On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:23:24 -0700, noel.wade wrote:

This is why I'm phrasing things in terms of speed or XC distance/
aggressiveness. The "climb" flaps of the ASW-20 are certainly
superior (in small but noticeable ways) to the standard-class ships of
the late-70's.

As a some-time 20 driver I found that I almost never used thermal flap.
The glider felt a lot livelier and climbed almost as well in zero flap.
I only used thermal flap when digging myself out of a hole in very weak
lift. I've been told that a 20 spins more easily in thermal flap though
didn't experience that.

If it helps any, read what Andreas Maurer had to say about flying the 20.
I found it very helpful. Mine was an early version with the Jesus flap
setting. A copy of his notes is he

http://www.gregorie.org/gliding/asw2..._handling.html

If you do go for the 20 you'll find that learning to fly a flapped glider
is rather like the experience that somebody who learnt to drive an
automatic car has when converting to a manual gearbox: the mechanics of
using the flaps is easy enough but the business of being in the right
flap setting at all times takes time and practise.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. |
org | Zappa fan & glider pilot