I agree with 95% of your statement. Having "signed off" quite a few low
time pilots for their first time fllight in flaps, and BTW CG hooks, I have
not had anyone have a big problem with flaps. Just remember that the "full
bore" landing flaps are not to be used till *after* the turn to final *and *
you have the field made no matter what.
However, I worry that some will misinterpret what you said about reducing
flaps if low on final. This must only be done very carefully or not at all,
as there is a loss of altitude and a sinking feeling. It must be done early
in the final approach phase or it won't do much good and will lose altitude.
The "spot in the windshield" must be established early. Since this "spot"
must allow for increased sink on short final, it should not be the very
beginning of the runway. Having "experimented" with this with a ASW27, the
loss is about 50 feet. I have not flown the like of a PIK or HP, but have
flown a ASW20B--I'd bet the HP would lose more. Just dont try this for the
first time at 100 ft height--try at 2000ft in your ship and see what
happens.

--
Hartley Falbaum CFIG USA


"Vic7" wrote in message
...

skysailor Wrote:
The big kahuna's in the club are pretty adamant about purchasing a first
glider without flaps. My question is: Are flaps that big a problem for a
low time pilot and why?

To answer your questions: no, and I have no idea why they think so.

I bought my first glider (Mini-Nimbus) shortly before I took my
checkride. I had far fewer hours than you. My very first flight in a
flapped ship was after I passed my checkride and the insurance company
allowed me to fly my own ship.

The flaps were a complete non-event. I was then and am still today
much more concerned with remembering that I have retractable gear. The
flaps help when you care to use them, but frankly, were never a bit of
distraction from the "blue up/green down" aspects of flying.

Some folks here have spoken of getting in trouble with a positive flaps
setting when too low on final. Trust me: if you are remotely paying
attention, you will notice a distinct nose down attitude that tells you
the flaps are set positive. Changing them to neutral will bring the
nose up and also give you an instant but slight acceleration. Both of
those are good if low on final.

If you are the sort who would be low on final and not think to adjust
your flaps setting, perhaps flying is not the sport for you regardless
what class plane you are flying. Furthermore, flaps allow you to
always arrive a bit high, since you can shed altitude more quickly than
some other ships.

Buy the best ship you can afford and learn to fly it well, whatever it
is. And remember to have fun.

Steve


--
Vic7