ASW 27 vs. Ventus 2b

ASW 27's and Ventus 2B's are are both 15 meter (flapped) and
sailplanes -- nice ones at that!

Should they be considered equivalents or are there reasons to prefer
one over the other (based on performance, handling, price, niceness,
holding value, maintainability, availability, etc., etc.)?

Are there other sailplanes that deserve to be mentioned with these (15
meter, flapped, similar performance, similar vintage, etc.)?

One thing is that the ASW 27 polar is on the website at
http://www.alexander-schleicher.de/index_e.htm ; I can't find similar
information from Schempp-Hirth on the Ventus.

I've also noticed that the 27 has a front hinging canopy and the
Ventus' hinges on the side (maybe that's why the V is listed as 5kg
lighter). Min sink for the 27 is .52 m/s vs .51 for the Ventus.

The 27 has max/manuvering speeds of 285/215 kph (154/116 kts) vs.
Ventus' 270/180 kph -- that's a difference -- is the 27 faster?

I'd be perfectly happy to find out that preferences are sort of Ford
or Chevy like... just curious (and still dreamin').

Eric
ER

ER:

I currently own an ASG-29 (which is identical to the -27 when in 15M
configuration), and I previously owned a Ventus 2C, which (when in 15M
configuration) is identical to the Ventus 2B. The V2B has a slightly
thicker cord and slightly larger wing area, which gives it an edge
over the 27 on days that require lots of thermaling. Conversely, the
27/29's higher wing loading gives it the edge on strong days when not
much turning is required.

I fly in Arizona, and if I flew on the east coast, I would have kept
my V2C.

But I don't like the Schempp-Hirth side-hinged canopy. HATED it.

Don't read too much into polars or sink rates -- the important thing
is the glider's performance across a speed range, which is why (I
think) Schleicher doesn't like to publish polars. Hard to capture on
flapped ships and complex airfoils.

But they are both fantastic ships and you couldn't go wrong with
either.

-ted/2NO

"Are there other sailplanes that deserve to be mentioned with these
(15
meter, flapped, similar performance, similar vintage, etc.)? "

Diana-2 has better performance than either at just about any speed, as
reported by competition pilots flying against it and as measured by
Johnson. It also has a large forward hinged bubble canopy like DG. It
does have a side stick.

On Aug 8, 9:08*pm, tommytoyz wrote:
"Are there other sailplanes that deserve to be mentioned with these
(15
meter, flapped, similar performance, similar vintage, etc.)? "

Diana-2 has better performance than either at just about any speed, as
reported by competition pilots flying against it and as measured by
Johnson. It also has a large forward hinged bubble canopy like DG. It
does have a side stick.

Hi there,

Side stick is quite comfortable. I fly Diana and don't see any issues
with the stick location. The only thing about Diana is that it has a
fairly small cockpit. I am 5'10", 186 lbs. and my seatback location is
on the last hole and my rudder pedals are in the most forward
location. If you are taller than that you would probably have to
remove the seatback but I would not recommend it. But both gliders,
the 27 and V2 are excellent ships but don't discount the Diana.

Jacek
Pasco, WA
Diana 561LB

I'd be perfectly happy to find out that preferences are sort of Ford
or Chevy like... *just curious (and still dreamin').

Eric
ER

You have better odds of surviving drilling a 27 into the ground with
it's crash-test derived safety cockpit... but the Duckhawk will
probably smoke them all. (but don't drill that one in!)

-Paul

On Aug 8, 8:14*pm, Itsaplane wrote:
ASW 27's and Ventus 2B's are are both 15 meter (flapped) and
sailplanes -- nice ones at that!

Should they be considered equivalents or are there reasons to prefer
one over the other (based on performance, handling, price, niceness,
holding value, maintainability, availability, etc., etc.)?

Are there other sailplanes that deserve to be mentioned with these (15
meter, flapped, similar performance, similar vintage, etc.)?

One thing is that the ASW 27 polar is on the website athttp://www.alexander-schleicher.de/index_e.htm; I can't find similar
information from Schempp-Hirth on the Ventus.

I've also noticed that the 27 has a front hinging canopy and the
Ventus' hinges on the side (maybe that's why the V is listed as 5kg
lighter). *Min sink for the 27 is .52 m/s vs .51 for the Ventus.

The 27 has max/manuvering speeds of 285/215 kph (154/116 kts) vs.
Ventus' 270/180 kph -- that's a difference -- is the 27 faster?

I'd be perfectly happy to find out that preferences are sort of Ford
or Chevy like... *just curious (and still dreamin').

Eric
ER

They are both great ships - so dream away.

There isn't enough actual performance difference to worry about. For
me the real difference came in how well the various ships fit me -
both in terms of ergonomics and handling. One design was just a better
match or me. Human factors can be a real consideration in your overall
performance - if you're cramped, uncomfortable or have to expend more
energy to fly the ship well it will ultimately affect the overall
performance of the man-machine system.

At the appropriate time I'd recommend you spend some time sitting in
the cockpits of ships you're considering (demo flights are great too
if you can swing it).

9B