On Saturday, August 4, 2012 2:32:29 AM UTC-4, Bob Kuykendall wrote:

Bob, good luck with this project - we need it!

However, I have to admit I would prefer the cockpit configuration to be tandem instead of side-by-side.

It's been tried, but with no real success so far in the gliding community. For good or bad, glider pilots seem to be fashion conscious and are attracted to the sleek lines of our racing gliders, and by extension, tandem 2 seaters.

As far as instructing, the quieter cockpits of gliders takes away some of the advantage of side-side seating during initial training. Once at the solo stage, I think the tandem configuration is better.

And for all those pilots who fly club or rental trainers solo - there is no doubt the tandem configuration is superior - if nothing else than the visibility out the empty side of the cockpit.

Kirk
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