Buying my first glider

Hi I bought a glider in Alberta and had a friend working there inspect it
and followed his recommendation to buy it, a good decision. Now the fun
story of getting it to Quebec, a 4 day trip. I found a student driving to
Montreal over the Easter weekend. Sent all the info to him which he did not
read, his father was a glider pilot and he thought he knew which glider to
take. After 3 days and nights of driving with his girlfriend he got to our
meeting place with the wrong trailer. Gilles


Chortle! It's been said the difference between comedy and tragedy is comedy
happens to someone else...

For the record, all of my personal glider purchasing trips were GOOD
adventures...even though a friend and I once had to beg and wheedle to be
allowed back into our native country from Canada one time after he picked up a
"timed-out" L13 some years ago.

Bob W.

To balance others' fond remembrances of road trips... my experience of retrieving my new glider (just 700 miles) is bad.

Due to my primary location, I have low tolerance for traffic and drivers in metropolitan areas. Being the slow guy with the big trailer and trying to change lanes?? Awwrgh!

At this point, if I had to do it over again, I would hire a professional driver for the initial long retrieve.

I understand that hauling gliders in trailers is part of the sport. I co-locate seasonally at two airports 80 miles apart, so I'm getting more comfortable with this necessity and I plan to gradually increase my range.

Absolutely get it inspected. Preferably by someone that a) knows gliders b) knows paperwork c) isn't closely tied to the glider or seller.

Properly repaired, damage history is no big deal, but you want to know about it up front. I don't recommend having the person who's been signing the Logbook do the inspection unless you personally know them. They will have no interest in highlighting anything questionable about the glider or the paperwork since they've signed their name to past inspections.

Since most gliders are Experimental, any A&P can sign off on the Conditional Inspection. Which means it may or may not have been given a proper inspection. Lot's of people out there with an A&P that will help a friend out and sign the logbook so they can go flying that day. If the inspections have routinely been signed off by a reputable shop, this is less of a concern.

My advice would be to find someone reputable to perform a full inspection of the glider. They may as well sign off on the Conditional/Annual Inspection while they are at it. Then you've got a good understanding of the state the glider is in from the beginning.

Chances are it is fine, but it is money well spent in my book and a fraction of what you are spending on the glider and getting it home.

Morgan


On Friday, November 1, 2013 3:52:07 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Pilots,



Thanks for all your help in the prior thread about selecting a ship:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...ng/USacPAI8Pm4



I've decided on an ASW 27, Ventus 2, or LS6. If a pristine ASW20 or Ventus C were to show up, I would strongly consider one of those as well.



There is a ship I'm considering in South Carolina. I'm in contact with the seller, however, he seems busy and has only sent minimal info and a few pictures.



I was considering having an A&P person inspect the ship before I went through the expense of a flight from Seattle to South Carolina. Is that a good idea? Has anyone done that? Any tips on what to ask for?



If the inspection works out, and I fly out and decide I like the ship, does anyone know of a company or service to use to ship a glider across the country (and can recommend)?



Thanks!



-Jason

On Friday, November 8, 2013 11:26:57 AM UTC-5, Morgan wrote:
Absolutely get it inspected. Preferably by someone that a) knows gliders b) knows paperwork c) isn't closely tied to the glider or seller. Properly repaired, damage history is no big deal, but you want to know about it up front. I don't recommend having the person who's been signing the Logbook do the inspection unless you personally know them. They will have no interest in highlighting anything questionable about the glider or the paperwork since they've signed their name to past inspections. Since most gliders are Experimental, any A&P can sign off on the Conditional Inspection. Which means it may or may not have been given a proper inspection. Lot's of people out there with an A&P that will help a friend out and sign the logbook so they can go flying that day. If the inspections have routinely been signed off by a reputable shop, this is less of a concern. My advice would be to find someone reputable to perform a full inspection of the glider. They may as well sign off on the Conditional/Annual Inspection while they are at it. Then you've got a good understanding of the state the glider is in from the beginning. Chances are it is fine, but it is money well spent in my book and a fraction of what you are spending on the glider and getting it home. Morgan On Friday, November 1, 2013 3:52:07 PM UTC-7,

There is no inspection called "conditional inspection". There is an inspection that may be done ny an A&P called an condition inspection. I have seen no reason to expect that an A&P is less likely to properly perform such an inspection than one holding an inspection authorization.
I do agree that an experience independent look is a good idea.
UH

