On Saturday, August 4, 2012 8:06:51 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
I've had great fun flying an SGS 1-26 in New England. What's a 1-26 like in the stronger conditions that are more typical 'out west' (say Moriarty New Mexico). I'd especially like to hear from anyone who has flown the 1-26 both east and west USA.



I've kept the 1-26 up for nice long flights close to the airport in very light lift on days when the "high performance guys" don't even bother to assemble. On a decent day, it goes right up to cloud base and stays there for mild cross-country. If you have to land out, you can do it in the available postage-stamp-sized sloping fields.



The weak point is of course 'penetration' as the sink increases rapidly with airspeed. All and all it's a great fun ship (for what it is).



How does a SGS 1-26 do in stronger conditions with higher cloud bases that I would expect to find in 'Soaring Nirvana' 'out west'?

Ive flown a 1-26 in Northern UT a bit and the problem is the typically strong winds aloft. If you pick a light wind day you will have a great time. Also, the 1-26's I flew didn't seal up that well so with high cloud bases you have to dress accordingly. I wore gloves sometimes.