Two Seaters

At every AGM some bright spark comes up with the idea of encouraging more cross country flying by adding a 'high-performance' cross country glider to the fleet. Whilst this may sound good, the reality is the cost to buy, maintain and most particularly, insure it, is so high that you end up with a glider only three people are deemed capable of flying, of which only two can actually afford the charges. Those two people then use the glider as their own personal toy and no one else gets any two seater cross county flying at all...brilliant! A much better approach is to buy a 'Sifow' two seater at a fraction of the cost, put some toys in it and actually fly the thing. This is not only affordable, but it shows the trainee that they can fly XC in their existing K6 or Cirrus rather than waiting until they have a Discus. So simple, yet so effective! Forget your ASH 25's and DG-500's, here are some Sifow approved two-seaters for you to choose from!

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	L13 Blanik, metal two seater, almost unique for a trainer in that it is flapped. The later 'Super Blanik' has a T tail and no flaps. A very well loved glider, I have yet to fly one, so can't comment, but I do like the colour! Seen here flying on a windless day at Burn. 'Click the pic' for more details.
Below and right, the K7. The Bungee launch K7 photo is from Ronald Rooij, who points out that the K7 is true Sifow glider at only 8.4 Metres per pilot!
	The K7, most noticeable for the two directional canopy and the fact the rear pilot cannot see a great deal. Some times converted into a 'K13 like' glider by lowering the wings and putting a single piece canopy on, 'just' for a better view! This particular glider flys at East Sussex.
	K13's get everywhere. They were probably the most popular training glider in Europe, though the K21 (glass) seems to be taking that role over at a rate of knots. Most of them are red for some strange reason. Most notable feature is 'K13 shin', the loss of pilot skin caused by the edge of the front seat panel as you get in and out. This one comes from Southampton via Pete Smith.
	The Puchacz, a glass trainer that soars as well as it spins. Has airbrakes almost too powerful. The glider in the picture, which flys at Saltby, flew a 300Km this year. Biggest problem is finding 8 people to derig it! Heavier handling than the wooden trainers, but larger cockpit and suits the 'larger' pilot. Don't believe all you hear about the way the spin, you get loads of warning! Had a claim from André Somers that his club rigs one in 10 minutes, with just 4 people......must be good stuff you're on! Need proof - send us a picture!
	I am always slightly dubious about the merits of 'vintage' gliders, all that stuff to go wrong and no spares. However it does get the Sifow seal of approval. David Wiseman takes up the case; "K2 is a actually a Schleicher ASK2 b2, one of Rudolf Kaisers early designs for Schleicher. Ours is works number 373 built in 1958. Traditional wood construction. Don't know what the b2 bit stands for, probably a different canopy/skid or something. Looked in my copy of Janes for details but it wasn't in! She's about 17 and a bit metres span. C of A gives it as 52' 4.9" (thanks Brian). Empty weight 666 lbs. Vne 117 kts.Rough air 74 kts. Don't know how she flies as at present she is undergoing refurbishment, hope to get her airborne again in 2002."
	"GOBE the Hungarian two seater has 14 m wingspan. It was designed by Erno Rubik in the fifties." says Istvan Toth. Not a good looker (?) but only 7m per seat...so 100% Sifow! Click photo for more details.
	PW6 - the PW5's big brother and to all intents a two seater version of it. 16m and 34-1. I really want to fly one of these and see if they climb as well as the '5. Significantly cheaper than a K21 or similar. Deserves to be a huge success.