Marianne

Can someone provide me with a detailed info about the Centrair
Marianne? Does it have a life limit like the Pegasus? Does it have a
type certificate in the US? How does it fly? Can it be used for
initial training? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jacek
Pasco, WA

Jacek, I was the Centrair rep/dealer from 85-1988.
In 1987 I flew the Marianne in Leblanc and showed it in 88 at the
Colorado springs SSA convention.
I could not have been less impressed. Both cockpits are small and
have poor ergonomics. i am not a big guy but wore a blister on my
elbow during a 35 minute flight.
It was not particularly nice to fly but it flew. It was billed to be
40:1 + but as I recall it did not seem to be any better than an ASK
21. I was comparing it to the ASK 21 and was unsuccessful in selling
even the factory demonstrator. It went back to France.
There is no US type certificate and never will be. Centrair pulled
out of the US market in 1989 and never looked back. I have found it
possible but difficult to deal with the factory. Centrair has refused
to translate the 3000 hr life limit general inspection of the Pegasus
101 for the US gliders which renders the glider worthless at 3000 hrs
tis.
As far as I know, all gliders manufactured in Europe have a 3000 hour
life limit which can be extended with inspection intervals.

Rex Mayes

Gee Rex, thats a bit harsh!!! I own a half share in a Marianne, and
everyone who has flown it says it handles better than an ASK21, a
Grob, or a Janus.
It is very benign and difficult to spin, although it will if provoked
with a very high nose.
The cockpit is way better than a Grob Twin, and we find it very
comfortable.

I am a big guy 6' 1" and 235lb and have no problem sitting in front or
back.

It definitely has a better glide than an ASK21 and we regularly have
seen 40 in still air.
Admittedly the French are not the most responsive, but we have always
been satisfied in the end.

It is very easy to handle on the ground, being a nose dragger with
only 28lbs on the tail skid with no pilots in the front.

It is a little heavy on aileron when rolling into a thermal, and
needs a boot fall of it's ample rudder to make a quick entry, but once
centred, roll forces a very harmonious and not heavy at all for an
18.8m glider.
Are you sure you are not thinking of it's younger sister the SF34
Alliance?

Cheers
Mark




On Oct 22, 3:01*pm, Rex wrote:
Jacek, I was the Centrair rep/dealer from 85-1988.
In 1987 I flew the Marianne in Leblanc and showed it in 88 at the
Colorado springs SSA convention.
I could not have been less impressed. *Both cockpits are small and
have poor ergonomics. *i am not a big guy but wore a blister on my
elbow during a 35 minute flight.
It was not particularly nice to fly but it flew. *It was billed to be
40:1 + but as I recall it did not seem to be any better than an ASK
21. *I was comparing it to the ASK 21 and was unsuccessful in selling
even the factory demonstrator. *It went back to France.
There is no US type certificate and never will be. *Centrair pulled
out of the US market in 1989 and never looked back. *I have found it
possible but difficult to deal with the factory. *Centrair has refused
to translate the *3000 hr life limit general inspection of the Pegasus
101 for the US gliders which renders the glider worthless at 3000 hrs
tis.
As far as I know, all gliders manufactured in Europe have a 3000 hour
life limit which can be extended with inspection intervals.

Rex Mayes

I always preferred the Marianne to the Ginger.

Paul

"Fish" wrote in message
...
Gee Rex, thats a bit harsh!!! I own a half share in a Marianne, and
everyone who has flown it says it handles better than an ASK21, a
Grob, or a Janus.
It is very benign and difficult to spin, although it will if provoked
with a very high nose.
The cockpit is way better than a Grob Twin, and we find it very
comfortable.

I am a big guy 6' 1" and 235lb and have no problem sitting in front or
back.

It definitely has a better glide than an ASK21 and we regularly have
seen 40 in still air.
Admittedly the French are not the most responsive, but we have always
been satisfied in the end.

It is very easy to handle on the ground, being a nose dragger with
only 28lbs on the tail skid with no pilots in the front.

It is a little heavy on aileron when rolling into a thermal, and
needs a boot fall of it's ample rudder to make a quick entry, but once
centred, roll forces a very harmonious and not heavy at all for an
18.8m glider.
Are you sure you are not thinking of it's younger sister the SF34
Alliance?

Cheers
Mark




On Oct 22, 3:01 pm, Rex wrote:
Jacek, I was the Centrair rep/dealer from 85-1988.
In 1987 I flew the Marianne in Leblanc and showed it in 88 at the
Colorado springs SSA convention.
I could not have been less impressed. Both cockpits are small and
have poor ergonomics. i am not a big guy but wore a blister on my
elbow during a 35 minute flight.
It was not particularly nice to fly but it flew. It was billed to be
40:1 + but as I recall it did not seem to be any better than an ASK
21. I was comparing it to the ASK 21 and was unsuccessful in selling
even the factory demonstrator. It went back to France.
There is no US type certificate and never will be. Centrair pulled
out of the US market in 1989 and never looked back. I have found it
possible but difficult to deal with the factory. Centrair has refused
to translate the 3000 hr life limit general inspection of the Pegasus
101 for the US gliders which renders the glider worthless at 3000 hrs
tis.
As far as I know, all gliders manufactured in Europe have a 3000 hour
life limit which can be extended with inspection intervals.

Rex Mayes

Paul, that's such a bad joke... I can't resist following up with one
of my own...

We all know that the Marianne is a good climber. Wasn't it a few years
that she got busted by the Feds for getting high?

On Oct 22, 2:46*pm, KevinFinke wrote:
Paul, that's such a bad joke... I can't resist following up with one
of my own...

We all know that the Marianne is a good climber. Wasn't it a few years
that she got busted by the Feds for getting high?

I think that was Mary Jane.

Sorry.

I will admit my bias toward Schleicher. It was 20 years ago and I had
a very difficult relationship with the factory. However, we
demonstrated the glider many times at Vacaville over an 8 month period
and nobody was interested enough to fly it twice. I am glad you like
yours. We have a local club that love their DG 505. I do not like it
at all. But again I compare it to the ASK and Duo Discus.
Rex