What glider to get?

[Discseven]

Am in process of finishing Private Pilot Glider certification. Plan is to rent for a while as I research what glider, instruments, trailer, etc to get. Would appreciate comments/input from pilot/glider owners as to what they like and don't like concerning anything glider related.

As a secondary interest, I'd like to fly in the Rockies. If you have area to recommend... please do.

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[Jim Richards]

Karl, I’ve only been soaring once, many years ago, and I did it out of Black Forest, CO. It was directly east of the Air Force Academy, on the east side of I25. The conditions were great for soaring there. I’m not sure if the same outfit I flew with is still there, but I’m sure there’s an active soaring organization in that general area. Good luck.

[Evans, Marv]

Are you talking about a "glider" or a "sail plane?" There's a huge difference. I'm not any sort of expert & have only been up in a sail plane a couple of times, although I got to pilot them after the tow plane let go and before landing. Fun activity. Maybe you could go to a glider port to talk to people there.

[petrolhead611]

What's the difference between a glider and a sailplane?

[oldE]

A glider will come down, albiet slowly, as its sink rate can not be offset by flying in thermals. A sailplane is able to climb in thermals as its sink rate is lower. Theoretically, one can remain aloft indefinately in a sail plane if the conditions allow.

Best
Les

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by oldE

A glider will come down, albiet slowly, as its sink rate can not be offset by flying in thermals. A sailplane is able to climb in thermals as its sink rate is lower. Theoretically, one can remain aloft indefinately in a sail plane if the conditions allow.

Best
Les

Didn't realize there is a distinction!

I stand schooled. Am soaring... not gliding.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by oldE

A glider will come down, albiet slowly, as its sink rate can not be offset by flying in thermals. A sailplane is able to climb in thermals as its sink rate is lower. Theoretically, one can remain aloft indefinately in a sail plane if the conditions allow.

Best
Les

So you’re saying a glider is just a low performance sailplane?

OP, are you in contact with local glider (or sailplane) clubs to find out what people are flying, how they like them, plusses, and minuses, etc?

[Hugh R]

Had a girl friend who, after we split up, lost her left arm and leg on a glider, but whatever...

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by astrochex

So you’re saying a glider is just a low performance sailplane?

OP, are you in contact with local glider (or sailplane) clubs to find out what people are flying, how they like them, plusses, and minuses, etc?

Yes Paul... joined Soaring Association of America. Started looking through their directory for clubs/airports throughout the Rockies... and elsewhere. Excellent reference. Thought there has to be a few people in PPF with soaring experience to share.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Karl, I’ve only been soaring once, many years ago, and I did it out of Black Forest, CO. It was directly east of the Air Force Academy, on the east side of I25. The conditions were great for soaring there. I’m not sure if the same outfit I flew with is still there, but I’m sure there’s an active soaring organization in that general area. Good luck.

...Thanks Jim.

Looked them up and original location closed and operation moved to Kelly Airpark about 8 miles west of Elbert. They are an SAA member. Gona give them a call.

.

[Jim Richards]

I hope they fit the bill for you, Karl.

[island911]

I’ve also only been soaring once, many years ago. So,.. get a white one with long narrow wings.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by Discseven

Yes Paul... joined Soaring Association of America. Started looking through their directory for clubs/airports throughout the Rockies... and elsewhere. Excellent reference. Thought there has to be a few people in PPF with soaring experience to share.

My experience is dated and indirect.

We had a family friend who owned a sailplane, a Diamant. Not sure if it was 15 or 17m wingspan. It was actually assembled once in our backyard.

But my dad used to crew for him at El Mirage in regional and national contests. They were family trips. Those were spectacular experiences. My dad eventually got a license and I went up with him once in a Schweitzer, at Perris.

[masraum]

I've found several different things online that seem to indicate something similar to the below.

Let's set aside motorized gliders for a moment, and just consider un-powered aircraft. All sailplanes are gliders, but not all gliders are sailplanes.

A glider is any airplane without an engine.

A sailplane is a glider that is aerodynamic enough that sustained flight is possible by using rising air currents to maintain altitude, or even to climb.

A glider that is not a sailplane is not expected to maintain altitude or travel very far. During world War II the US, Britain, and Germany all used large troop carrying gliders. These could in no way be called sailplanes.

All gliders need to be provided some form of propulsion to get off the ground - often they are pulled by an airplane, or pulled by a wench on the ground. To allow them to fly launch without assistance, powered gliders have been developed, using a very small engine to take off. This is turned off and the propeller folded back to allow it to operate as a sailplane.

[masraum]

We just watched the original "Thomas Crown Affair" with Steve McQueen and the remake with Pierce Brosnan this weekend. There were glider scenes in both this weekend. The glider in the old version was odd looking compared to the more modern version, shorter, tapered wings with a wider span and a thicker fuselage.

My parents did a glider/sailplane thing when I was about 5-6 in Pensacola, FL. I'd like to go for a ride some day.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by island911

I’ve also only been soaring once, many years ago. So,.. get a white one with long narrow wings.

Don't have the budget for anything with long narrow wings Islandmon. White... I can do.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by astrochex

My experience is dated and indirect.

We had a family friend who owned a sailplane, a Diamant. Not sure if it was 15 or 17m wingspan. It was actually assembled once in our backyard.

But my dad used to crew for him at El Mirage in regional and national contests. They were family trips. Those were spectacular experiences. My dad eventually got a license and I went up with him once in a Schweitzer, at Perris.

This Diamant is a '70. Sold for around $6,500. Fine price but being unfamiliar with sailplanes, I have yet to learn what one would invest in getting this vintage to a point where there's no question concerning structural integrity. That's purely a curiosity on my part---preference in this case is modern form.

.

[john70t]

The true sailplane pilots have to have mastery of thermal conditions and local experience plus a heaping of patience.
Those long thin wings in turbulence could be a blessing or a curse, I would imagine.

What about a powered sailplane?
http://www.aeros.com.ua/structure/al/index_en.php



Other slower (but powered) aircraft you might be interested in are:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slepcev_Storch
(almost VTOL in a strong headwind)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_DA20 or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_DA40
(different engines. one of those flew low overhead recently and I could barely hear it)

[island911]

Originally Posted by Discseven

This Diamant is a '70. Sold for around $6,500. Fine price but being unfamiliar with sailplanes, I have yet to learn what one would invest in getting this vintage to a point where there's no question concerning structural integrity. That's purely a curiosity on my part---preference in this case is modern form.

.

I think that there is always question concerning structural integrity. Speed and ridiculously high wing loading will break things. I mean, if you are driving your car at speed and crank the steering wheel too hard shts going to break. Same for air frames. Know the speed and G-limits. If you want higher limits it cost more.

[SCadaddle]

I like the fast ones.