Flaps and V-Tails of Death

Hi all,

I'm here to report that I cheated death and survived a flight in a
glider with the dreaded "Landing Flaps and V-Tails of Death". Jim Harper
graciously allowed me to fly his beautiful HP-16. What's an HP-16 you
say? Well, looks to be just like the HP-18 (or I should say the HP-18 is
just like the -16) except that the -16 has a large and comfortable all
metal cockpit instead of the narrow composite cockpit of the -18.

Jim's -16 is equipped with winglets and, as far as I know, the ailerons
are standard (not with the J.D. Colling mod, correct me if I'm wrong
Jim). Center stick. Tow was behind our 180hp Cessna 175 on a 275 foot
long rope. Started out in -2 flap position, went to + 5 at 40 knots. Had
no trouble keeping the wings level. The bird lifted off level and was
easy to fly on tow. Released and tried slow flight (no stalls), flight
up to 90 knots. Steep turns, etc. Well sealed and quiet. Good rudder
response and easy to coordinate compared to my 301 Libelle. More stable
in a thermal than my Libelle. Aileron response was a little slower than
my Libelle at thermaling speeds, but was positive and more than adequate
for centering thermals. Climbed a few hundred feet in a very week
thermal. Very nice thermalling glider.

Landing was the best part. I stayed high and close in the pattern. I
rolled on some flap on downwind, maybe 30 degrees or so. I was way high
on final so I started rolling in more flaps. I never quite got to the
full 90 degrees mark as I had the nose down at a truly obscene angle
just to maintain 50 knots. Steeper than my 301 with the tailchute and
full divebrakes. Steeper than a Mosquito with everything hanging out.
This was more like parachuting than flying. Nothing but dirt out the
front of the canopy. The horizon was visible more towards the top of the
canopy. I aimed at a target and just kept the nose pointed there. I
pulled back on the stick when I ran out of nerve. The bird settled on
with a slight bump of the tailwheel and a little bounce as the main
dropped on (I flared just a bit too much). I have no doubt that I could
easily put this bird in a tiny field much easier than I could my Libelle
(and that is not difficult at all).

So, I'd have to say that all the bad things I've been told about landing
flaps on gliders and V-tails are definitely untrue with respect to the
HP-16. It is a comfortable and easy to fly glider and compares very well
to my Libelle and also to other glass birds, including my favorites for
handling, the Mosquito and LS-4.