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#1
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What First Glider to own?
I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. (currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark)
My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross-country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. |
#2
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What First Glider to own?
On Dec 2, 1:05*pm, Sparkorama
wrote: I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. *(currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross-country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama buy the best trailer you can afford with an airworthy glider inside it. seriously. |
#3
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What First Glider to own?
I really would not suggest the IS29D2 ....these never had a great reputation
and not many were sold and support with any of the Lark sailplanes can be an issue today since the manufacturer really has no glider production anymore and I suspect part will be an issue.being a metal glider part are a real issue since you can't simply build a rib, skin bulkhead or any of the 1,000's of parts that could be specific to just this one glider. There will just be many far better choices than this one tim Please visit the Wings & Wheels website at www.wingsandwheels.com "Sparkorama" wrote in message ... I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. (currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross-country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5668 (20101202) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5668 (20101202) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com |
#4
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What First Glider to own?
You should definitely buy a [ insert name of random older glider] -
they're cheap now, they don't give up much to the newer ships below 80 knots, and I was able to outclimb anything in mine. Some people say their handling is twitchy or their airbrakes are ineffective or they're prone to death spirals, but those people are just incompetent pilots. The wings are a bit heavy to rig but that's what dolly's are for. Some people say the cockpit is too small, but I'm seven feet tall and I fit just fine. Make sure it comes with a decent trailer. On Dec 2, 11:05*am, Sparkorama wrote: I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. *(currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross-country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama |
#5
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What First Glider to own?
At 19:54 02 December 2010, Tony wrote:
On Dec 2, 1:05=A0pm, Sparkorama wrote: I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. =A0(currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross- country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama buy the best trailer you can afford with an airworthy glider inside it. seriously. So long as it isn't a DG or sadly an LS, you might find spares very expensive to come by (see other threads) |
#6
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What First Glider to own?
On Dec 2, 11:05*am, Sparkorama
wrote: I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. *(currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross-country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama You don't say what you want to do/what goals you have for your soaring, but for XC, ease of rigging/derigging, a nice trailer, light well coordinated handling and 40:1'ish performance are all good things in my book. Ease or repair, a relatively large user base and factory support are worth a lot. For me: I would find a partner and look at a used standard class glass ship ASW-24, Discus, LS4, DG-303 and get one with a Cobra trailer. For any of these gliders automatic control connection are a big plus. I'd rather fly a shared nice glider on half the weekends than a "bargain" glider that costs half the amount every weekend. Darryl |
#7
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What First Glider to own?
Be aware that if you buy an older DG or sadly LS you will find
maintenance very expensive due to the attitude of the present owner of the factory. See other threads and/or DG website. At 20:04 02 December 2010, Liam wrote: You should definitely buy a [ insert name of random older glider] - they're cheap now, they don't give up much to the newer ships below 80 knots, and I was able to outclimb anything in mine. Some people say their handling is twitchy or their airbrakes are ineffective or they're prone to death spirals, but those people are just incompetent pilots. The wings are a bit heavy to rig but that's what dolly's are for. Some people say the cockpit is too small, but I'm seven feet tall and I fit just fine. Make sure it comes with a decent trailer. On Dec 2, 11:05=A0am, Sparkorama wrote: I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. =A0(currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross- country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama |
#8
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What First Glider to own?
On Dec 2, 1:16*pm, Nigel Cottrell wrote:
At 19:54 02 December 2010, Tony wrote: On Dec 2, 1:05=A0pm, Sparkorama wrote: I'm getting back into the sport after a long hiatus and flying in the Boston area. I'll be putting some winter flying time in and I'm considering buying my first glider once I'm back to comfortable solos and my private license. (Naturally, I won't fly anything until I am competent and ready). Any suggestions on a first glider? Because of my price range, I realize I'll be looking at some older birds. I would say my preferences are as follows. Under 20k, easy to fly, easy to maintain and safe. Naturally, I'd like to see some decent glide performance, just thinking that some future performance would be good for keeping the plane for some time. =A0(currently I'm considering an IS29D2 Lark) My club has competent instructors and the following fleet (winter flying in only the 2-33): 1 Puchacz (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, aerobatic) 3 Blanik L-23 (two place, 30/1 performance; advanced trainer, sightseeing) 1 Blanik L-33 solo (single place, 30/1 performance; cross- country, sightseeing) 1 Schweitzer 1-34 (single place, 34/1 performance) 1 Pilatus B-4 (single place, 35/1 performance; cross-country, aerobatic) 1 Schweizer 2-33A (two place, 23/1 performance; trainer) 1 Schweizer 1-26E (single place, 23/1 performance; aerobatic) Your thoughts would be appreciated. -- Sparkorama buy the best trailer you can afford with an airworthy glider inside it. seriously. So long as it isn't a DG or sadly an LS, you might find spares very expensive to come by (see other threads) What Darrell says! If a partnership is a possibility, it would definitely be my recommendation. My first ship was a 19m Jantar-1, which I really enjoyed except for a few issues: 1) The one-piece wing panels are heavy. Fellow pilots would hide when I arrived at the field to rig! It only became a fun glider to fly after I snagged hangar space. 2) The trailer was a British home-built piece of cr@p! A lousy trailer will always bug you. Mike If it lives in the trailer, make sure you have a decent one with good rigging aids. |
#9
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What First Glider to own?
On Dec 2, 11:54*am, Tony wrote:
buy the best trailer you can afford with an airworthy glider inside it. seriously. What he said. A mediocre glider with a nice trailer and good fittings is a lot more operational than a nice glider with mediocre trailer and fittings. All else being equal, more operational gets you farther and faster than more performance most days of the week. Bob K. |
#10
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What First Glider to own?
On Dec 2, 3:08*pm, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
On Dec 2, 11:54*am, Tony wrote: buy the best trailer you can afford with an airworthy glider inside it. seriously. What he said. A mediocre glider with a nice trailer and good fittings is a lot more operational than a nice glider with mediocre trailer and fittings. All else being equal, more operational gets you farther and faster than more performance most days of the week. Bob K. or do like i did and get a mediocre glider with a mediocre trailer! but in my defense, it was the best i could afford. |
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