Mark Brown wrote:

Ok im really bored and I thoguht i would open a can
of worms..has Standard Class Design reached a plateau?
and if so where do we go from here?


Yes?
The way (most) composite sailplanes are made, wet hand layup of cloth,
is ancient history in composite fabrication. Some newer material
technology like the pre-preg cloth construction of the Sparrowhawk (and
Duckhawk I assume?) and the carbon rod spar of the Genesis are a couple
examples of how new designers are wait.......here it comes.....
Breaking the Mold! Thank you , thank you. :-)
Also, technology in sail making can custom weave a sail on a mold thread
by thread (more or less). Could a glider fusalage be spun out on a
mold? dunno. Also, the new Eclipse mini-busjet uses a high tech
welding technique for its aluminum skin, eliminating rivets (or at least
a lot of them).
These new fabrication techniques can reduce limitations set by materials
and weight (but probably not cost. )-: ). If a thinner airfoil is
better, but couldn't be constructed using old techniques, new materials
can make it possible. In some cases perhaps construction could be made
less expensive. Haven't heard of any big advances in making the smooth
surface required by laminar flow, without lots of sanding, but only a
ludite would tell you it can't be done. Not big incentive on the part
of the manufacturers to change. Maybe the Duckhawk or Diana II will
start shaking the old men awake :-)

Shawn