Greg Arnold wrote:
I think you are over-analyzing this issue. The difference between flaps
and no flaps is so small that you won't notice it. What difference does
it make if a recreational flight is 300 km (no flaps) rather than 315 km
(flaps)?

In contrast, you will notice if your glider is hard to rig, has a poor
trailer, or isn't comfortable or fun to fly. Those are the things that
you should be focusing on.

Amen, Brother Arnold! Especially in the conditions Noel describes,
speeds will be low, and flaps will make an insignificant difference in
the soaring performance.

Where flaps can make an important difference is in landing. You will be
able to put an ASW 20 into a shorter field than an Standard Class
glider. The landing flaps (60 degree deflection on the original 20, 40
degree deflection on the B and C models) let you arrive more steeply,
more slowly, and stop more quickly than an unflapped glider of similar
soaring performance.

My experience in Western Washington (2 flights) isn't enough to advise
you about field size!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
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