NoSpam wrote:
I am trying to get honest and accurate information on the general handling
characteristics of a couple of 18 meter class sailplanes. Here is what I am
interested in. I would appreciate some honest feedback, preferably backed
up by some experience in the sailplane that you would like to give feedback
on, rather than rumor and "speculation"... Also, I am not a competition
pilot, and am more interested in leisure fun flying. Thus, all out speed
and climbing performance is not as important as handling characteristics and
the "fun factor"...

I am most interested in:

* DG-808B
* Ventus-2c & Ventus-2cx
* ASH 26

and possibly:

* ASW 28-18 and 28 (15 m)
* LS8
* Discus 2 (15 M)
* ASW 27B

I think the biggest decision here is not the handling, but whether you
want a powered (DG-808B, ASH 26E) or unpowered glider (all the rest of
them).

In any case, they are all fine handling gliders, and if the nuances of
handling are important to you, you should arrange to fly some of them.
There are some differences in landing (flaps vs no flaps, 18 m vs 15 m),
but I'm assuming this isn't the "handling" you are talking about.
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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA