DG as viewed by our customers:
Opinions of our customers about the company or its products
It feels good to have everything paid for and (almost) ready for the shipping company! You may remember, I wrote my deposit check to Ed Hollestelle for an LS-10 over six years ago, and I am looking forward to receiving the first production LS-10 in the USA.
I have enjoyed very much my association with DG and of course meeting you at the convention and also the many emails we have exchanged.
I must admit that when a friend of mine called to tell me that DG had "taken over" the LS line, I was upset. "Oh no, not that!" I was thinking.
Now I know it was the best possible thing that could have happened.
I have always loved the LS line of sailplanes, and likewise have always coveted the "fit and finish" of all the beautiful DG sailplanes that I saw.
Now, I will have both. It is very exciting!
Thank you, again, for the personal attention while your company built my
LS-10.
I look forward to a long and continuous relationship with DG.
Sincerely,
John Bojack "J4"
ps. Can you please inform me when the glider will actually be completed and
when it will be shipped?
I have tried to resist asking but now the excitement is like centering a 10 knot thermal! 
Hello,
DG Mechanic Mathias Briesemeister visited me recently in Marfa to modify my DG-1000T landing gear and it works very well. He also spent many hours making my canopies fit better, as they will expand in the warm sun of Texas (which is why we have excellent thermals!)
Mathias is very professional in his work and he made sure I was happy with the gear modification. I am glad we brought him to the USA (the adjustment was more difficult than I could manage myself). Installing the new gear parts is only 30% of the modification. Making the small adjustments for it to work properly takes another 70% of the time.
Please thank the DG staff for listening to the customers and making the new modification available for the DG-1000 landing gear. This is very good service.
In the future, asking Mathias Briesemeister to travel to the USA for routine maintenance is a good idea for the DG customers here and for promoting the excellent "service" aspect of DG Sailplanes. Thanks to you for suggesting that he visit the USA. By the way, he speaks English very well, and I know that he took time to study and practice speaking just before coming to the USA.
Please add this email report to his employee file, and personally thank Mathias for his work in the USA for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH. Although he is primarily a mechanic, he is also a very nice person and by his professional work, an important representative for DG sales and service.
Please note that in addition to the good work of Mathias Briesemeister, sales manager has been quick to respond to all my questions. My old friend Knut Kjenslie in Florida has also been very efficient in the import and certification of my DG-1000T, and then brought it two thousand miles west to the SSA Convention last February so I could bring it just a few hundred miles back to Marfa in west Texas.
I must also compliment you! You have actively produced and supported an
excellent line of sailplanes, and more important, gathered an excellent team at
DG.
We made two short flights in my DG-1000T to test the gear and start the motor. Mathias did most of the flying and is getting better with the aerotow launch. I gave him a glider pilot logbook and a FAA US Student Pilot Certificate so on his next visit he can take some more glider training with me and possibly fly solo.
Thanks again for your advice and support. DG is the best!
Burt
Burt Compton, Master SSA Instructor / FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Marfa Gliders Soaring Center, west Texas
Hello,
DG Mechanic, Mathias Briesemeister, recently came to the US to install the landing gear modification on my DG-1000 along with several others.
I just wanted to let you know what a great job he did and hope you will pass on my appreciation to him and his manager. His visit and assistance just gives me one more reason to tell other glider pilots what a great company and product you have.
Also, I wanted to express my appreciation to you and the DG Company for your efforts in setting up this visit.
Best regards,
John Earlywine
Dear Mr. Weber,
I would like to thank your company in general and Holger Back in particular for taking the time to give a tour in your factory.
I became a DG-400 owner about 3 weeks ago, happened to be in the Bruchsal area touring on motorbikes with my brother, and just popped into your facilities.
We where helped by a very friendly lady, whom told us that a quick guided tour would be no problem. To our surprise, we got toured by Holger Back, whom I knew by name as a an outstanding glider pilot. The fact that we got a tour, without asking this in advance, shows your customer-oriented stance, that seems to live throughout the company.
Many thanks for the kind reception, hoping to have many wonderful flights in the DG-400, and later, who knows, DG-808, ...
