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The Combat L was designed at the end of 2003.
From the very first test flights we could see that the glider flies
noticeably better than anything else we’ve been flown before. It
seamed quite promising and we were eager to test it out in a competition
against others best worlds gliders.
The competition season was already over and there was no other way to find out how the new glider going
than to go to Australia to take part in Australian competitions. So I did.
There were three usual competitions in Australia: Australian Nationals, Pre-Worlds (both in Hay) and
Bogong Cup. Unfortunately I got sick and missed the Nationals. But there were still two comps to go.
The glider was perfect. I did few adjustments and find out that it has wide range of possibilities:
it glides same as the others best gliders around and climbs about the same, maybe slightly better. But
there were still some possibilities left. I was quite happy to become second at the Pre-Worlds, remembering
that it is a bad omen to win a Pre-Worlds.
Next was a Bogong Cup. The weather was perfect and we had some nice flights. I have won it and came back home
knowing that Combat L was test flown in various, sometimes close to extreme conditions, there was no question
left about its performance and safety. There were some ideas how to make it even better. So there were some
changes made and glider went into serial production.
So what differs the Combat L from it’s predecessor - Combat 2? The letter L in its name answer s the
question – it is significantly lighter than Combat 2. Depending on glider size and option it is 1.5 – 2
kilograms lighter. But there is not only a weight reduction. Basically it is a new glider with a wide
variety of options. The sail design basically has not changed much. The main difference is leading edges.
They are made of 7075 alloy and have been completely different designed. Having about the same stiffness
they are significantly lighter. Standard glider includes all fancy staff including airfoiled control
frame. Optionals are: carbon fiber battens, additional aluminum round
bacebar, aluminum airfoiled speed bar, competition wires, additional carbon fiber inserts, light weight glider bag and light weight
pads. We found out that changing the battens stiffness change not only handling and climb, but performance as well. It took
as a wile to optimize diameter and diameter distribution of carbon fiber battens.
Now you can order a glider sail choosing one of the two available down
surface design variants and one of the two available options of the
upper surface materials: PX10T or Grille Polyester 180G, according to
your preferences.
With the Combat L we’ve got design which have improved both handling and performance. Because of the less
inertia of entire glider and outer part of the wing particularly the coordination of the Combat L is
significantly better than Combat 2 giving a possibility to make a tighter turn with a same bank angle which
makes climb more efficient, allowing to circle closer to the core of a thermal. It is possible to use more
VG on when thermaling which also improves a climb rate. The Combat L glides slightly better than Combat 2.
Same as all Aeros gliders it has light but positive bar pressure throughout all speed range, gliding fast is
easy and not tiring. Unfortunately we did not have clear comparisons done with Combat L against Combat 2 to
tell the difference in glide but certainly it is there.
There were few things done towards safety. The glider has stronger crossbar, the pull-back wire is changed
from 2.5 mm to 3 mm diameter. Actually the pull-back wire has been changed already on Combat 2 model. Carbon fiber speedbar has become stronger, too.
There are many minor changes made to make Combat L safest and easiest glider to fly.
The glider seams very successful.
Oleg Bondarchuk |
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