Important notice:
This comparison has been made with lots of accuracy and details, but please consider that other sizes, other weight load for the same tested glider can have a different impact on the result below. Some small sizes usually have a different feel, and different data. Also the bigger sizes will give you different feel in (brake tension, brake response, brake length,) not to mention the performance gain in 95 % of the cases.
For instance an important factor in 2017/18 creations, is that manufacturers are working on the internal structures ,that may have a better cohesion and efficiency in turbulent air, BUT with the exact weight load ! Those gliders will have a large weight window to be flown, BUT they are mostly efficient in a smaller one 😉 … Example : The Zeno SM goes from 80-100. The most accurate result will be to fly it from 96 till 98.
TheChili 4 XS weight range is (75-95) but the best result is around 93-94.
Of course it flyable at 90 but you won’t be efficient to enter the airmass! As you will if you fly a Zeno at 90 !
The Mentor 5 S 80-100 is best flown at 95 for all conditions. If you fly the M 5 S at 100, it will be ok for performance, but the handling will change with a spongy feel, and will loose more the linear feel…Strange..but feelable.
The Mentor 5 XS has a different feel than the S. If flown at 85 ,it’s great! At 90 it will bounce more and in small thermals it will have this jumping effect like a well pressurized tyre over a dirt road.
Now the light materials have also a different feel…And that’s another story that i’m still learning those effects…Some will be damper some will be more alive…Lets wait and see…
Some probably think that ± 2-3 kg won’t matter…But i say it surely does ! 🙂
S size 2 kg will matter, M size 3kg, L size 4-5 kg…
Cheers,
Ziad
(PS: Many pilots cares for performance…But IMHO, my best gliders are the ones that gives me that magical handling feel like an extension to my arms … in better words “Wings” 🙂
7 Comments
Nice chart. Will you include the Mentor 5 soon?
Hi Susan, Its already inserted. All you have to do is check the box next to the Mentor 5 name and it will appear in the chart 🙂 Cheers,
Really good job Ziad! Thank you for your work! Just on comment: For this category of glider I would have compare trim speed rather than top speed … or both 😉
I know that the Mentor 1 is a piece of the history, but if you have tested it could you please add it to your nice comparison table?;)
excellent!
Do you have the intention to include any SOLsports glider?
Hi Ziad! Any chance to see the U-Turn Blacklight 2 in the comparison?
Yes.sure…ill update as soon as possible.
Cheers