Kind regards,
Tim
Tim Baeyens
Terlinckstraat 39
2600 Antwerp
Belgium
Thanks Michael,
It's always a pleasure doing business with you guys. Keep doing the
great job that you always have done! It makes me proud to own a DG!
Mark Westphal
Hello Michael and Günter,
I would like to thank you both for your great customer service !!!
The delivery of my requested spare parts is received in good order today. So I can install them this weekend.
The sales-value of the package is only small related to a brand new glider but the way you have been treating it, is very valuable for me.
As I am just a newcomer in the relationship with DG/LS as the recent owner of an LS7-WL, I am very happy with the way that you have responded to my requests.
So thank you very much for this and enjoy your weekends!
Viele Grüße/Very best regards,
Arjan de Jong
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Re: DG-808B, G-CCTK
Lieber Herr Weber,
In the first month of operation G-CCTK has logged 39hrs & 1940km cross-country; I am happy to report that the sailplane has performed perfectly and I am delighted with the standard of construction, handling and the impressive performance!
Please pass on to your Production Manager and his team, my appreciation of the workmanship that has gone into building this fine sailplane - Deutsche technical excellence indeed, with who better than Herr Dirks personally making the test flight.
Thanks to Volker Halbe's always helpful and prompt office, the specification/ordering went well; also of course, it was good to have Bob McLean's experience in completing the fitting out in UK.
Congratulations on your fine team,
Best regards,
Gerry English
Dear Mr. Weber,
I must write to compliment Mr. Pilpin on the excellent service I received concerning my recent spare parts order.
The order included a new rudder plus parts needed for recent Technical Notes and the required parts for replacement of fuel hoses and radiator hoses.
The order was sent on Monday and received today (Friday)...the only delay was the construction of the rudder, which wasn't really all that long.
We appreciated the gummy bears / hats / and bags/ it was like Christmas!!.... Mr.Pilpin and his associates are doing a great job! I can't tell you how good it is to be able to order directly from the factory and receive all the necessary parts so quickly. As I told Mr. Pilpin, I won't worry so much when I need that special bolt or when I see those surprising "TN's"...knowing help is only several days away...keep up the good work.
This is my third DG... I will buy another. As I have said before, performance is only one of the criterion to be considered when purchasing a sailplane. When you are at a contest and something breaks it sure is nice to know help is just an e-mail away.
Sincerely
Mark Macaulay (DG owner since 1981)
Dear DG.
My family and I are now back in Denmark after a sunny vacation in the southern France. I would like to thank you very much for the time you took to give us a tour of DG Flugzeugbau that we will never forget.
It was an eye-opening experience to see your production and to learn about the various production methods you use to make LS and DG gliders.
Since it happened to be my birthday the day we came to visit you, I must say that your guided tour was one of the best presents of the day. Thank you very, very much!
And please send my appreciations to the other members of the staff who gave us the hats, the wine gums and especially the guy in the production, who took the time to make a couple of model planes for our two sons (see picture in attached file).
Always happy landings
Lars Skovbjerg (and family)
Hi.
I've received the packet. Thanks a lot for your help and the quick delivery!
DG is without no doubt the most serviceminded glider manufacturer at the moment.
With regards
Bernt Hustad Hembre
Greetings Mr. Weber,
Thanks very much for the informative and excellent articles.
I'm glad to know that the glider manufacturers like yourselves do not ONLY care about selling gliders and doing business, but also participate in the well being and safety of your users, which is me and the other glider pilots. In addition, the articles that
appear on your site, are often discussed in general glider club meetings.
One article that I found absolutely IMPORTANT and very pertinent now that spring-time is around and the rusty pilots get back into the air, is the article on "Seeing has to be Learned".
Just this week-end on Saturday, I had a near miss with a LAK-19 which had no anti-collision red or orange markings on the wings and was totally new. I was flying to another thermal, and spotted him heading directly towards me. I emergency dived with airbrakes and he did not even remotely change his trajectory, almost hitting the KA-8 behind me. He obviously did not see us....
