Why Ventus B so unloved?

Is the Ventus B difficult to fly or does it have bad handling? I have yet to meet a person who has a positive word for one, especially the straight 15m model?Why are the so cheap vs a Discus etc?? What do they know that I don't?Thanks againJames

If you want to go fast, you will find it has charms that are greater than its flaws.

Discus etc?? What do they

I preferred it to the Ventus C. It goes very well, has rather dead feeling ailerons but the trailing edge airbrakes make it very easy to land as long as you have been briefed on how to use them. Since almost every flight ends in a landing this is an important advantage. It is also lighter than the Ventus C and I liked it most in 15m mode.

Basil UK

Discus etc?? What do they

I was told by François-Louis Henry, who is flying in the same club where I do, and owned a Ventus B before he changed for a Ventus 2a (with which he won the nationals in 2000 if I remember correctly) that before he put turbulators on the winglets this glider was subject to spin without any warning. From memory, maybe

I did about 50 hours in one. Performance in a straight line is oustanding. Light wings, automatic hookups, easy to assemble. Large cockpit, trailing edge dive brakes made short field landings a snap. Stall characteristics were fairly benign, it would drop a wing, but there was plenty of warning. It should have been the perfect glider for me.

The problem is that mine (and apparently others) was essentially neutrally stable in all axis. It required continual stick and rudder input to fly in a straight line. Ailerons on mine were rather heavy and required large deflections. It was not very happy thermalling at anything below 60 knots (dry), even using landing flap position (which I often did).

Folding a map, reaching for things, etc., could be an adventure, as I would at times end up in rather unusual attitudes. After a 2 or 3 hours flight in it, I'd be pretty tired and prone to making silly mistakes. I decided I needed something more pilot friendly, and put it up for sale. I later bought an ASW-20BL, which was an absolute dream to fly.

If your primary consideration is going fast, buy one and you may find yourself able to live with the shortcomings. The Ventus C has a bit better handling, and the prices reflect that. In my opinion, if you want an older 15M glider you'll enjoy flying, an ASW-20, LS-3, or LS-6, are better choices.

Very interesting question. I am just now getting back into soaring and have been weighing which glider to start with. I have crewed a Ventus B in the mid 80's and found nothing to be worried about. It was a very capable glider then and I think one of the first to come with tip extensions.Then having been away for 18 years, I am familiar with the sailplanes around at that time, and am considering a ASW-20 A/B/C/BL etc..the Ventus B the LS4 B and others. Not a Vega lol. Does the Ventus have a problem?

Discus etc?? What do they

Just for reference and out of curiosity, what is this 'go fast' in numbers? The most useful answer to me would be ft/sec down at some given speed...like 60/80/100 knots wet/dry etc...

Thanks!

Armand

Well, you could look at http://www.ssa.org/Johnson/40-1982-06.pdf and get some numbers.

Tim Ward

Armand

The Open Cirrus on those pages is awesome. what a nice looking old gal.

Al

I have flown Dean Aldinger's Open Cirrus, OC, which is also for sale on those same pages. Dean is an absolute artist at his work and he should be believed when he says that these are the best examples of their types in existence. Both ships are WAY better than new. The link to both the gliders for sale is http://home.earthlink.net/~dandunkel/. If you are looking for a glider that is really special and distinctive, then make sure to check out these ships. -Bob Korves Duo Discus 5H LAK-17A 5K