This is a Polish-built, aluminium two-seater that was bought brand new by the club back in 1994. Whilst only of average performance, it is excellent for basic flight training and also has the advantage of being rated for aerobatics for those that tire of straight-and-level flight. Puchatek (pronounced "Pooka-tek") apparently is Polish for `fluffy bear' and is their nick-name for `Winnie the Pooh'.

Specifications Span: 16.4 m Length: 8.63 m Height: 1.65 m Wing area: 19.94 m² Aspect ratio: 13.9 Empty weight: 347 kg Max all-up weight: 540 kg Limitations VNE: 107 kt Max rough air: 80 kt Max winch: 67 kt Max aerotow: 70 kt Performance Minimum sink: 1.4 kt at 40 kt Best L/D: 27:1 at 47 kt

This German-built two-seater is constructed of steel tube and and fabric with wooden wings. Whilst it is an older two-seater, it has surprisingly good cross-country performance ­ surprising for other clubs when it beats their fibreglass two-seaters at local competitions. The Bergfalke has been the mainstay of the club for many years and is so good that one of the club's instructors (Anthony Smith) bought one too. There is a rumour that only real pilots do their first solo in the Bergfalke.

 

Specifications Span: 17.2 m Length: 8.05 m Height: 1.65 m Wing area: 17.45 m² Aspect ratio: 17.4 Empty weight: 300 kg Max all-up weight: 501 kg Limitations VNE: 108 kt Max rough air: 91 kt Max winch: 59 kt Max aerotow: 75 kt Performance Minimum sink: 1.3 kt at 41 kt Best L/D: 34:1 at 51 kt

The club's two-seater powered glider, purchased in 2003. It is similar to the Bergfalke in that it is constructed of steel tube and fabric with wooden wings, but it also has a small motor and propeller. This allows it to launch without the aid of a winch or tow-plane and, if necessary, to stay up when there are no thermals or other lift. The Motor Falke can offer extended training flights on days where there is insufficient lift - an advantage which couldn't previously be offered to trainee pilots at the club. It is also great for general recreational flying, with flight distances not being limited by soaring conditions.

Specifications Span: 15 m Engine: 60 hp Empty weight: 400 kg Max all-up weight: 610 kg Limitations VNE: 102 kt Max rough air: 81 kt Max cockpit weight: 180 kg Min cockpit weight: 60 kg Performance Minimum sink: 2 kt at 41 kt Best L/D: 22:1 at 48 kt

The Pik-20D is the high-performance glider in the fleet. Equipped with camber-changing flaps, it is capable of flights in excess of 500 km. This glider has represented the club at the National Club Class Championships finishing 6th on one day and in the top 12 most days. It has also represented Slovenia in the World Club Class Championships held January 2001 at Gawler, where we were shown just how fast it could go!

 

Specifications Span: 15.0 m Length: 6.43 m Height: 1.34 m Wing area: 10.0 m² Aspect ratio: 22.5 Empty weight: 256 kg Max all-up weight: 450 kg Limitations VNE: 158 kt Max water ballast: 140 kg Max tow release load: 500kg Performance Minimum sink (310 kg): 1.2 kt at 42 kt Best L/D: 38.8:1 at 51 kt

This is the club's intermediate single seater and the first fibreglass glider that pilots get to fly. As such it is extremely popular with its smooth lines. It is easy to fly yet has good performance making it a great club trainer for local flying and early cross-country training.

Specifications Span: 15.0 m Length: 6.4 m Height: 1.4 m Wing area: 9.8 m² Aspect ratio: 23 Max all-up weight: 350 kg Limitations VNE: 108 kt Max rough air: 108 kt Max manoeuvring: 81 kt Max winch: 65 kt Max aerotow: 73 kt Performance Minimum sink: 1.18 kt at 39 kt Best L/D: 35:1 at 46 kt

Built at Parafield in 1963 by Australia's only glider manufacturer, ES Schneider Pty Ltd, the Arrow is a lovely, light, easy-to-fly single seater. Pilots fly the Arrow a short time after going solo in the two-seater trainers. Most then fall in love with it and become very possessive of it before their fickle attentions pass to the higher performance fibreglass single-seaters ­ but the Arrow doesn't mind, it looks after the next generation of pilots.

Specifications Span: 12.8 m Length: 6.5 m Height: 1.3 m Wing area: 10.2 m² Aspect ratio: 16 Empty weight: 190 kg Max all-up weight: 280 kg Limitations VNE: 128 kt Max rough air: 73 kt Max winch: 60 kt Max cockpit weight: 97 kt Min cockpit weight: 56 kg Performance Minimum sink: 1.6 kt at 39 kt Best L/D: 26:1 at 44 kt Stall: 34 kt

Built in West Germany originally as a development of the H301 Open Libelle, the Standard Libelle is one of the most popular gliders ever built. Known for its light weight resulting in excellent 'feel' of lift conditions, it is capable of flights of over 500km. The club's Standard Libelle is owned by member & instructor Peter Cassidy but is generously available for those suitably qualified to fly.

Specifications Number built 601 Length 6.19 m Height 1.25 m Wingspan 15 m Wing area 9.80 m²  Limitations Max AUW 350 kg VNE 250 km/h Performance Glide ratio 34.5 at 85 km/h