VERY dangerous: I can only say that your article VERY POSSIBLY SAVED MY LIFE!
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE IMPORTANT ARTICLES !!!!!!
Cordial regards,
Raphael G. Price-Wiemer
Dear all,
I am happy to announce that my dream became true yesterday. D-KOLE made its first flight during 1h30.
30 years ago when I started dreaming about having a glider, I was far form imagine that technology would evolve so much as to provide in the same frame the gliding performances, the safety AND...... a (fully automated) engine in the back.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who did support this project and provided advices, assistance, ..... .. ; and those who simply did "endure my lengthy enthusiastic speeches".
It was not evident, before the flight, to get fully prepared to "self qualify" on a mono-seat glider with an engine having such performances, especially when it is yours.
Even with 10.000 flt hrs in your back, I can tell you it is still "an experience".
But when you're strapped and the engine is running , you forget all and simply push the throttle to make to bird fly.
Another surprise : at altitude you stop the engine, which is storing itself automatically...and feel the silence of the nature.
It is great.
...free as a bird.
Christian Bousmanne
Friedel;
A note of thanks to you and DG for sending me your promotional material.
I was tasked to make a presentation on "Badge Flying" during which I wore the DG shirt. I was also able to give away DG hats as presents to persons who answered my questions correctly during my presentation. It is always good to reinforce a point with a present! The people will remember the answer for a very long time and think of DG at the same time!
I think that next year I will have to ask for more hats!
The DG CD was a very big hit ... these were given out right at the registration table and were all gone quickly. I am glad that I looked at one before ... because I saw the video clip of Lars Lundin in the DG-500.
This is very high quality and this is what I started the presentation with.
I also ended the presentation with the sound of "Ueber-den-Wolken"!
They must have liked my presentation very much... because now after the Annual General Meeting I find that I have now been appointed as the Vice President of the Soaring Association of Canada.. (but as we say in Canada ... "that and $2.00 will get you a cup of coffee").
All the best and safe and happy soaring.
Yves.
J.Y. Bastien
Commander
Director, Formation Personnel Support Services
MARLANTHQ Halifax
(902) 427-8611
Don Taylor:
Just a message to thank you for your excellent and continuous communications with the soaring community over the years. Your singing Christmas photo of the decorated tree in the entrance to your factory is great.
I own a DG800S and previously a DG-101, both of which I bought new from DG, and part of the reason is that I felt DG had a "personal" approach to its customers. (The owl story, for example !) Your early adoption and use of the internet and email newsletter is terrific and serves as a great forum. Of course it takes time to maintain it and deal with the feedback from the readers, and this is appreciated. The stories, pictures, philosophy and points of view are informative and thought provoking. And of course the web is the best way to obtain technical information such as operating manuals, technical bulletins, etc.
Hope you and your staff have a great holiday and good luck in 2003.
Don Taylor
Feedback on your website
Von: "Tony Noble"
I've recently joined a syndicate buying a ...............
A web search for articles, including flight reviews, etc, revealed very little - except numerous hits on your own website.
I emailed the company's website, asking them for some help. For example, links to relevant articles available on the web, or information of their own.
I received a prompt reply stating:
"You must wait until delivery of aircraft and flight manuals".
Not a satisfactory response!!
The point of this, is that no buyer of a DG-Glider could every be in this situation. Your website is a rich mine of interesting and informative material.
WELL DONE!
Tony
Another Statement:
Hello Friedel,
Tony Noble says in his email on the DG web site:
>I received a prompt reply stating:
>"You must wait until delivery of aircraft and flight manuals".
My own experience with another German supplier is, that I have never received the complete flight manual for our new sailplane from the manufacturer or his agent. I make do with an old photocopy from a friend who owned the previous model.
DG is certainly in first place with the web site and provision of information. I hope the others will follow DG's example, but they have a lot of catching up to do ...
