I have had a little time in Nimbus 3 (2 aircraft, from opposite ends
of the production series), Nimbus 4, Nimbus 3DT, Nimbus 3DM and
Nimbus 4DM, and also many more hours in ASH25. A little time
may be a plus, since in my experience, you can get used to anything
and think it is better than acceptable.

In my personal opinion, ease of handling is important, it leaves time
to think about the important things like where to go next - if your
concentration is on maximising the climb while flying an unwieldy
lump, then that takes away from time better spent.

Having said which, I would avoid a very early Nimbus 3 and
especially the earliest 3Ds before they increased the tail area and
changed control relationships. Later ones are nicer. The 4 series
are a lot nicer to fly, and the single seat 4 feels like a much smaller
glider - a pleasure to fly.

The ASH25 is quite different, but you get used to it quite quickly.

I haven't done a full spin in any of the above, and wouldn't want to,
that's test pilot stuff; I have approached divergence in all of them
and they all gave me sufficient warning.

I say again, all the above is personal opinion.


At 23:50 21 August 2018, Ventus_a wrote:

John McLaughlin;974863 Wrote:
I'm just coming back into gliding after a long time grounded and
I'm
looking to buy a glider over the winter. A two seater seems a
nice ide
an

the Nimbus seems to be a lot of glider for the money

Are they in any way difficult or unpleasant to fly? I know there
hav
bee

structural failures due to loss of control

Are they difficult or heavy to rig

Maintenance issues? Airframe life issues

How much would insurance typically cost - a two seater has to
cost more
than a single seater

Is winch launching unwise? Is it best to stick to a tarmac runway

Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks

Hi Joh

I currently own a Nimbus 3D and a Ventus a. I swap between the
without any problems and the Nimbus doesn't feel ponderous at all
to m

I've some time in a Duo X and I'd describe the 3D as being like
slightly sluggish Duo to roll especially if you are flying it too slow
then it resembles an out of control barge :-) . Appropriate speed is
th
key. Both flight manuals quote 4.4 seconds for the 45 to 45 tur
reversal at their respective MAUW with the Nimbus in +2 thermal
flap a
60kts and the Duo 4kts slower. I have no hesitation in doing
reversal
while thermalling if I think it will centre me quicker. No problems
wit
either aerotow or winching and I don't even mind a wing down
take-of
from grass on aerotow if no wing runner is available

Unlike some I fly with the tip spoilers connected and as they onl
deploy (if properly adjusted) when nearing full aileron travel there i
no drag penalty when flying 'clean'. They help a lot with rapi
maneuvering enabling you to put the glider where you want it
quickly an
be back 'clean' again. The biggest hinderance in flying big wings
tha
my fellow pilot ride alongs display is a lack of willingness to use ful
controls as necessary

I've had a few passengers who have ASH 25 time fly with me and
they al
say the Nimbus is more responsive and quicker handling, but I
suspec
that relates more to lack of appropriate speed as the one time I
flew a
ASH with Terry Delore in NZ I thought it was fine and was looking
to bu
one before I settled on the Nimbus

I solo rig the Nimbus in c.40- 45 minutes and it's the endless tapin
that's the biggest drag and de-rig in 30. I regularly land the
Nimbu
shorter than the club Duo and twice have outlanded the Nimbus in
c.140y
(1st and last landouts to date with another 2 or 3 in there

Any way that's my opinion from owning a 3D and it's only an
opinion
Some people like big wings and some don't

Good luck and welcome back to soarin
:-) Coli




--
Ventus_a