jcoyier wrote:Bob and others interested,
I noticed this got an incredible amount of response on the Oz Report so I know there's a lot of interest and opinions on the subject. I think it would be a great topic and would be willing to work on this if it sounds like a worthy chapter. A couple things come to mind here including the value of a third party view on the topic divorced from any economical attachment to the decision to buy a particular glider (not a distributor, not an instructor) and also some things I have never seen even discussed like control frame fit to the potential buyer or how to interpret all the wing loading data you see in the glider specs and apply this to your decision.
John,
Great idea for a topic. My wife once bought a new glider, sight unseen, that came with a control frame too large for her. She also almost needed a step stool to hook the nose wires to the nose plate.
As I approached the age of brittle bones I made a conscious decision to start flying gliders with a larger square footage of sail area. Landing a 155 square foot area glider as opposed to my earlier 145 or 147 sails made landing at my regular density altitude of 6,000’ msl much less intense.
As muscle strength is declining I find that installing fiberglass tips on a glider is getting closer to way too difficult.
Spring loaded battens are also getting difficult to install.
Cam batten tips although not as robust are easier to install.
Over all weight of a glider can be a big concern.
Having a weak back I can’t even consider owning a topless, or rigid glider due to the greater weight of this design.
I’m looking forward to your advice on, “How To Select A New Glider.”
I am not too far off from buying my next new glider. >>>Bill C.