Best Wishes and safe soaring
Phil King
Flying in Australia
by Geoff Neely
Two of us bought a rather old DG400M at a time when I was in Darwin, in the tropical north of Australia, instructing in a Blanik on the winch over unlandable country in temperatures of 36C and humidity nearly 100%. We had had to sell our Pawnee. I thereupon let my instructor rating lapse because all I had to do was drive a mere 300km on a highway with no speed limit (Germans would like this but it only applies in the Northern Territory) and fly the DG from the Royal Australian Air Force base where my co-owner was stationed. The FA-18As don't normally fly at weekends and the civil traffic got used to us.
The closest safe landing place was an airstrip 50 km out. In the dry season there is smoke and dust and the visibility is barely VMC. 50km out, looking at a low sun glowing through the haze, I would look at the GPS-coupled final glide computer, take a deep breath, add 1000 ft for headwind and sink, 500ft for instrument error, 500 ft for degraded performance and 500ft to make me feel better, and set off into the gloom. We have a rule that we only ever extend the engine over a landable field - you know why.
The glider is now at Waikerie, South Australia. Last season I got my best thermal ever, to 14,000ft (4300m). At Waikerie I have used the engine to get home two or three times each season, allowing me to go farther than I would otherwise without worrying about a costly aero tow retrieve.
The glider will soon go to Tasmania, the island State at the bottom end of Australia. There is a small population and only one club, which operates a Motorfalke with an Australian Jabiru engine, so the motor glider will come into its own again.
Herr Weber,
Thank you for your interest in our group, and your support of my personal flying enjoyment.
I just came from a 2 week soaring camp at Ely, Nevada - near Salt Lake City. The conditions were absolutely astonishing! 6000 meters, 6 mps, cumulus clouds, and good winds. Many national and world records, and many 750km and 1000km flights. Bob Hupe (new DG808, and 78 years old!) made a 1000km flight and needed his motor for the last 30km to land at sun down! Bob is amazingly active (ex-luftwaffe pilot) and an excellent soaring pilot - I may write an article about him.
Anyway, there was probably 10 DG's at Ely, mostly with motors, and we were all very happy to have our trusty engines to avoid inconvenient land-outs!
The airfield is at 6250 feet msl, but there was no problem with engine power!
Best Regards,
Jim Herd
"A Plethora of DG's
by Jim Herd
It promised to be just another average week ahead at this Mecca of soaring. But, frankly, it was a little more than that! It turned out to be "DG Week" - even if unofficially so.
Friday - Jim Herd DG-800B 300km Silver Badge
Saturday - Jim Herd DG-800B 500km Diamond distance
Monday - Steve Eddy, Dave Bingham, Pete Williams - all in DG-800B's - 500km Diamond distance (the only ones that day, 1 think!)
Tuesday - Bob Hupe DG-500M did the 500km "milk run"! (Again, for him.)
Wednesday - Rick & Rita Edris (Washington state) arrived directly from Port Hueneme with their brand new DG-808B
Thursday - Oliver Dyer-Bennett showed up with a brand new DG-808B in tow
Friday - Brad Hook (Hawaii) arrived to take delivery of that new DG-800B
Saturday - Brad took self-launch training with Tupper Robinson in his DG-500M
Sunday - Rick Edris took his self-launch training with Bob Davis in the new DG-505MB.
And these are just the highlights! With a backdrop of various other DG's flying around each day. Bob Hupe in his DG-500M (soon to receive a new DG-808B), Pasi (from Finland) in Harm Garrelts' DG-500M, Bob Davis in his DG-303......... And all this in a relatively quiet "preseason" week!
I don't actually live in or near Minden, but it is becoming a real magnet for us self-launch DG types! So where are all you other self-launchers flying??........
Roger and Lucile Hildesheim
Betreff: A Big Thank-You
Von: "Roger & Lucile Hildesheim"
Greetings from Canada,
Just wanted to thank-you and your employees at DG Flugzeugbau for your very professional and timely assistance in verifying the proper flight, maintenance and repair manual versions for our recently imported DG-300. You mailing of the required pages to me at no cost was clearly above and beyond the call of duty!
Thanks to your supporting documentation, the importation process from the US to Canada went smoothly and the first flight of C-GGZA (former N300FS) was on Sept. 3/00. As of Sept 7/00, we have logged over 10 hours of flying time in our sailplane. My partner and I are very impressed with the flying characteristics of the DG-300.
