ASH-26E evaluation

On Thursday, September 20, 2012 6:49:18 PM UTC-7, Gabriel Duford wrote:
Hi,

I am considering an upgrade for my ASW-20 and would like to know more about the ASH-26E. I am interested in every aspect of the glider (comfort, maintenance, ease of operation, etc) and mainly about performance as a glider.

I have some time on the ASW-27. From my research, it seems that the performance would be similar to the ASW-27 in climb and cruise



What about your experience? How does the ASH-26E compare to the ASW-27 in climb, cruise, control harmony, etc?



Any experience flying with an ASG-29/Ventus 2c(x)/DG-800 in the same conditions? How did the ASH-26E do in comparison?



Being an older design, I expect it to have less performance than the newer designs, but by how much? Would it really be a pilot thing in a competition?



I fly in the East (Quebec) where conditions are pretty weak (a 4kts average day is a really good day, usually 1.5kts to 2kts) and I am starting at regional/national competition.



Thanks,



gabriel

I have found the performance of my 26E to be comparable to DG 800 or Ventus 2C at the same wing loading. Maybe slightly better than a ASW27 (at the same wing loading). This is based on numerous 40 - 60 mile side-by-side glides with those three types. I have had no glides with a 29 or 31.

For light conditions you will have a higher wing loading than the lighter non-engined gliders. However if you remove the engine from the ASH26E (easily done and still with proper CG balance) it will out climb almost anything. I flew once that way and climbed right up past some modern 15 meter ships, circling inside them at around 38 knots.

The cockpit is quite comfortable, especially for a tall person. I can't get the canopy closed on a 27. The fuselage on a 26 is about 4" longer in the cockpit.