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Rummaging through the Internet Walt Konecny found a 1-34, N17921, available at Turf Soaring in Arizona. After determining that the glider appeared to be in good shape at a reasonable price the board decided to pursue the purchase. Arizona Soaring Association was asking $14,495 including an open Schweitzer trailer. Lee Steorts was planning to go to Arizona to do some glider aerobatic training so he arranged his schedule to look at the 1-34 and I accompanied him. What we found was a very clean yellow 1-34 with blue trim with about 2500 hours total time and placarded for a maximum pilot weight of 226#. It's serial #81 where N7636 was #16. The dive brakes work on a mechanism similar to a 2-33 without a locking button on the handle. The words "Buzzard Wings" are painted tastefully on the nose in the blue trim paint so consequently we've been referring to it as "Bravo Whisky". Conditions at Turf were not good for soaring but Lee and I both took tows of about 3500? and performed various maneuvers and stalls and felt the aircraft performed as expected for a 1-34 with the exception of feeling a bit tail-heavy and needing more forward trim compared to N7636. While Lee was cruising about inverted with the Turf folks I pulled inspection plates and covers and and Lee and I generally inspected everything possible. We found the forward trim springs to be a bit weak which is easily correctable. Thorough review of the aircraft logs showed no significant damage or repairs so we made an offer of $14,000 and that evening, after a phone discussion with our board, arrived at a compromise of $14,500. We trailered the glider to Hurricane where Marc Emley came out to help us assemble it. The trailer is capable of carrying the full range of Schweitzer gliders. It's in quite good shape and could bring us up to $1000, I?ve been told, should we sell it. Marc and I both took flights at Hurricane and Marc was of the same opinion as Lee and I; It flew like a 1-34 without any undue characteristics other than being a bit tail-heavy. BW is due for an annual in May and at that time we'll need a new weight and balance. At that time we'll have a new oxygen system and smaller bottle which will which will change things. The 1-34 manual states that the nose must be on the ground when the pilot is sitting in the glider. Sometimes this can be affected by moving the seatback forward. Otherwise, carry sufficient ballast to bring the nose to the ground when you are sitting in any 1-34. A complete manual is in the ammo can you'll find in the glider. Remove the ammo can when you fly. BW is available to fly at Hurricane. For tows call Kel Jensen at 801-635-7059 at the airport or at 801-652-0309 at home. Contact Kel before you leave, preferably days in advance, to avoid arriving and having someone already flying. Kel is operator of the glider operation at Hurricane called "Whisper Flight" and is very helpful and congenial. To find the airport turn left at the Motel 8 in town. Lee and I stayed there. It was $38.00 for two. Fred Wright |