Pilot Report, Aeros Combat

[Paul Tjaden]

I've flown my (almost) new Combat five times now and thought I'd post my initial impressions. I have been interested in the Combat for a couple of years but I'd been a little intimidated by some of the stories I'd heard regarding it's handling and landing characteristics. I think most of these problems had more to do with it's predecessor, the Stealth, but the reputation for being tough to land lived on. I had also flown side by side with the Combat while flying an ATOS VX and had been very impressed with how close it's performance seemed to be to the unbelievable glide and sink rate of my rigid wing. I like to compete and seem to do fairly well in stronger conditions but have noticed a definite weakness when flying in very light lift. While a lot of this issue is probably due to operator error, I also felt that my hook in weight of nearly 250 pounds was not helping and that a glider with a few more squares and a better sink rate might help. My T-2 was getting pretty ragged so I took the opportunity to fly Sunny Veneski's Combat at Ridgely this spring after the competition. (He wouldn't let me fly it before due to concern that I might break his glider right before the competition. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sunny!) Anyway, the day was overcast and I expected no more than a sled ride but was happy to know that there would be very little turbulence on tow which was also a concern. The tow was totally un-eventful and the flight was sweet. The Combat handled great with no tendency to wrap up in the thermals (a flight characteristic that I hate) and it's handling seemed to be easier overall than other topless gliders I have flown. I managed to stay aloft until forced to land due to time constraints while other gliders couldn't stay up in the very light thermals. I was still concerned about the landing charcteristics but soon learned that this was also a non-issue.

I quickly agreed to purchase Sunny's green machine before that Rat- Bas#%rd John Simons could beat me to it and am now happily flying it here in Florida. Of course it's too early to know if the Combat is going to be the answer to my heathen prayers and make up for my poor flying skills but I couldn't be happier now and am hoping for better results next spring in the comps. One thing about my glider. Bruce Satatis had made a very small vertical stabilizer for Sunny and I made certain that the fin came along. It's probably too small to be a major factor but Sunny assured me that it did help to dampen the tendency of the Combat to oscillate when not flown properly and when on high speed glide. I haven't flown it without the fin yet so I can't really comment but if you buy one, It's probably a good idea to use a fin on your first few flights.

My overall impression. This is a really nice glider with excellent flying characteristics and quality workmanship. The sail work is very clean and Aeros did not scrimp on anything including the well designed and ample pads and bags for storage.

Happy flying. Come see us in Florida when it gets too cold up there on the frozen tundra!

Paul

[John Simon]

Hey Paul,
glad you're having fun on that ride. I agree completely on the Combat, it's so sweet. I have flown in the last year the Lightspeed S and RS, T2 and Combat each a few times or more. I can't get over the light and easy handling of the combat, it's easily the sweetest of the three in the air (the RS is awesome too, a bit less yaw/delay but not as light handling). It thermals with one hand and I'm pretty sure there's a motor somewhere inside the keel.
It's handling at higher approach speeds and on glide can be a bit of work. I really think if you stay current and give yourself a bit of room you'll be comfortable quite quickly. The actual landing / flare is a dream if your wings are level but you need to give yourself a bit more room early on to make sure that's the case.
If I can get my finances in shape, I hope to get one for early next year, and stay current on it. Congrats!

John

[hefalump]

Yaa ... Yaa ... Yaa, John ... but your still flying a LiteSpeed S and Kicking Ass. You still have the Highland distance record? Or did Rick N. reclaim it?

[John Simon]

Ric will have it when he gets off his arse and flies! When he does that it won't be long.... although Ric is counting on Larry Bunner to do it first. I'm surprised it lasted this long, I gonna wallow as it's sure to be gone next spring!


John