First Glider, a few more questions

On Aug 5, 10:33*am, Andy wrote:
...The known downsides to experimental are the program
letter and its associated restrictions...

Not all "Experimental" aircraft have the same limitations. There are
big differences between Amateur-built experimentals and Racing and
Exhibition experimentals.

Unless it says otherwise in the operating limitations (and, again, I
have never seen such a limitation), operators of amateur-built
Experimentals are not required to submit an annual program letter as
is required of operators of post-moratorium racing or exhibition
experimentals.

Thanks, Bob K.

On Aug 5, 10:52*am, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
On Aug 5, 10:33*am, Andy wrote:

...The known downsides to experimental are the program
letter and its associated restrictions...

Not all "Experimental" aircraft have the same limitations. There are
big differences between Amateur-built experimentals and Racing and
Exhibition experimentals.

Unless it says otherwise in the operating limitations (and, again, I
have never seen such a limitation), operators of amateur-built
Experimentals are not required to submit an annual program letter as
is required of operators of post-moratorium racing or exhibition
experimentals.

Thanks, Bob K.


as is required of operators of post-moratorium racing or exhibition
experimentals.

Actually the last 2 lines above vary. I just reapplied for a new
Special Airworhtyness cert and "Negotiated" the Operating Limitations
with the FAA this past
June, 2010 as an Experimental Exhibition/Racing.

I reapplied because when I bought the glider the Special Airworthy
Cert and Operating Limitations did not have the same date and the FAA
had no records of the matching set. The Original Cert was dated in
1984 so perhaps that is pre-moratorium and exempt from the program
letter requirement?

I added the /Racing and got the annual program letter requirement
removed, and it was a painless easy process....I even had the FAA
office do the inspection instead of a DAR, so it cost nothing, and
they were very nice about the whole thing. I was pleasantly
surprised.

I think each FAA office will be different as so many things are up to
interpretation apparently.

Ray

Originally Posted by tstock

Hello everyone,

I am still a student, very close to getting my glider license, but
knee surgery has set me back for a month or two. I am in central
Florida. I have been flying solo for about a year now.

So, sitting around immobilized from knee surgery, wishing I could fly,
I decided it would be a good time to sell all of my junk and start
saving for a glider. I'm getting tired of renting and waiting around
for the Blanik. I may have another kid on the way, so I am frantic
sell mode before all of my extra cash is tied up in baby expenses. My
wife is ok with the purchase since I am basically selling off my old
hobbies to buy the glider.

I had originally decided on a 1-26 for a first glider. The price is
right, parts are out there, easy to find, easy to fly, and very easy
to land out in tight places. At the moment I have about $5,000 saved
towards my glider and I see quite a few in this price range. Problem
is, I am 195 pounds in shorts and a T-shirt without chute, and around
215 pounds with chute, handheld radio, water bottle, breakfast, etc.
As far as I can tell a chute would put me over max or very near max
pilot weight in a 1-26 depending on the version. Also, recovering the
1-26 which would likely be required could add a couple of thousand to
the cost... more than once. So a $4500 1-26 could really end up a
$7000 project and mean not flying for most of the season while the
work is done.

My next option is to save another two to three thousand (I am not
finished selling old toys) and hope to find a good deal on a 1-34. No
recovering required, better performance, no weight issue, could tie it
down through the season, but not an easy plane to find, or to find
parts for. This is the plane I really would like to have ... but
availability is extremely limited, parts are expensive, and I don't
see them often.

I am in hot humid rainy florida, so a wood glider is not something I
am willing to consider, this rules out gliders like the Ka6.

I am sure there is an old but great glider I am missing .. a 1-23D or
E? I feel like this is like the 1-26 with slightly better glide
ratio, but same best L/D speed, so performance similar to a 1-26.
This could mean more tows on windy days and more expense in the long
run, and I am not sure about parts availability.

Any advice appreciated. I realize 5K - 8K USD isn't much but I know
something is out there.

Thanks
Tom

Can you post some photos of it? I want to see your glider. For me it is fair price.