"Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote in message
. ..
Let me throw in a slightly controversial idea.

Low L/D, taken in isolation, offers no benefit whatsoever in a trainer.
In fact, higher L/D is a safety feature that gets an inexperienced pilot
back to the runway after a bad judgement call. In spite of this, there is
an instinctive reaction among most glider pilots to inversely relate L/D
and safe handling qualities.

I would claim they are directly related. A glider carefully engineered
for great handling and occupant protection will also have a good L/D. As
an example, I would offer the excellent Schleicher ASK-21 as well as
several other modern composite trainers.

The little Sparrowhawk is not really a trainer. It's a single seater that
requires a pilot to approach it with considerable training in his logbook.
It is, however, an excellent minimalist design.

"Primary gliders" were an expedient developed in an environment that
lacked adequate two-seat trainers. They were abandoned with great relief
as soon as usable 2-seater trainers became available. Today, there are a
great number of excellent 2-seat trainers and qualified instructors. Only
a fool would try to learn flying in a "Primary".

Bill,

I have read your posts here and rec.aviation.soaring. To date I have never
disagreed with your opinions. Here again, I am in total agreement.

Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder