Elfe S4D information request

[Janos Bauer]

Hi,

We looked around the net but it's hard to find any detailed
information about how this plane was constructed. Is there any problem
with this metal-wood-composite mixture? How can these planes maintained?
How does it fly? Is it difficult to assemble/disassemble? Or any other
experience is welcome.

/Janos

[Stefan]

The best start would probably be to contact directly the Neukom
Composite AG in Switzerland. Their homepage is password protected,
though, and I don't know their e-mail address... But maybe DG may help
you to get in contact, as Neukom is the LS reprentative in Switzerland
and LS is now DG...

Stefan

[Mr Derek Wilson]

"Janos Bauer" <janc...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:crlfbp$5nv$1...@newstree.wise.edt.ericsson.se...

> We looked around the net but it's hard to find any detailed information
> about how this plane was constructed.

I have a 1977 built Elfe S4a. In answer to your questions:

Construction: Grp front fuselage. Wood/Epoxy sandwich wing, rear fuselage
and tail. Same wing section as ASW-15 and ASW-19.
Maintenance: Like any wooden glider. Wing profile good after 28 years! Paint
any scratches so easier than glass to repair. No large costs for re-gelling.
Rigging: Similar to Sleicher K6 but heavier (mine weighs 253kg empty)
Flying: No trim, but as it has all-flying tail then no stick load but never
able to take hands off. Slightly lower max L/D than Std. Cirrus or LS1f but
more than equal above 100KPH. Long fuselage relative to 15metre wing as same
fuselage was used on 17metre Elfe. Airbrakes not great (top surface only)
but not really bad. Climbs as well as other standard class machines at my
club. Cockpit is quite small for me but I am 1.83 metres tall and weigh
97kg!

Conclusion: Would I buy one - YES. Value for money as a good one should cost
only 6000 Euro. I do not know of anything better for the money.

You can email me if you have more questions at derekatmotorgliderdotcodotuk.