On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 11:13:36 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Friday, November 8, 2013 11:26:57 AM UTC-5, Morgan wrote: Absolutely get it inspected. Preferably by someone that a) knows gliders b) knows paperwork c) isn't closely tied to the glider or seller. Properly repaired, damage history is no big deal, but you want to know about it up front. I don't recommend having the person who's been signing the Logbook do the inspection unless you personally know them. They will have no interest in highlighting anything questionable about the glider or the paperwork since they've signed their name to past inspections. Since most gliders are Experimental, any A&P can sign off on the Conditional Inspection. Which means it may or may not have been given a proper inspection. Lot's of people out there with an A&P that will help a friend out and sign the logbook so they can go flying that day. If the inspections have routinely been signed off by a reputable shop, this is less of a concern. My advice would be to find someone reputable to perform a full inspection of the glider. They may as well sign off on the Conditional/Annual Inspection while they are at it. Then you've got a good understanding of the state the glider is in from the beginning. Chances are it is fine, but it is money well spent in my book and a fraction of what you are spending on the glider and getting it home. Morgan On Friday, November 1, 2013 3:52:07 PM UTC-7, There is no inspection called "conditional inspection". There is an inspection that may be done ny an A&P called an condition inspection. I have seen no reason to expect that an A&P is less likely to properly perform such an inspection than one holding an inspection authorization. I do agree that an experience independent look is a good idea. UH

Just drove 4800 kms in 4 days to pick up a new glider.Had a friend riding shotgun to help with the drive.Also bought unseen based on person's reputation.It was as expected.Road trips can be fun ! :-) D.V

ok Dennis........out with it, what did you get??

Brad

On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 2:02:27 PM UTC-8, Brad wrote:
ok Dennis........out with it, what did you get?? Brad

Top secret Brad! LAK17a

On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:57:25 PM UTC-8, Dennis Vreeken wrote:
Just drove 4800 kms in 4 days to pick up a new glider.Had a friend riding shotgun to help with the drive.Also bought unseen based on person's reputation.It was as expected.Road trips can be fun ! :-) D.V

Nice, congrats on the LAK!

I think that buying a glider sight-unseen is something that's more likely to work out OK when you're buying a newer ship. For many people buying their first glider, they will be looking at an older model. And I would _never_ buy a 15+ year old ship without seeing it in-person; there are too many questionable listings out there, photos don't show all the detail, and its easy to wind up disappointed with the aircraft you thought you were getting. When I bought my DG-300 I traveled to look at 3 different gliders. I don't regret spending ~$1200 in airfare and rental cars; it saved me from making a $30,000 mistake! And the ship I ended up with was absolutely wonderful.

In summary: At a minimum, get a third-party A&P to inspect it. And if at all possible, go see the aircraft yourself!

--Noel

On Friday, November 1, 2013 3:52:07 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Pilots,



Thanks for all your help in the prior thread about selecting a ship:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...ng/USacPAI8Pm4



I've decided on an ASW 27, Ventus 2, or LS6. If a pristine ASW20 or Ventus C were to show up, I would strongly consider one of those as well.



There is a ship I'm considering in South Carolina. I'm in contact with the seller, however, he seems busy and has only sent minimal info and a few pictures.



I was considering having an A&P person inspect the ship before I went through the expense of a flight from Seattle to South Carolina. Is that a good idea? Has anyone done that? Any tips on what to ask for?



If the inspection works out, and I fly out and decide I like the ship, does anyone know of a company or service to use to ship a glider across the country (and can recommend)?



Thanks!



-Jason

I bought an ASH26E this year sightonseen based on the recommendation of people that I trusted. The purchase worked out fine, but the trailer wiring was buggered up and I had to spend an hour or two rewiring the connector. I always come prepared for such contingencies, but many don't. I also replaced the tires which were 8 years old (take my word for it, trailer tire blowouts are no fun!). So don't forget to have the trailer inspected as well as the glider!

Tom

On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 1:42:50 AM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
the trailer wiring was buggered up and I had to spend an hour or two rewiring the connector.

If you are unhappy with the reliability of your trailer to vehicle electrical connection, I recommend upgrading to this http://www.powerwerx.com/powerpole-a...lash-boot.html

This boot uses the Powerpole self-cleaning stainless steel spring contacts.
A lot of people are using Powerpoles for other connections and may have already invested in the crimping tool