FLAPS

"old wives tale."



Now this is going to be a fun thread to watch for a while! :-)



Larry Goddard

01 "Zero One"





"Kilo Charlie" NOSPAMkilocharlie.cox.net wrote in message
news:mpSOe.124815$E95.33431@fed1read01:

"Ted Wagner" wrote in message
news:1124852672.6a09312da6ceee89f29b6a8aae6c53b4@t eranews...
My first glider was a 304CZ (flapped) when I had about 30 hours. No
problems at all.

I much prefer flapped gliders because of the higher performance, and
shorter landing field requirements -- 10 knots, give or take, less energy
when you land. I think that's pretty significant when flying cross-country
and facing limited landout options.

-ted/2NO

I agree with the idea of flaps not being a reason to limit your first glider
purchase. However I don't agree with the old wives tale of flapped gliders
being safer due to their much slower landing speeds and therefore shorter
stopping distances. An appropriately flown approach and touchdown with a
modern standard class glider against the same in a 15 meter ship shows that
they touch down at basically the same speed and stop in the same distance.
What is much more important but gets less press is what kind of brakes you
have and if they work well.

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix