Question for Ventus drivers.

16.6 factory tips or 17.6M curly up tips?

which do you prefer? wich do you think give better performance?

Thanks

Since you're referring to the '16.6 factory tips' you probably are talking about a Ventus-B

In fact there is no choice apart from the winglets for the 15 meter configuration. 17.6 meter tips on a Ventus B are not certified and not supported by Schempp-Hirth.

My Ventus A came with 16.6 tips. I looked into modifying the 16.6 into 17.6 but decided it was easier to buy some tips off of another glider. My 17.6 tips came from a Ventus CM and they fit just fine. Chip Garner borrowed them for an 18M nationals and used them on a B model. One interesting note however, The ailerons on the 17.6 tips are longer than the 16.6 tips.

I flew my Ventus C for several years with the factory supplied 16.6m tips, then modified them with the Schempp-Hirth mod kit to 17.6m. I did not notice a great difference in handling, with both 16.6m and 17.6m, handling is very good, IMHO. If you believe the factory polar, you might get a few points of L/D at lower speeds. I did notice a few knots slower circling speed with the added span. And as someone mentioned, they do look distinctive!!

Bob

I stand corrected. I must find out about this 'kit' from Schempp those tips realy are the business!

Ian

I'm wondering about the legal issue here. The early model Ventus was definitely not designed for 17,6 M tips. By using these tips on a early model A or B you're infringing the limitations of the C-of-A. In fact this will void your C-of-A.

You need to also remember, a lot of the original Nimbus 3's had the tips added on to increase the span from 24.5M to 25.5M. Haven't heard of a single problem from this modification. Klaus encouraged me to get a set of these tips when they first came out but then again my Ventus is licensed in the Experimental catagory.

Another interesting note, the tips on our Nimbus start to sweep back at the joint and again at the bend. My Ventus tips are straight at the leading edge then sweep back at the bend.

I eMailed Schempp and got this reply this evening

< <The Ventus b / 16.6 can't extened to 17,6m, only the Ventus C < <What Serial Number you have ???? < <Schempp-Hirth <Sales Department <H.-G. 'Biggo' Berger <Phone: +49 (0)7021 7298 313 <Fax: +49 (0)7021 7298 199

<http://www.schempp-hirth.com

Hay Al, Read your Experimental Airworthiness Certificate, I believe it will say something like this, 'Any modification will invalidate this certificate.'

It's not a big deal, but you got to get a new certificate after you convince the Feds that your modification is safe and they want to see something from the factory that says it's OK to put this mod on your machine. If you don't do it and your insurance finds out about it after they find the 'C' tips in the wreckage of your 'B', well we all know the rest of that scenario. JJ Sinclair

Interesting point there JJ. plus the reply Ian (Tango 4) got from the factory

Guess 16.6 with a winglet might be the hot setup. Shame Larry has a set of moulds for the 17.6 tips

Al