noel.wade wrote:
Hi All,



The LS-3 is around $25k, has some of the best performance numbers, and
is reportedly very good in climb. However, it has NO automatic
hookups and the wings are a fair bit heavier to handle than the other
two gliders. It has the highest min-sink by a small margin.
Ergonomics are supposedly good (other than the flap & airbrake handles
having to be operated together); but I've never seen one in person.
The high weight and lack of automatic hookups bug me, but the price-
performance point is nice.

The tail on the LS-3 has the same hookup as the LS-8 and other LS
models. You can't get the wings on unless the spoilers are hooked up,
and unless you hook up the flaps. The only thing that isn't "automatic"
is the ailerons on the "a" model.

Of course, by "automatic" I mean "you can't assemble the glider unless
everything is hooked up." You do have to manually line up a couple of
fittings to get the wings on. It is not a matter of shoving the wings
on and having everything hook up on its own as with newer gliders. But
you do have the safety benefits of "automatic" hookups (except the
ailerons on the "a" model).




I've chatted with Mini and Mosquito pilots (its surprisingly hard to
find someone who's flown both), and am hoping to fly both a Mini and
an LS-3a at Minden this winter/spring (though if I buy one, I think
I'd prefer the flaperon LS-3). No clear decision as of yet...

Anyone care to toss in their opinions and thoughts?

Any alternate suggestions of aircraft I may have overlooked?

Thanks, take care,

--Noel