Is Al actually George Carlin?

Aw come on - anyone that would import their favourite old 'Landie' all the way from the UK to the States can't be that bad.

I have noticed that he no longer touts the big wing gliders nor denigrates the shorter wings as he used to, so perhaps there is something to this idea.

If what you hypothesize is true, I estimate in a year or so we will be treated to an amazing change in Al's respect for a certain glider. Here's why: I've noted an interesting progression in gliders owned by Al (listed chronologically):

ASW22 - 25 meter wingspan

ASW17 - 20 meter wingspan

Ventus - 15 meter wingspan

Extrapolating, this suggests in about 13 months, Al will be flying a 10 meter wingspan glider! Since these are in short supply (little span joke there), it's more sensible to expect the glider will be a 13 meter PW-5 in about 8.5 months! Yes, Al in a PW-5!

OK, let's not go crazy: maybe he will skip that and wait 11.7 months before buying an 11 meter SparrowHawk.

Its already happened I took to the air in a PW5.5 two years ago. http://www.silentflight.com/P0003485.JPG
http://www.silentflight.com/P0003486.JPG

The Ventus does have the 16.6m tips and performs pretty much like the ASW17 so its not all down hill.

The 11M sparrow hawk sounds kinda interesting for out here because it should have a half decent wing loading.

Al

Eric, You are forgetting Al's secret project, the 1000 KM Grunau Baby. At 12.870 meters (according to Martin Simons) that would put it right on track for 7.76 months by your time table calculations. The real question is whether he will make his attempt in the Western Mountains or go East to the ridges. There was also some speculation that he might try it tied down on the trailer. Making it a 1000 KM out and return would be much simpler that way. Cheers!, Pete