I can’t express enough how thoroughly impressed I am with the level of support that I have received from DG, especially for a product that was built over 16 years ago. Your web site is a "model" resource for how all manufacturers should support their products and customers.
Pete Williams
Betreff: DG-1000
Von: "Pete Williams"
An: Wilhelm Dirks
Dear Wilhelm:
Congratulations on your new DG-1000 first flights! It looks like a real exciting sailplane. Presume it will eventually be engined.
Minden is the USA motor glider capital of the world:
14 DGs;
7 Shempp-Hirth;
1 Schleicher
1-Grob;
and 2 Stemmes.....
25 in all and 2 more DGs to come in 2001(DG-808B & 505 MB). The evolution of DG continues as your factory is the only one in Europe that is not a "family affair" with the exception of Grob.
Your new facility will compliment production and sales.
There is talk here of establishing a motor glider checkout school using DG-500 and 505MBs, the first of its kind in the USA. You should be duly proud of your contributions to the self-launching sailplane industry. All DG pilots here at Minden have nothing but praise for the aerodynamic handling of their machines. Today 5 DG-800s self-launched in a row with yours truly leading the way.
Exciting times!
Pete Williams
P.S. Please pass this message to K-F Weber with my compliments.
John Kahrs - definitely NOT a customer of DG!!!
DG-
Next week I take delivery of a new Discus CS. Naturally, in my excitement I'm accomplishing nothing at work, just repeatedly surfing around various soaring web sites, and the DG site is no exception. I just wanted to write a note to say how much I appreciate the content that's in there, specifically the safety related articles.
The wisdom, care and concern that's in those articles shows a real effort on your part to make soaring safer. This is evident in that even though I'm buying from your competitor, all this information still applies to me, and really positions me well for the day when I start flying my new ship.
I'm soaring's worst nightmare. I'm a low time pilot with a brand new glider, one of those hotshot kids with stock options burning a hole in his pocket, so it's important for me to be not only safe, but still be confident, too. Peter Kelly's cross-country article really comforted me because it really made me understand that pilots of all experience levels can make mistakes, but Kelly goes a crucial step further by making and effort to analyze the errors of his flight and try to correct them. His admittance of his own fallibility at his level makes it easier for me to come to terms with my own.
I had visited the Discus shop in the Czech Republic and intended to write and article for Soaring magazine about sailplane construction when I stumbled across your "How a High-Performance Sailplane is Manufactured" section that made my research and photographs instantly obsolete.
You've created a real humanity and personality on your website, and that's something you don't find often in the sargasso sea of
commerciality of today's internet "content". You truly understand the web.
Keep up the good work. Who knows, I might trade up for a 303 someday, and not just because I like seeing my toes touch the clouds.
John Kahrs
e-mail from Fredy Schaffner
Dear Mr. Weber,
I want to congratulate you on the appearance of the exhibit by your firm in Friedrichshafen. Good presentation, competent booth personnel, and a very positive future oriented image made the DG booth number one for many glider pilots of my acquaintance.
I was able to get through the delivery time with the use of a glider loaned to me from the factory for two days. Finally, last Thursday I took delivery on my own DG-808B. Overall impression: Super!
I would also like to thank you for the friendly way my complaints were taken over the telephone and handled. I hope our future relations are just as good in the eventuality of new development problems with the DG-800B.
Sincerely, Fredy Schaffner
Answer:
Dear Mr. Schaffner,
I have to look again at your e-mail because you can't imagine how much my wife and I are pleased at such a positive response. Eleven months ago the factory was dead in the water; we have worked so hard to get it under sail and moving again.
That it has succeeded is shown by your reaction an that of others. That really feels good after all the troubles we had with undelivered parts and motors which caused a lot of customer discontent due to delayed shipment of finished gliders. Even my daughter (19 yrs.) now considers that it might not be a bad idea to learn to fly.
The real reason for this e-mail: Would you mind if I published your letter along with other similar ones on our web site under the heading "DG as viewed by our customers"?
