landing and navigation training: Motor-Falke.

Funny old thing, this is much what Lasham has today. Money burning a hole
in your pockets, or just boredom because the season is over?

As someone pointed out on Lasham's Yahoo chat board, you do not use BMW 5
series to teach people to drive, even if it is what they want to have when
they have learnt.

There is no single machine which will cover the full spectrum at present
covered by K13, K21 and Duo-Discus, and I doubt if there can be.
Lasham is lucky to be big enough to have the correct machine for each job
without having to compromise. Your next purchase should be a second Duo, I
think there are some for sale from people who have one but are buying a
turbo.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"NigelPocock" wrote in message
...

There has been a lot of discussion in our club recently about what makes
the ideal training glider.

We have been using ASK13s for years but the design is now 30 years old and
we would like to think that using modern materials something can be
designed to take us forward into the 21st century.

A number of points have already come up-
* must be capable of spinning
* Robust for club use
* Easily repaired
* Safety cell
* Good visibility
* light, good handling
* Spacious cockpit
* Wide pilot weight limits (100 to 300 pounds!)
* capable of sensible cross country flights
and finally must look good. We want to attract potential members and
customers

None of the current crop of two seaters fulfil all of these requirements.
Can anyone add to this list or suggest anything suitable?

Nigel.