At 15:19 04 January 2014, wrote:
On Friday, January 3, 2014 1:24:27 PM UTC-6, Paul T wrote:
The Discus 2 is now well over 15 years old - why is there nothing
better
=
in
=20
Standard Class? Has glider design reached a plateau in terms of
performan=
ce
=20
in the Standard Class?

Paul, flying an LS8-18, I have of course to take issue with your premise
of=
the "best Standard Class Glider". However, UH is right on all points,
man=
ufacturers concentrate on higher revenue classes. Also, the development
po=
tential of unflapped 15m wings (and maybe the flapped ones as well) is
minu=
scule and does not warrant a new design. Rolladen Schneider basically
took=
the LS6 fuselage and wings (sans flaps) and optimized those components
for=
a "new" model they called LS8 - and it is still competitive.
ASW-28, Discus 2 and LS8's are very much in demand with prices of
$70-$80k
=
and with new 18m ships costing $150k+ I can see why: you get about the
sam=
e enjoyment and OLC miles for half the price. So yes, Standard Class has
p=
eaked and there's not too much wrong with that.
Herb

I think nearly everyone conceedes that the Discus 2a is the best performer
in Standard Class - whether is the best standard class glider is another
issue!

I wonder if IGC (and manufacturers?) hadn't 'invented' these new classes
i.e. 18m, 20m two seat, 13.5m we would have seen more radical development
in std and 15m class?

I think someone forgot about the SZD56-2 Diana in 15m class! -as for the
Duckhawk it has yet to prove itself on the international scene.