What First Glider to own?

On Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:41:33 -0800, brianDG303 wrote:


Sparky,
A few years ago I made a quasi-scientific weighted chart to determine
the best glider to buy, and in your price range it's a Libelle. Very
good value, light and easy to rig. Might give it a look.

I've had mine since mid-2006 and love it: easy to rig, light & precise
handling at all speeds, excellent all-round visibility and its the most
spin-resistant single seater I've flown. Yes, the air-brakes are weak,
but if slips very well and controllably - a fair trade-off I think.

However, do sit in one before going out to buy - they definitely suit
long, lean people rather than the well-fed or broad shouldered. Its a
great help to have the over-shoulder stowage: this is a semi-circular bag
that clips onto the spars behind the seat. Their only serious issue is a
tendency to snap-rotate on a winch launch - if you get one and want to
winch it, make sure you're winch current and GET A BRIEFING FROM SOMEBODY
WHO HAS WINCHED A LIBELLE before you try it: there is no guidance about
this in the POH. Aero towing is simple and easy.

Apart from that, what Aerodyne says: fly as many different club and
rental gliders before you buy as possible to get an idea of performance,
comfort and generally what suits you.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |