Information about the Ventus b
Henning K. Nielsen
(1) b. My own experience is primarily with standard class gliders like
ASW19, ASW24 and Discus CS.
Flight characteristics in general?
How does it fly on weak days?
How does the profile cope with bugs?
Can you land it on small fields?
Other issues?
Thanks
HN
Marc Ramsey
> Could you help me with some information on the characteristics of the
> Ventus (1) b. My own experience is primarily with standard class
> gliders like ASW19, ASW24 and Discus CS.
I owned one, my opinions are mixed.
> Flight characteristics in general?
Compared to the gliders mentioned, somewhat less stable in pitch, yaw,
roll. With mine (and it does vary from ship to ship), releasing the
stick would result in interesting roll and pitch excursions within a
few seconds. Winglets or 16.6M tips help. Mine had benign stall
characteristics, it would drop a wing, but not without a good deal of
abuse.
Aileron forces are generally on the heavy side, though if one spends
a day cleaning and lubricates all of accessible aileron fittings every
season or so, it can be improved. Dive brake forces are very high in
landing flap position, as a result, I normally used thermal flap for
runway landings.
> How does it fly on weak days?
Not too bad, I found I could get better climb in weak tight thermals
by using landing flaps.
> How does the profile cope with bugs?
Does as well as any of the more recent gliders.
> Can you land it on small fields?
Absolutely, once you learn the trick of using the dive brakes properly.
> Other issues?
Ventus Bs are equal in high speed performance to just about all of
the current crop of 15m gliders. In the hands of a good pilot (or
on a strong day), they don't give up much in climb. The reason I
sold mine (and replaced it with a DG-303) was that I found it to be
quite tiring to fly for more than a few hours. Ventus Cs are slightly
better in climb and low speed handling characteristics, but you lose
some of the short field landing capability.
If you want a still competitive 15m racing ship, with automatic
hookups, for a reasonable price, it is definitely the way to go. If
you want a glider that you will really enjoy flying, get an ASW-20,
LS-6, Discus, etc.
Marc
--
_____________________________
Marc Ramsey, ma...@ranlog.com
http://www.ranlog.com/ramsey/
Tango4
In 15m mode slightly worse than a '20 on weak days and slightly better on
the strong ones. You should be able to get a Ventus b with the 16.6m tips -
these make a big difference to the LD.
The 15m Masak winglets are supposed to make a big difference too. I have
never flown mine without them so I can't really comment.
Powerful trailing edge brakes and flaps, mediocre to poor wheelbrake, even
with the dual leading shoe mod.
Don't try to fly through rain the section dislikes water. Bugs don't seem to
affect it that badly though.
Integral water tanks - better idea than bags. Automagic control hookups
everywhere - a life preserver.
Ian
Ventus B turbo
"Henning K. Nielsen" <h...@navision.com> wrote in message
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Ian K McPhee
job as it is an expensive pain to cut holes in wings to replace the steel
water ballast dump valve mechanism. If you do then make it out of stainless
steel not the original factory steel. I agree with what has been said
earlier - do not judge after a few hours as you really need 100hrs and then
you kike it
Ian Mc Phee
Box 657 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia
iankm...@bigpond.com.au
www.mrsoaring.com
Marc Ramsey <ma...@ranlog.com> wrote in message
news:Xns910C6599...@206.13.28.144...
John Galloway
>Like all SH gliders keep tanks dry when not in use - computer fans do a good
>job as it is an expensive pain to cut holes in wings to replace the steel
>water ballast dump valve mechanism.
Ian,
How do you use the computer fans? Over he top of the filling holes??
John Galloway
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John Galloway
>Like all SH gliders keep tanks dry when not in use - computer fans do a good
>job as it is an expensive pain to cut holes in wings to replace the steel
>water ballast dump valve mechanism.
Ian,
How do you use the computer fans? Over the top of the filling holes??
Bill Feldbaumer
I have flown my Ventus for 20 years. Here are my observations.
The most important factor is safety. The trailing edge, integrated flap-spoiler
system is unequaled for safety. Pulling the spoiler handle partially extends
the spoiler. Pulling it further extends the spoiler fully and also the flap
beyond its landing notch position. This results in very high drag. Simply point
the nose at the roundout spot and flair. The airspeed simply disappears.
If an obstruction should appear during the flair and the glide must be
extended, simply slam the handle shut. This closes the spoilers and raises some
of the flap. The ship accelerates with no change in attitude. It does not sink
as a normally flapped glider does when the flaps are raised.
If you ever get it a really bad emergency, it is nice to know that the
integrated system can be opened at redline. I have opened mine fully and eased
the ship into a verticle dive. The speed stayed below redline. I don't recommed
that you try this with a normally flapped ship. You might loose some pieces.
My MiniNumbus had the same system. I did not want to give it up. I bought a
Ventus because it had it also.
Dick Johnson wrote in SOARING some months ago that he has kept his Ventus for
20 years because of this system.
Other safety issues are automatic control connections and integral ballast
tanks. We have had too many accidents because of improperly connected controls
and twisted or leaking rubber baloon ballast bags. The latest ships now have
these "new" features. I think that some manufacturers have been irresponsible
for not adopting these safety features which have been proven over twenty years
ago. The automatic control hookups also make the assembly a snap. Simply shove
the wings in and you are done (except for the safety pin). The elevator also
has a fast connection which is almost impossible to attach incorrectly.
The Ventus has excellent competion performance. It was the ship that retired
the ASW 20 from top level competion. Most of the ASW 20 pilots whom I know sold
their 20's and went into the Standard Class.
I agree that the Ventus wanders around if the control stick is released. This
has not been a problem for me personally. I seldom remove my hand from the
stick. On the other hand (no pun intended!) responsiveness tends to be the
opposite of stability. With very light control pressures, the Ventus will be in
a thermal almost as fast as you can think about it.
I hope that these comments will be helpful.
Bill Feldbaumer 09