EB 29 flys # 711 reporting.

On Sep 19, 4:50*pm, Andreas Maurer wrote:
On Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:25:19 -0700 (PDT), AK
wrote:

It is not possible if you don't think outside the box.

I am not saying build an old technology old design glider. I am saying
design an easy to build glider with a 40:1 performance at good speed
and build in large numbers.

Prove it - and sell 150 units per year over the next decade.
Then I'll believe you.

There have been quite a few attempts to build a cheap glider (and I'm
sure some out-of-the-box thinking took place) - none was ever
successful.

Andreas

Over 100 Russia AC-4 and -5 variants were manufactured, sold &
delivered (including a few kits). IIRC, 90+ were to North America,
with a handful to the UK and one, two, or three to the EU. Had the
manufacturer not suffered terminal hubris and jerked around Bill Ard,
but continued to listen and respond appropriately to his input, I
think production and sale may have continued through the present. It
may even have led to higher-performance variants.

IMO, the presence of a market for a reasonably-priced, reasonable-
performance (30:1, 36:1) sailplane is indisputable. Production may
need to be in Eastern Europe or other lower-cost labor market, but
build it and it will sell. Ah, yes: the PW-5. That design sank for
various reasons which need not be enumerated here. That it went away
while the Russia continued to sell proves my point.

LM