Thermik XL - Looking for feedback

[Hoot]

Anybody have any direct experience with the Thermik XL sold by Soaring USA? What type conditions does it work best in? Is it a good plane for thermal duration or is more suited to slope flying? Any other comments ?
Thanks in advance !

[tknuutti]

Hi Steve,

Have no direct experience with the Xl, but I've flown the big 5-meter XXL-version. Beautiful ship and flies great at the slope and thermal from aerotow. RTF weight 'only' around 185 ounces, pretty light wing loading for it's size and it thermalled easy.

Valenta's planes are typically a little on heavy side for weight but on the other hand built rather strong. Don't think the XL would be really good for TD-contest type flying - too big and heavy to launch aggressive on a typical winch and spot landings would be tough. But it would certainly make a great sport thermaller, the large size would allow following lift quite far away. Would also make a great electric all-arounder. Airfoil is very thermal-oriented, so it's not a 'slope-rocket' type ship.

-Tauno