Phil
I agree with the comments made by all of those above. I would add a few
more. First, the flap detents are 2* increments, far more than are
necessary. I think of the PIK as having 5 landing flap positions, 1, 2,
3, 4, and 5, corresponding to full revolutions of the flap handle. Thus
the handle is always at the top. If the pattern is a normal one (not low
or high), I use 1-2 turns on downwind to get me started down, add 1 or 2
on base and when the runway is definitely made, the rest, usually 90*
but if I want to float some, I'll stop at 4 turns. Do not start the
round out too high at 90* of flap...it will slow down quickly and a hard
landing could result. I maintain 60 KIAS in the pattern until on final
then slow to 55 KIAS. Second, adding flap will cause you to pitch up and
slow down so to avoid the airspeed loss, you must pitch down promptly as
you add flap. The glider resists accelerating if slow with large flap
settings so don't get behind on this task. Conversely, removing flap (I
would not recommend this on your first flight unless desperately low)
causes the aircraft to accelerate and will require a prompt pitch up
adjustment. Third, regarding PIOs on landing, this seems to most common
with very aft CG. I found if my CG is aft of 90%, a PIO is hard to
avoid. Moving the CG to 75% to 80% virtually eliminated this problem.
Lastly, the advice to leave yourself plenty of floating room(especially)
at flap settings less than 90*), is right on but don't forget about
stopping. The wheel brake can be marginal.

Good luck on your first flight.

Paul











phil collin wrote:
I'm about to become the owner of a PiK20b.
I have never flown one before and wondered if there were any
owners/pilots of this particular model who could offer some words of
wisdom on what to expect. I've read with interest the "pat your head rub
your tummy" stories of flaring and winding the flaps up to negative to
weight the tail at the same time so you can use the nose wheel. I'm
guessing 30 to 45 degrees of flap on the approach is going to be like
spoilers.
Looking forward to some responses. I take delivery this Saturday and the
met looks great at the moment.

Phil