At 18:49 28 October 2008, st4s03 wrote:
On Oct 28, 7:21=A0am, Andreas Maurer wrote:
53 kts is the perfect approach speed for the G-103 (stall speed 39
kts) with calm winds - how fast would you fly the approach?
http://ras.gliderpilot.net/?op=a1&id=68531
Bye
Andreas

I fly the pattern in a 103 with 2 people at 60kts in calm air and
faster in wind. Stall speed with spoilers closed on a =93new=94 ship
with
perfect wings was listed at 39kts. With spoilers extended that goes to
43kts. Now ad 25 years of exposure to the elements and that figure may
go up by a couple of knots. Then bank 35 degrees from base to final
with spoilers open and 2 big guys in the cockpit and you may be close
to 50kts. Then hit a thermal gust, or shear of 10kts, or the lower
wing goes into wind gradient and at 53kts airspeed you are looking at
the ground. Maybe I'm too cautious but I' still alive.


Look up what the yellow triangle on the asi means in the flight manual.