13.5 Meter World Championships

My ideal glider would be something with Discus performance & FES.
Many of the pilots in my club fly Discus / LS4 performance gliders, or
lower performance club class.

The GP14 claims to have mid 40s performance, as does the original Discus.
If there was a FES option I'd seriously consider it.

The problem with the PW5 was it had no performance & was ugly as sin.

KN

At 15:07 29 July 2015, Gliding Guru wrote:
Why would anyone spend money on a 13.5 glider? Big mistake of the IGC t
permit the class. Even bigger mistake of the Manufacturers to buil
something for it. Glorified PW5's and we all know how that ended!

On Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 7:00:10 PM UTC+1, Kevin Neave wrote:
My ideal glider would be something with Discus performance & FES.
Many of the pilots in my club fly Discus / LS4 performance gliders, or
lower performance club class.

The GP14 claims to have mid 40s performance, as does the original Discus.
If there was a FES option I'd seriously consider it.

The problem with the PW5 was it had no performance & was ugly as sin.

KN


Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the prop moustache?

Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:15:10 PM UTC-4, Al McNamara wrote:
Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

Looking forward to someone using FES recover to recover from a premature termination of tow.

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 4:31:34 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:15:10 PM UTC-4, Al McNamara wrote:
Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

Looking forward to someone using FES recover to recover from a premature termination of tow.

Well, I've had my Lak17B FES for almost 4 years and fortunately I have never had a premature termination of tow, but I always have it ready to go during a tow should it be needed. On several occasions I have used it instead of having to land for a relight. It does reliably start within a second or two and there is no mast to extend which definitely saves time. Now, I have seen a video of an auto launch on the FES website where a LAK 17a is able to climb away after dropping the rope at perhaps 200(?) feet, so I do believe it can safely be done as long as there is sufficient altitude. What exactly would be "sufficient" altitude depends on many factors and I am sure could be the subject of a very interesting discussion....Thx - Renny

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:31:34 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:15:10 PM UTC-4, Al McNamara wrote:
Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

Looking forward to someone using FES recover to recover from a premature termination of tow.

I will assume we will see a "broken glider w/FES" from a PTT if they're NOT FLYING THE GLIDER.
Sorta like the guy (decades ago) that had a PTT (at a "famous site in the US") call his wife and say, "I'm going to crash!", just before he crashed.

I guess the "aviate" bit was lost on them.......

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 5:02:46 PM UTC-6, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:31:34 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:15:10 PM UTC-4, Al McNamara wrote:
Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

Looking forward to someone using FES recover to recover from a premature termination of tow.

I will assume we will see a "broken glider w/FES" from a PTT if they're NOT FLYING THE GLIDER.
Sorta like the guy (decades ago) that had a PTT (at a "famous site in the US") call his wife and say, "I'm going to crash!", just before he crashed.

I guess the "aviate" bit was lost on them.......

Hopefully, one can actually aviate and rotate one FES switch at the same time....

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 7:08:25 PM UTC-4, Renny wrote:

Hopefully, one can actually aviate and rotate one FES switch at the same time....

Drop nose, turn on FES (I guess).

Have you practiced this in your Lak17B? Do you have to worry about running into the tow plane or do you turn slightly to the right?

On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 11:15:10 PM UTC+1, Al McNamara wrote:
Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

But speed of starting is irrelevant for self launching and for self-retrieving speed of starting is a tiny factor compared with probability of starting which, for any with well designed and maintained electric powered glider, will be a near certainty.

Website on the GP14. One of the best websites I have seen for a glider manufacturer. Good sign!

http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-14-velo-0