I second that. I have retracted from 55 deg flap to thermal position less
than 5 meters above the runway, and if memory serves me right, I didn't
crash :-)

--
Bert Willing

ASW20 "TW"


"Udo Rumpf" a écrit dans le message de news:
...
I have not experienced any drop,
provided the approach is flown at proper "approach speed".

When the flap is retracted from any position even as high as
+90 deg. at a constant rate and the "same speed" is
maintained no drop is experienced. In fact the rate of decent
is reduced. Since one is flying at the proper speed, the sink
rate with zero flap is less by a factor of five or more.
This requires that the nose is raised at the same time as the
flap is retracted.
Only when the fence or thresholds is reach should the
glider be slowed below the approach speed.
Once experience has been gained a more flexible approaches
are possible.

Naturedly if you fly 1.3 time the stall speed for given flap setting
you will invite trouble. This would be about 40 kt. with +90 deg.
If you were to reduce the flap to zero at that speed you would stall
or if one still has flying speed the sink rate would be high.

For the first time flapped only glider pilot, I recommend the following.
If the wing loading is around seven lb the approach speed should
be about 55 Kt . Take a high tow, play with the flaps and maintain
proper speed of 55 kt at all flap settings. Enter the landing pattern.
You should have all the correct heights at all points along the way.
The only difference, with a flapped only glider fly it closer in on final
by about 50% for the same height. Crank in full flaps and point the
glider to the fence. Maintain 55 kt. The sense you will have is
standing in the cockpit but the fuselage only will point down about
30 deg.. Hold that nose down position till about 10-15 feet off the
ground. Round out positively and let the glider settle on it own,
You will not have the shortest landing but a save first experience.
( When I made my first flight I took the glider to an airport with a very
long grass run way, as my club at the time only had a 2000 ft strip.)
Regards
Udo


"HL Falbaum" wrote in message
...
I agree with 95% of your statement. Having "signed off" quite a few low
time pilots for their first time fllight in flaps, and BTW CG hooks, I
have not had anyone have a big problem with flaps. Just remember that the
"full bore" landing flaps are not to be used till *after* the turn to
final *and * you have the field made no matter what.
However, I worry that some will misinterpret what you said about reducing
flaps if low on final. This must only be done very carefully or not at
all, as there is a loss of altitude and a sinking feeling. It must be
done early in the final approach phase or it won't do much good and will
lose altitude. The "spot in the windshield" must be established early.
Since this "spot" must allow for increased sink on short final, it should
not be the very beginning of the runway. Having "experimented" with this
with a ASW27, the loss is about 50 feet. I have not flown the like of a
PIK or HP, but have flown a ASW20B--I'd bet the HP would lose more. Just
dont try this for the first time at 100 ft height--try at 2000ft in your
ship and see what happens.

--
Hartley Falbaum CFIG USA


"Vic7" wrote in message
...

skysailor Wrote:
The big kahuna's in the club are pretty adamant about purchasing a
first
glider without flaps. My question is: Are flaps that big a problem for
a
low time pilot and why?

To answer your questions: no, and I have no idea why they think so.

I bought my first glider (Mini-Nimbus) shortly before I took my
checkride. I had far fewer hours than you. My very first flight in a
flapped ship was after I passed my checkride and the insurance company
allowed me to fly my own ship.

The flaps were a complete non-event. I was then and am still today
much more concerned with remembering that I have retractable gear. The
flaps help when you care to use them, but frankly, were never a bit of
distraction from the "blue up/green down" aspects of flying.

Some folks here have spoken of getting in trouble with a positive flaps
setting when too low on final. Trust me: if you are remotely paying
attention, you will notice a distinct nose down attitude that tells you
the flaps are set positive. Changing them to neutral will bring the
nose up and also give you an instant but slight acceleration. Both of
those are good if low on final.

If you are the sort who would be low on final and not think to adjust
your flaps setting, perhaps flying is not the sport for you regardless
what class plane you are flying. Furthermore, flaps allow you to
always arrive a bit high, since you can shed altitude more quickly than
some other ships.

Buy the best ship you can afford and learn to fly it well, whatever it
is. And remember to have fun.

Steve


--
Vic7