Mentor 2
Today, Hannes Papesh gave me the honor of flying the final 2 prototypes of the Mentor 2. While staying in the middle of the 1-2 category, this glider offers performance equal to that of many 2-3 gliders. To say it was impressive is an understatement. We met at an incredibly picturesque site, Achensee, Austria. One of the most beautiful places in Europe and it is just 20 minutes from Nova’s headquarters. For our first flight I was given the final prototype to fly!
Our first flight was early in the day and the air was perfectly still. According to my Flytec 6030, I had an average glide of 9.3:1. Yes, 9.3:1!! I was 75% into the weight range and I had an Advance Impress 2 pod harness. The handling was very nice and maybe a bit more dynamic than the original Mentor. On our second flight, the thermals had turned on and we were able to dial up to cloudbase and cruise around the valley, over the lake and make a bunch of turns! I thought that the Mentor 2 climbed very well, handled very well and inspired confidence in the air. Everything I look for in a glider. This one should be a real winner.
Construction details are – 3 riser, same aspect ratio as the original mentor, shorter lines than the original Mentor and no mylar in the leading edge – only nylon “weed whacker” cord. This makes for a much lighter glider and softer re-openings from deflations. All in all, a major improvement from the Mentor and quite possibly setting the performance bar for the 1-2 and 2 class gliders. I really wanted to take it with me on my continued flying safari through Europe but sadly, I could not.
Your’s truly at cloudbase.
Jeffrey Farrell – Reporting from Austria.
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SWEET!! I’m one of the many who just look longingly up at gliders but have never tried. This looks terrific, and your description of the Mentor makes it sound so simple and enjoyable!
A flying safari through Europe? Sounds like life is pretty rough for you these days!
I WANT ONE!!!!!
SO WHILE I HAVE NO WHERE NEAR THE SKILL OF JEFF IN THE AIR, I HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO FLY THIS A FEW TIMES, ITS ALL TRUE AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED AND IT WILL BE MY NEXT WING. CRUISED AWAY FROM THE TOP OF OF THE NORTH SIDE TUESDAY IN SOME “SPORTY” AIR, WAS ABOUT 100′ OVER THE TOP, WENT HANDS UP AND STRAIGHT OUT, PAST THE RV GARAGE, TURNED BACK AND HIT THE HILL WITH A LOSS OF ONLY ABOOUT 500′. ( PROBABLY A MILE OR TWO) SEEMS TO HANDLE ROUGH AIR WELL AND HAS GREAT FEEDBACK, FEELS LIKE IT WILL THERMAL SUPER DUPER. YOU NEED THIS ONE!