On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 10:55:52 UTC, Ben Flewett
wrote:

: I am simply pointing out the the World Class concept
: has failed because we have selected the PW5.

I don't think has much to do with the PW5. I think the whole idea was
bound to fail because there are too many cheap, second hand gliders
with good performance out there. To succeed as a low-cost competition
glider, any design is going to have to undercut fifteen year old
Discii, ASW20's, Pegases, Libelles and even (shudder) Astirs. It's
just not going to happen.

Competition is no good as a driver, either. Only a tiby, tiny
proportion of glider pilots are interested in competing. Mind you,
running the world championships for a budget class glider in the
country which (although beautiful and full of friendly people)
probably represents the highest aggregate travel costs for
participants of anywhere in the world is an, um, intriguing idea.

Ian
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