Gentle Lady or Great Planes Spirit

[RCFlybry]

Hi all, Did I really need yet another sailplane?.... No but after flying a friends Gentle Lady the other day I decided to pick up my own kit.
I had thoughts of purchasing a Great Planes Spirit but at the last moment decided to go with the GL instead.
Was this a good move? Bad move?
I decided to put up a poll and see what others think as to which is the better sailplane.

Bryan

[Ollie]

Which Gentle Lady? The one with full size servos, dense wood, strong spar option and a heavier wing loading or the one with micro servos, regular spar option, lighter wood and a lighter wing loading? The Gentle lady with a forward CG and poor thermal signaling response or the one with an aft CG and better thermal response but more difficult to fly smoothly? the old kit with die cut parts or the new kit with laser cut parts?

Similar questions could be asked about the Spirit. Getting an objective response that fits your personal flying style and personal goals is really a tough proposition. A Spirit kit done with new, sharp die cutting tools or a kit later in production done with dull die cutting tools?

There are a few differences that stand out. The GL kit parts, whether die cut or laser cut are of sloppier fit than the Spirit kit parts. The structural design of the Spirit is superior and easier to build to an accurate airframe. The Spirit airfoil has a higher range of useful speeds. The GL airfoil is better at low speeds. The GL has more forgiving handling qualities.

It really comes down to personal preferences and what the customer brings to the kits in the way of craftsmanship and adjusting skills.

I have seen one of the top fliers in the country take a GL and beat a field of good fliers with high tech planes in an unlimited contest flown in high winds. This tells me far more about the flier than about the GL but some people will interpret the facts differently.

[sailhigh]

Bryan,

In my opinion, if you're talking flying qualities alone, the Gentle Lady is very hard to beat. This seemingly simple (and old) airplane has very good aerodynamic properties which enable it to be very forgiving in the hands of a beginner, yet an excellent lift indicator, capable of coring the tightest thermals in the hands of the more experienced. In my experience, I've noticed the GL outperformes every other production glider in it's class.


Sean

[aeajr]

They are both great floaters. I chose the Spirit because it has spoilers and the GL does not.

[ICTHRMLS]

Both kits deserve some more attention to detail from the manufacturer..... It is not fair to compare "what if's" when building either one. Out of the box and stock (did I mention my thoughts go back 8 years ago?) the Spirit has a stronger wing and spoiler option....... both pluses. The GL will build lighter.....a big plus.

Both airplanes with "advice" offered for mod's on this board will yield a competitive and durable trainer/fun/RES airplane - you really can't go wrong. If you built both (with or without mods) you would still be far ahead from those who have never built at all. ;)

[Ollie]

Your craftsmanship, thermal predicting skill, adjusting skills, thermal detecting skills and piloting skills will have many, many times more impact on thermalling results than which kit you choose. Obsessing on "which is best" is very poor mental hygene.

See the April 2004 issue of Scientific American for the article "The Tyranny of Choice."