PiK20b

In article ,
phil collin wrote:

Ok,
Glen, would you agree with Jack on the aero tow speed? seems a bit on
the high side that's all. We fly IS30's, IS28's, Blaniks, Darts, Pirats,
Skylarks, libelles etc and we generally tow them all at 60 Knots without
any issue, does the PiK fly better with a quicker tow?
also, the reading I've done suggests best L/D at 63 Knots, does that
sound right?

Thanks to you and Jack


I fly a 301 Libelle, towing on the CG hook. It's the CG hook that is the
issue with slow tows. Gliders generally have small elevators, some
smaller or less effective than others. Towing on the CG hook loads up
the tailplane more than towing with a nose hook, so, at low tow speeds,
one can run out of elevator authority. This is especially dangerous in
gusty conditions where there may be momentary hard yanks on the tow line
adding to the tendency to pitch up. God help you if you have an aft CG
in that situation. I have had a tow or two where the speed got down
below 50 knots. That was very uncomfortable and I was reaching for the
tow release in each case while yelling at the tuggy for more speed.

Phil, I've been away for the day and I see much good info has been added. I
forgot to mention the CG hook considerations. I have never felt the need to
specify a tow speed. The tow pilots in my club deal with a lot of glass
ships and whatever they are using for an average has been fine for me. I
would say this is typically 60kt or so. I have experienced no problems with
the CG hook, but respect the slow tow and gust advice that others have
given - make sure the trim is full forward for takeoff. I usually tow with
+8 flap for over the nose visibility (this is at/after liftoff - the full
neg on takeoff roll definitely applies).

I will amplify the advice about not trying to limit your flap setting for
your first pattern. Use whatever it takes! I will also amplify the bit
about not having extra speed in the flare - you can/will go a long ways in
ground effect if you flare with extra speed. I try to hold 55kt in the
pattern, which will let me roll flaps in and out at will.

No matter what the previous part of the approach has been like, I find that
I usually have 90deg rolled on for touchdown. This provides a consistency
in control sensitivity. Almost immediately after touchdown I roll the flaps
back up to full neg to maintaian roll control.

As far as max l/d speed, it depends on your weight and model, but I use 54
kts at 35.1 kg/sq m. This is a PIK-20A - no flap interconnect or carbon.

Glen

"phil collin" wrote in message
...
Ok,
Glen, would you agree with Jack on the aero tow speed? seems a bit on the
high side that's all. We fly IS30's, IS28's, Blaniks, Darts, Pirats,
Skylarks, libelles etc and we generally tow them all at 60 Knots without
any issue, does the PiK fly better with a quicker tow?
also, the reading I've done suggests best L/D at 63 Knots, does that sound
right?

Thanks to you and Jack

Phil

Hi
Go to Jim Tsillas homepage http://www.appledor.net/tsillas/soaring/ .
Here you find good descriptions on take off and landing, and much
useful information on the Pik.
Matts


phil collin skrev:

I'm about to become the owner of a PiK20b.
I have never flown one before and wondered if there were any
owners/pilots of this particular model who could offer some words of
wisdom on what to expect. I've read with interest the "pat your head rub
your tummy" stories of flaring and winding the flaps up to negative to
weight the tail at the same time so you can use the nose wheel. I'm
guessing 30 to 45 degrees of flap on the approach is going to be like
spoilers.
Looking forward to some responses. I take delivery this Saturday and the
met looks great at the moment.

Phil

Phil,

One more thing that should be mentioned... I was given a blessing the
first time I assembled the PIK alone. One of the pip pins that connect
the flaps and ailerons was not through the ball, but looked OK from the
outside. Upon towing the glider to the flight line, one of my flaps
drooped a bit, showing me just how easily it is to make a mistake in
rigging the wing-flight controls. Please check and double check... and
enjoy your new ship.

Jack

Thank you for the link. Good information!

I have never flown a PIK-20B. My flap-only sailplane experience is in a
Schreder HP-16T and a HP-14.

A few years ago Bob Kuykendall wrote an article to assist new Schreder
pilots. Much of the information should also apply to the PIK-20B.
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/St..._HP_flight.htm

Wayne
HP-14 N990 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi
Go to Jim Tsillas homepage http://www.appledor.net/tsillas/soaring/ .
Here you find good descriptions on take off and landing, and much
useful information on the Pik.
Matts


phil collin skrev: