Type : beginner 2 meters sailplane
Wing span : 78 in.
Airfoil: Flat bottom Cirrus type
Surface : 663 sq.in.
Wing loading : 5 on./sq. ft
Weight : 23 on.
Channels : rudder, elevator
Material : balsa
Source : Carl Goldberg kit
Comments : I learned thermal and light wind slope flying with this plane. I built it with removable wing tips. That makes a less rigid wing and it is easy to transport in the truck of my car. The wing is attached with rubber bands that let it go rather than break it on impact. The instructions suggest to use 6 rubber bands. Following suggestion of seasoned pilots, I use only 4 rubber bands while Hi-starting. When I slope fly, 3 are enough and let the wing go easily on hard landings.
It had a major crash while slope flying when afert losing sight over a mountain side it dove in the trees. All fins were torn off and the wing was lightly broken but the uselage was OK. The weight gain after the repairs was almost nil. I highly recommend this glider to all beginners because it flies very well. It's stable and it's slow flight let the beginner learn gradually the basics manoeuvers. It's light weight is also forgiving on hard landings.
The Gentle Lady is probably the most popular beginner glider in North America and it is a found memory to many experienced pilots.
©, André La Rochelle
00-12-29
