I'd like to publically express my appreciation to Wills Wing for
producing a great new, custom sail (ahead of schedule) for my old T2C 144 (built
in May, 2009). Steve Pearson was great to work with during the process of laying
out the custom pattern and I got exactly what I wanted with the verification of
color choice from Mike Meier.
I got the new sail so quickly that I was able to squeeze another ninety good
hours of local XC flying from original before it was time to retire it. I put on
four hundred and twenty four hours and there may have been 70-80 hours from the
original owner.
I'm very pleased with the results of the initial flight and many of my
impressions can be heard in the video (linked below) despite of the din of wind
rush.
The upper surface is UVPT (white) and the improvement in handling while flying
in and into turbulence and wind gusts is worth reiterating. I recall once
hearing a phrase to the effect, "Aeroelasticity means uncontrollability" from
Terry Sweeny. This rings so true when going from the UVM10T to the UVPT. The
reduction in fabric elongation results in noticeable reduction in tendency for
the nose to balloon up at all VG settings. My T2C 144 is now more confidence
inspiring when flying in textured air than ever. I feel that the improvement in
handling and 'ride quality' alone will reduce my pilot fatigue, allowing me to
pursue longer cross country flights than I'd otherwise endeavor.
I am a recreational cross country pilot and not a race pilot however, when
flying 50-60 mph I find it much easier to keep the glider on the intended line.
In typical form, I made a live narrated video of the test flight of the new sail
on Sunday.
It's fluorescent yellow (Bright Yellow 5280 http://willswing.com/colors/hg_viewer.asp). I sent Mike Meier the html
color# in order to verify the color choice. In the end, I happened to be at WW's
shop to pick up some parts and we physically pulled the cloth bolt off the
shelf.
When flying Sylmar, there are days when I have as many as ten encounters within
1 mile of GA and commercial air traffic. That was the genesis for the vivid
design/color scheme. I will be adding that holographic reflective tape to the
leading edges eventually. It works and also helps chase drivers make visual
contact.
http://www.identi-tape.com/deco-holo.html# Silver Hoopios is the stuff I
use. Only 2.5 mil thick and very effective acrylic adhesive. No affect on stall
characteristics.
No suitable for Dacron. Sticks well to laminated films. Work great wrapped
around the keel. It has the brightest and broadest range of reflectivity of all
the samples that Identi-Tape sent me.
