Angle of incidence

[quote=Mike C;815406]On May 27, 11:21*pm, Roel Baardman wrote:
After speaking with an instructor about my Pilatus B4 landings, he argued that
the angle of incidence on this glider has a great influence on the landing
characteristics.
I looked it up, and it was only 1.5 degrees. With the tailplane oriented at -3
degrees.

However, I cannot figure out what other gliders have as the angle of
incidence. I have 6 degrees in my head somehow, but I'm not sure where I get
this from. Searching on Google does not give me figures, only stories about
changing it (from Ls6 to Ls8 for example).

I'm therefor wondering: can you tell me the angle of incidence on your glider
if you know it? And how does it effect take-off and landing characteristics?
For example: some people in my club argue that the Discus2 take-off
characteristics are also to be blamed on its angle of incidence.

regards,

Roel

I would be interested in exactly what problems you are encountering on landing. I am interested in the Pilatus B-4 for its aerobatic capabilities. While it would not necessarily be a good cross country airplane, cross country does not interest me all that much.

Having read the B-4 manual I was surprised to see that it did not discuss the landing process to any degree. I fly a SGS 1-34 which recommends a high energy landing and the manual specifically recommends against landings resulting in a tail first or tail strike landing. Somewhat nonintuitive for someone trained in powered taildraggers recommending a full stall, three point type landing in otherwise non windy conditions. Essentially the 1-34 is flown onto the ground and then flown to a stop as mentioned in the manual. I had the good fortune to talk to several pilots with extensive experience in the 1-34 prior to flying it. I would think this would always be advisable as we transition into other aircraft.

Walt