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GlennD007
Joined: 29 Feb 2012
Posts: 4
Location: Federal Way, WA.
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 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:34 am Post subject: Falcon 3 vs Saturn 147 w/VG |
 #1 |
Can anybody make a comparison between the Falcon 3 and the Saturn 147 w/VG gliders for me? I'm a beginner pilot and am looking to purchase my first glider and I have these two used gliders to choose from. Both are suppose to be in great shape and I will have them inspected by a licenced instructor before i buy. What I want is someone to make a case for me why I should buy the Falcon 3 instead of the Saturn 147 w/VG and a case why I should buy the Saturn over the Falcon to help me make an informed decision on my first purchase.
Thanks! |
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Qi
3 thumbs up
Joined: 07 Mar 2011
Posts: 117
Location: New Port Richey, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:52 am Post subject: |
#2 |
I am a novice myself, but it seems to me that if you do not already know the answer to that question, you have much more studying to do. My first rule is SAFETY, so that I can continue to enjoy this magical sport. Peaceful Winds... 
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Words are birds, thoughts are clouds, quietness is the master of all deeds.... |
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Mavi Gogun
1 thumbs up
Joined: 26 Jun 2009
Posts: 973
Location: Istanbul (not Constantinople)
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:17 am Post subject: |
#3 |
| Qi wrote: |
| I am a novice myself, but it seems to me that if you do not already know the answer to that question, you have much more studying to do. |
True that- so let's start here. Glenn, tell us what you understand the differences to be, and how either would recommend itself to the needs of one such as yourself- and how that relates to the nature of the place you will be flying. If you can't answer that, do a search of this forum for threads mentioning both "Falcon" and "Saturn" ('cuz the very same question has been posed before)- then return here to address the above task.
| GlennD007 wrote: |
| Both are suppose to be in great shape and I will have them inspected by a licenced instructor before i buy. |
I don't know you, your instructor, who you may purchase the glider from- or what their relationship may or may not be. If available, I urge you to have an experienced pilot who has no skin in the game other than your well being to also inspect the glider. My instructor sold me an over-sized trike wing for my first kite- a costly learning experience. I met a guy recently at a training hill with an Aeros Discus- it was his first kite, inspected by his instructor and purchased from a third party; this guy had never flown anything but a single surface, and needed assembly help. I found damage, and performed a sail off inspection: I found a badly dented outboard leading edge, a badly dented inboard leading edge, damaged apex hardware, badly kinked wires, frayed hall-back, cuts on the hang strap, folds in the leading edge Mylar, bent battens, damaged corner brackets, damaged cable saddles, and a heavily warn sail featuring multiple holes. The kite was totally ragged out, unflyable- and some of the damage was bad enough to prevent assembly. This guy was shocked- he trusted his instructor. You would do well to have an advocate. |
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Bondy
3 thumbs up
Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 425
Location: Perth WA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:33 am Post subject: |
#4 |
G'day Greg, I started with a Sonic 190 VG but wasn't the best option looking back. Given the chance to start over I'd go a Falcon 3, light, easy to rig and inspect and a safer way to build up your basic skills. Then once proficient I'd go something like a good second hand S2 for a while, sell it and then go a topless but still have the F3.
It's handy to have a back-up glider and Single surface gliders are pure fun, best of both worlds. I've been flying topless for 3 years now and am buying my first ever SS glider next week, a Falcon 3 195, totally stoked!  Better late than never.
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You only live twice
Sonic 190, Sting 154, Combat 2 14, Explorer, Mosquito NRG and a Falcon 3 195 |
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Bobfly
3 thumbs up
Joined: 13 Nov 2009
Posts: 3699
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:39 am Post subject: |
#5 |
My vote goes for the falcon 3. Easy to fly, easy to aerotow and easy to land plus they're just plain fun to fly and best of all, the resale value will stay up there for when you're wanting to move up.
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Freedom 170 FR
Last edited by Bobfly on Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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fireforthall
3 thumbs up
Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 129
Location: Blackfoot, ID
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:47 am Post subject: |
#6 |
| I will wait to reply until Mavi's questions are answered. I did just this in going from a falcon to a Saturn, so I wait! |
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TomGalvin
3 thumbs up
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 3548
Location: ............... Pagosa Springs, Colorado
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:17 am Post subject: |
#7 |
For the right student, a Saturn can be a perfect first glider after they have trained on their instructors equipment. Do the research Mavi suggested, and talk to your instructor about your skills, aptitude, and flying plans. Are you going to be a fair weather pilot a few times a year, a weekend warrior, or are you already living in a van in the LZ training everyday? The more advanced the wing, the more it requires you to be current in your skills.
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Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.
Charles Lindbergh |
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Eteamjack
3 thumbs up
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 1125
Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:51 am Post subject: Decisions |
#8 |
All things being equal I'd go for the F3. The Saturn is an intermediate wing.
Lots of better intermediates available when the time comes. Falcon has better resale value if you should decide to let it go. I sold mine in couple of days.
Falcon more forgiving in most cases of a low hr pilot. As mentioned doesn't hurt to have a backup wing and the F3 serves that purpose well.
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H4 (1979) Lake Elsinore. Ca. U2 160 (Sweet) |
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tom emery
3 thumbs up
Joined: 24 Sep 2011
Posts: 639
Location: san diego
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:52 am Post subject: Choices |
#9 |
| I was in the same situation a few months ago. I bought the Falcon III 195. Forget vg, forget double surface, forget every other factor except the most important one. You want to live long enough to graduate to a more advanced wing. There is a reason so many pilots reccomend these wings. It's called wisdom. |
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Manta_Dreaming
1 thumbs up
Joined: 03 Jan 2012
Posts: 445
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:55 am Post subject: |
#10 |
Falcon 3. Build your skills. Take your time and don't get discouraged by trying to advance too soon resulting in a bad experience.
_________________
Mountains always have the right of way.
If you've never forgotten anything in your life, you don't need to do a hook-in check.
You're going to die anyway so you might as well fly. |
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J Fritsche
3 thumbs up
Joined: 21 Mar 2010
Posts: 475
Location: Lompoc, CA ("central coast")
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:57 am Post subject: |
#11 |
I currently fly a Saturn 147 w/ VG and I love it. I love everything about it (light weight, easy launching and landing, easy turning, fast set up) except for the fact that I had to insert carbon rods into the trailing edge hem between the last two battens to stop sail flutter. Would I recommend it as a first glider vs. something single surface like an F3? Yes, IF you have SOLID basic skills AND have had a few successful higher-altitude and/or soaring flights on your instructor's beginner equipment first.
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Saturn 147, Predator 142 |
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