Maybe back to the LS4

Hi guys,

Thanks again for all of the advise over the last few
months. I am now down to the Cirrus, Jantar, and again
the LS4. The only concern about the LS4 maybe the
condition of the gel coat. The Cirrus has a bit of
gel coat cracking, the Jantar has no problems with
the surface (poly paint). One of the problems with
purchasing a US glider is that there is no experimental
class so that limits me to unmodified gliders that
have an approval in Canada. Any advise is still appreciated.

Jeff

Jeff Runciman wrote:
Hi guys,

Thanks again for all of the advise over the last few
months. I am now down to the Cirrus, Jantar, and again
the LS4. The only concern about the LS4 maybe the
condition of the gel coat.

Is this a real concern? Here in clubs at least, people could not care less
about the state of the gel coat. It has never forbidden a glider to fly, and
has very limited impact on performances. The LS4 is *the* standard glider
per excellence, easy to fly, reasonably good performing, if you cannot afford
a Discus. The only other (cheaper) equivalent option could have been the
Pegase, but not in the current situation.


--

Michel TALON

I agree, having a good gel coat is really for cosmetic
reasons - and from a resale point of view. However,
dont be worried if the gel coat is not up to scratch
- you could always get the glider now (at a cheaper
price) and when or if you can afford a re-gel - do
it then! The LS4 is a fantastic glider and the gel
coat is not going to affect it in any significant
way other than good looks. You can usually get away
with just sanding down and touch ups of problem areas
anyhow.

JR

At 08:48 31 March 2006, Michel Talon wrote:
Jeff Runciman wrote:
Hi guys,

Thanks again for all of the advise over the last few
months. I am now down to the Cirrus, Jantar, and
again
the LS4. The only concern about the LS4 maybe the
condition of the gel coat.

Is this a real concern? Here in clubs at least, people
could not care less
about the state of the gel coat. It has never forbidden
a glider to fly, and
has very limited impact on performances. The LS4 is
*the* standard glider
per excellence, easy to fly, reasonably good performing,
if you cannot afford
a Discus. The only other (cheaper) equivalent option
could have been the
Pegase, but not in the current situation.


--

Michel TALON

.. One of the problems with
purchasing a US glider is that there is no experimental
class so that limits me to unmodified gliders that
have an approval in Canada.

I'm surprised by that statement. My LS-4 is rated Experimental,
purchased in the US and never questioned.

BTW, I've logged over 400 hours in this ship and love its every
attribute. Sure, the gel coat shows some checking, but knowledgable
people have assured me it in no way affects performance, and I haven't
noticed any changes, myself.

One suggestion. Wax the wings heavily and maintain the wax coat with
re-waxing several times a year. Besides UV deterioration, gel coats
fall apart due to moisture migration and regular waxing stops (or
nearly stops) both kinds of deterioration. I use paste wax for
durability, and this year I started with mold-release wax for a super
seal. It doesn't polish to a very high sheen, but it's tough stuff, and
sure seals the gel coat. Then I finished off with a second coat of
standard past wax.

I recall someone mentioning that the LS-4 could be going back into
production? I understand that DG took over the new model manufacture.
Any truth to this or just hogwash. There would have to be a good market
for a less expensive ship of older tech. but respectable performance
non the less?
Craig

wrote:
I recall someone mentioning that the LS-4 could be going back into
production? I understand that DG took over the new model manufacture.
Any truth to this or just hogwash. There would have to be a good market
for a less expensive ship of older tech. but respectable performance
non the less?
Craig

Its not build "somwhere in Eastern Europe" - here is a web site:
http://www.monte-baldo.de/Flugzeuge/...uge_Start.html
And for the new price you better of buying SZD-55.

As far as I am aware, the LS4 has never been out of
production. A version called the LS4b is (or at least
has been) made under licence somewhere in Eastern
Europe, and features fully self connecting controls,
unlike the original.

Derek Copeland

At 19:54 01 April 2006, wrote:
I recall someone mentioning that the LS-4 could be
going back into
production? I understand that DG took over the new
model manufacture.
Any truth to this or just hogwash. There would have
to be a good market
for a less expensive ship of older tech. but respectable
performance
non the less?
Craig

Derek Copeland wrote:
As far as I am aware, the LS4 has never been out of
production. A version called the LS4b is (or at least
has been) made under licence somewhere in Eastern
Europe, and features fully self connecting controls,
unlike the original.

The LS4b (with self-connecting controls) was manufactured by Rolladen
Schneider, and they were still producing them in small numbers right up
until their demise. DG thought they had bought all of the assets of
Rolladen Schneider (by then called LS Flugzeugbau), but apparently
another company also thought they owned them. Much legal confusion
ensued, DG ended up with the design rights and molds for the LS8, LS9,
and LS10, plus the LS spare parts inventory. The other company
apparently ended up with the molds for the LS4b (and possibly 6). Last
I heard, the molds were supposedly at the Sportine Aviacija (aka LAK)
factory in Lithuania, but AFAIK, no new LS4b models have been produced...

Marc Ramsey wrote:
Last
I heard, the molds were supposedly at the Sportine Aviacija (aka LAK)
factory in Lithuania, but AFAIK, no new LS4b models have been produced...

I heard that the LS4 is available for order through AMS and that they
recently delivered a new one in Europe. I haven't seen any pricing ,
but I am sure it's in the realm of the DG303, HpH 304 etc.

Peter