Sagitta 900 vs Bird of Time

[sk8]

Which one do you like and why? I will beef up the spars
1/2"x1/4" + some carbon for top spar. Will the BOT be
better for RES comp due to larger span?

Thanks Dave

[Ollie]

There is not a lot to choose between them. The BOT has a slight edge in thermalling ability but, the S 900 is easier to land precisely. A well built example of either will out do a poorly built example of the other. A pilot with slightly better flying skills can give you your pick and beat you with the other one. In the end piloting skills are far more important than equipment selection unless the pilots are very closely matched in ability. Pick the one with the most visual appeal and practice your landings. That will do your competition standing more good than which plane you pick. Which ever one you pick build a back up model of the same plane and stick with it. More people have degraded their contest results by obsessing on equipment selection than almost any other reason.

[ken troxell]

sk8...i would recommend you get a big bird from skybench. i have flown both and feel the E205 is a tough airfoil to master. most people fly it too slow.the big bird is a great sailplane that i can't say enough good things about.

[Michael Heer]

Ollie and Ken are both giving good advice. Having flown both here are my thoughts. The Bird of Time has longer hang time in weak winter lift conditions then the Sagitta 900. The 900 has better penetration to fly through sink and get to the next thermal but works best when flown faster then many people want to fly it. They hog the elevator and slow it down and slow down and destroy what is good about the E205 airfoil. I am no longer into competition and I fly a variety of gliders for the fun of it including a newly built Bird of Time (Built last summer and early fall). If I were to be picking one for competition I would be flying the Sagitta for conditions here in California most of the year. As Ollie points out for competition it is best to stick with one design and practice, practice and practice. But then I am used to the airfoil and don't hesitate to keep it's speed up even when climbing in a thermal. That said: The reason I have a new Bird of Time is that I fly mostly for fun and it is such a beautiful plane. Mike Heer

[sk8]

I like the lines of the BOT and the fact that I can get a full
kit not a short kit like Saggita. Is the BOT foil full flat bottom
with limited speed range compare to E205 or S3021?
If so I would consider changing the foil on the BOT since
I like the lines but don't want a plane that can't cover
ground or fly in wind.

Thanks Dave