LS-7

The LS series of gliders has seem to always be at the top of the score
sheets, LS-4, LS-6, LS-8, what happened to the LS-7? This does tell me
that however small the glider market is, it is still an efficent
market. What was the 7 lacking that caused pilots' not to buy and fly
this glider?

I tried out a demonstrator LS7 when they first came
out. The main problem with it was it was too optimised
for high speed flight. It wouldn't really circle much
below about 55 knots and even at that speed flew so
nose high you couldn't see where you were going. Not
so good for our tiny UK thermals! I think the problem
was that the wings were set on the fuselage at too
small an angle of incidence. I understand that fitting
winglets helps the circling performance, and most LS7s
in the UK are now fitted with them. The LS8 is much
better, but a lot more expensive on the secondhand
market. Both the LS4 (lovely glider) and the LS7 are
eligible for the Club Class.

Derek Copeland


At 00:18 04 November 2006, Roger wrote:
The LS series of gliders has seem to always be at the
top of the score
sheets, LS-4, LS-6, LS-8, what happened to the LS-7?
This does tell me
that however small the glider market is, it is still
an efficent
market. What was the 7 lacking that caused pilots'
not to buy and fly
this glider?