On Sep 20, 8:18*pm, Stealth Pilot
wrote:

my read of primary gliders years ago was that they fell out of favour
because of spinal injuries on hard landings.
Stealth Pilot
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That should probably read 'head & spine.'

In the late 1930's they introduced an 'improved' primary having a
strut from the nose of the skid to the forward end of the 'towel-bar'
wing support. With only a SEAT BELT, these gliders soon became known
by an assortment of colorful -- but true names: Head Splitter, Face
Smasher, Jaw Breaker, etc.

Since the program had grown into a bureaucracy it was impossible to
immediately scrap the new, improved design and go back to the old
version.

Any of the 44xx series has a very good stall profile, especially if
you fatten the thing up: 4415 or even 4418. With a wing that fat the
stall is a sort of bobble rather than the nose-dives typical with the
sharp-nosed Gottengein series. Indeed, the thing's glide ratio is no
more than 8:1 if that. The use of a WHEEL instead of a skid alone
goes a long way toward preventing nose-overs. Ideally, the novices
are launched so their landing will be into an area of tall grass,
which acts as a brake. As they become more skilled you can move to
mown fields or even sand.

The need for a shoulder harness connected far enough aft so as to
prevent compression of the spine should be understood from the outset,
along with the need for foot/shoe restraints.

Ditto for a crash-hat.

But I think the best 'instructor' is the kids themselves, watching --
and critiquing -- every flight.

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One of the best training devices is referred to as 'The Object' in a
derisive manner. It consists of the SCHEMATIC of a glider mounted on
a pivot. An engine fitted with a propeller blows on the thing and the
student is required to keep it balanced.

It sounds easy, especially if you're a pilot. Take it from me, it is
damned difficult. But most youngsters master it in only two or three
sessions -- often faster than an experienced pilot.

Nowadays, I wonder if we could afford the gasoline.

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Whatever its short-comings, I contend that the primary glider is
worthy of consideration for the simple reason that we have run out of
other options.

I see people giving themselves a pat on the back for turning out one
or two pilots at a cost that would beggar the AVERAGE American, when
what we need are literally THOUSANDS of new airmen.

It's ironic that, given how much airmen have given to our nation --
from crop dusting to fighting fires and a thousand chores in between
-- history will show that the one group we've failed to help is
ourselves.

-R.S.Hoover