PHI Maestro 19 X-Alps
I have already flown the normal version.
The X-Alps light material is super easy to launch. The handling and the way to turn the X-Alps 19 is super agile.
The glide angle seems on top of the B category for sure. The climb without a wind or breeze component resembles the normal version which is very good also. (I’ll update my B comparison for small details)
The C steering has a moderate efficiency and it’s a bit hard to pull but doable. The top speed is also high for the category and fully usable.
In windy days, or facing a strong valley breeze, the Maestro gave me a hard time surfing forward this difficult airmass, the X-Alps 19 pitch back, roll, move in all directions, and I needed to push the bar a bit in order to dig into those difficult thermals.
The best way I found, is to push the bar a bit and use the brakes inside the thermals. It’s weird, but it’s better! The Maestro at 40 % of the bar is more efficient than at trim in entering the cores and keeping in them! That’s funny…but that’s exactly how I felt.
In other conditions where the thermals are steady, and no wind is present, the X-alps 19 enters and cores nicely.
There’s a big difference in flying quality between size 19 and 21. For my personal taste, the normal 21 is an excellent and efficient tool. I wish I had the X-alps 21 to test…
Conclusion: The Maestro X-alps 19, is a performant light glider for experienced B+ pilots.
