The original post referred to gliders that used flaps and divebrakes
(spoilers), not gliders that use only flaps for landing. Flap only gliders
that use flaps for landing require more accurate speed control during
approach/landings. I once saw an HP-10 (no spoilers) float the entire
length of the runway and end up in the trees at the far end, just because
the very experienced pilot did not pay attention to his approach speed. I
heard about another competent airman who flew a Schweizer 1-35 (again no
spoilers) for the first time and had trouble putting it down, so he removed
the flaps to prevent over running the runway; he landed hard, causing minor
damage to the fuselage. OTOH, on a flapped/spoilered ship, I've seen a very
experienced pilot mistake the flap control for the spoiler control and end
up in a tree just short of the runway.

"Udo Rumpf" wrote in message
...

None of the CFI's I knew were of help.
It takes common sense, some forethought and a competent airman
to start, regardless of how many hours you have. I my case I
made my first flight in an all flapped glider after 14 hours in Gliders
and completed my 300 km O&T after 40hours.
As well as 3 outlanding in previous attempt all with this flapped glider.
Please do not make it sound as if flying a flapped glider the first time
out
is dangerous. It is no more dangerous then going solo.
Also, in my comments I provide a way to reduce the need for flap use the
first time out.
Udo


"Ron Gregg" wrote in message
...

AMEN

Ron Gregg, CFI


In article , Roy Bourgeois
wrote:

It is interesting to see how this thread changed from a response to a
simple request for opinions about the advisability of flaps on a first
ship
- to a discussion of "how to land with flaps" then "It's OK to retract
flaps on landing - because I did it" So let me please add a note of
caution to the new pilot readers: 1) Flight/ground instruction should
be
done in person and by somebody who knows you and the specific glider
you
are learning to fly. 2) Read and understand the POH for the glider you
are
about to fly - it is more reliable than Internet postings. 3) Accept
that
retracting the flaps on approach is a very dangerous maneuver for the
new
pilot and the observation that some highly experienced pilots can do
it
safely does not mean that you should try it.

Roy B. CFI