Want to hear from U2 - Hang Gliding Org - Worlds largest Hang Gliding community, discover Hang Gliding

W89rnr · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:46 am Post subject: Want to hear from U2

Hey guys, I'm ordering a new U2 pretty soon and wanted to hear from some of the current U2 pilots. I'm looking at the 145 with hydranet LE/TE and dacron sail, what I want to know is if there were any other options current and previous U2 owners wish they had/didn't have put on their ship? I'm starting into my first XC comps this year, but mostly consider myself a recreational pilot. Just full discolsure here, I have 60 hours, 35 of which are on my Falcon 3 170 (which I will be keeping), 20 on a Sport 2 155 (on which I've had a few XC flights), and several other hours soaring the beach in an assortment of Pulses/Falcons/Sonics. My flying is split pretty equally between mountain launches, truck tows, and aerotows. Oh! I also hook in at about 175. Thanks guys (and gals)!! thumbsup

Paul H · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:18 am Post subject:

You don't have a lot of flight time, yet. Have you even flown a U-2? At your current experience level you would most likely be best off with a Sport 2 especially with the types of flying you mentioned.

knumbknuts · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:19 am Post subject:

I'd say go with the stock options and LE. It'll last longer.

W89rnr · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:16 am Post subject:

I'm really looking to expand into sport class competition once I have the money. And I'm still researching sail materials. Many pilots I fly with are comfortable in my decision to move up to a U2, I realize that it's more difficult to fly and will have to make sure I use very sound judgment when getting in tune with a new glider. I wouldn't immediately take it to a mountain, I would tow in the flatlands to hone approaches and landings. I am confident I am ready to fly the U2, unfortunately I have not been able to get my hands on a small 145, but I have trips already planned to Wallaby for demo days, and to Ridgely, MD to test fly a few. A new glider wouldn't be coming for a few months, anyways so I will take time to fully explore new gliders. Thanks already to those pilots who've PM'd me, and those here on the forum!

blindrodie · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:25 am Post subject:

I fly my U2 145 hooked in at 210. That's 10 pounds under MAX hook-in weight.

It fly's great, soars just fine and lands very much like my falcon 195! I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The one noticeable difference for me when I moved to the U2 was bar pressure, as in WAY less. If you pull in you will go forward and very quickly!

Plus you will have a very adjustable VG to work with and learn about.

If you were getting into trouble fast with your prior wings, you will be getting into trouble a lot quicker in the U2. If not.....ENJOY.

Cool

W89rnr · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:40 am Post subject:

Rodie, I would consider myself a fairly cautious pilot, and have never had too many bad landings on my other wings. I always learned from those mistakes just to go on to improve my decision making and flying technique, so I hope to use the U2 as a sweet tool to carve out some nice flights on!

blindrodie · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:54 am Post subject:

I have no doubt you will.

Also, I tended to find that the one thing I had MORE time to think about was landing. I was always SO MUCH higher when I got to the LZ. Glad path and altitude will also surprise you as they change for the better. Just be ready.

Plan your flight and then fly your plan...

Cool

day dreamer · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:30 pm Post subject:

One thing I wished I ordered was dual zippers on all my sprogs for camera mounting options. I remember someone posting that after I ordered mine and thought that would be a nice option to have.

W89rnr · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:03 pm Post subject:

Daydreamer, that's actually a really brilliant idea, I never thought about access for my gopro, hopefully having the second zipper on each sprog wouldn't make to much extra noise or anything. I think I would go insane if I just had the zippers dangling and jingling the whole time.

And Rodie, that's really good to hear, it could never hurt having more time and space to set up an approach.

TomGalvin · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:14 pm Post subject:

Alex is a very good pilot, and I would think he would be able to make the transition to the U2 easier than most. That said, I would recommend against moving up just to enter comps.

A pilot's first few competitions are a learning experience, IMHO it's better to have a more comfortable wing. Flying in a big gaggle can be intimidating. A few points on glide is not useful in a comp if you are not making it to cloud base consistently or climbing efficiently. You may be king of your local hill, but nothing is more humbling than a comp sky god climbing up through you like a bat out of hell while you are struggling at an inversion layer.

YMMV

HangDiver · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:21 pm Post subject:

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=3557&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Hockeyguy35 · Joined: 16 Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Minnesota

I have been flying my U2 160 for years and love it! It is the easiest glider to fly and has the same type of handling as a topless glider.

W89rnr · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 2:06 pm Post subject:

Tom, I appreciate that, I would be doing sport comps, starting either using my falcon, or a rented sport 2 this year, getting dialed into my U2 and then going back out for more sport comps. I don't want the wing to primarily compete, I am working on more XC flights and see comps as a great way to gain some experience from some awesome venues and fellow pilots in the comp.

zippidy · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:09 pm Post subject:

I am on my second U2 145. After several years on my T2C-144 I decided I missed the fun of my U2 too much and bought another.

Both of my U2's had dacron sails with hyrdronet on the leading edge and trailing edge. It flies amazing, and holds up well. You won't be disappointed.

J ball · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:48 pm Post subject:

day dreamer · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:51 pm Post subject:

You won't want to cheat on her that's for sure. You will find yourself saying I love you baby. Razz

Maybe that's just me...

W89rnr · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:20 pm Post subject:

Carbon? On a U2? Yeah, don't think I'll be going that route. Hey thanks guys for all the tips so far, I really appreciate it! And I had a similar feeling flying the sport 2 for the first few times: 'dang this thing doesn't listen!!' then pull on speed and everything responded better and was actually more mild mannered. I imagine it will be similar like you all have said going to the U2.

iSoar · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:30 pm Post subject:

W89rnr · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:59 am Post subject:

iSoar, I saw your first flights on Vimeo, and I've got to just say that you have a sweet looking glider sir!

patrick halfhill · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:55 am Post subject:

I have a u2 with carbon basetube and carbon fiber leading edge inserts. Neither do anything for the performance but I really like the basetube and it is much cheaper when you purchase the kite as opposed to ordering later. I have competed in sport class since 2007. almost all tasks are downwind. U2 Or S2 will do fine. The U2 is much better with headwinds or quartering headwinds than the s2. If you email Steve Pearson (he designed the wing) He will tell you the fabric combos that suite your flying styles best. The Wills guys are very up front and just want you to be happy on the wing that you purchase. Honestly, at 35 hours, I would go with the S2 for a season or 2 (they are easy to sell ) Than go up to the U2. Just my opinion

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