Always happy landings, K.-F. Weber
Fredy Schaffner:
No, I have nothing against publishing such an article. Nur los!
The wonderful self launching capability of the DG-800B was illustrated by my flight with the glider loaned to me by the factory. On the 10th and 11th of April, I took off from Fricktal toward Vinon via the Jura in thermals and by passed Geneva, Chabery, Grenoble, and Col de la Croix Haute. The total motor run was 12 minutes including taxiing to the takeoff point. After a full evening with pasta, bouillabaisse, fish, and mussels in a "Roman feast", I took to my bed for a little rest in the Olivier Hotel.
The next day I flew back to Fricktal-Schupfart first in blue thermals until Briancon and afterwards in northwest wave via Bardonecchia, Modane, Val d'Isere, Bourg St. Maurice, and Gruyere. The landing was at 8:00 o'clock after seven hours.
I have dreamed of this flight for 10 years: to Vinon for dinner and return the next day. The DG-800B made it possible.
Best regards, Fredy Schaffner
Message from Peter Ekel, Switzerland:
Andreas Allensbach won the "RAL Birrfeld" in a DG-800S (15 m Winglets) owned by Erwin Villinger, which means he qualified for the Swiss Nationals. Last week he phoned to ask if there was anything wrong with the DG-800.
He carried 120 l water and still out climbed everybody.
Does Wilhelm Dirks have an explanation for this?
Best regards,
S. Honegger: DG-808 subject to prescription?
The following article, which left us very thoughtful, reached us from a customer from Switzerland. Could it be necessary to make the DG-808 subject to a prescription and therefore only available at pharmacies? But please, read for yourself:
Complaint due to danger of addiction to fun
Dear Mrs. Schwarzenbach, Dear Mr. Ekel,
I wish to inform you about an incident that might have dangerous effects.
The DG-808 once more surprised one with a very balanced flight performance during a targeted flight to Austria. That is how the pilot, despite some difficult circumstances during a 7.5 hour flight, landed totally relaxed.
The return flight the following day strengthened my determination to write to you and inform you about the danger of addiction to this sailplane. The 450 km distance was flown in less than 4.5 hours and the final approach was initiated 85 km ahead of the gliding field.
Result: 1100 km distance flight in two days.
I ask you to check, whether this glider should be subjected to a prescription as the side effects in my opinion must not be ignored!
On the other hand an active glide ratio-killing-tape should be discussed, so that this kind of flight will not become regular and therefore the danger of addiction will be limited! I kindly ask you to check my constructive suggestions.
Yours sincerely
S. Honegger
Wolfgang Pröscher
commented on picking up his new DG-800B :
If the DG-800 did not exist already someone would have to invent it.
eMail to Ernst W. Schneider from David Noyes, USA
Hello Mr. Weber,
the following may be interesting for you:
mfg - Ernst W. Schneider
-----------
EWS (Ernst W. Schneider)
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: David Noyes
An: ews
Betreff: Re: AW: 18 m gliders
Ernst W. Schneider:
>The DG800-S is my favorite anyhow but please share (with me) your
>reasons for buying (a DG-800B.)
David Noyes:
Our first consideration was rate of climb under power (because of high
density altitudes). Next was gliding performance and handling. It
is my impression from many opinions and flying my Ventus cM
side-by-side with the DG-800B that the DG climbs a bit better but
the Ventus runs a bit better. These differences are small.
Neither I nor my partner fly in competition and are not interested in the
last ounce of performance.
Handling: My Ventus must be flown at all times. I don't know if this
is a Ventus or S-H characteristic. It's not *difficult* to keep control
but it is not like my AS-W19 was. In the '19 I could set it in a
thermal and peel an orange comfortably. Now I must say that the
'19 was running about 30% aft C.G. whereas the Ventus is at about 60%
aft C.G. (% of the allowable C.G. range aft of the forward limit)
The next consideration was the "performance" of the dealer in the U.S.
This is important when one is long way from the factory.
I don't know if you have talked with either Herrn Weber or the sales manager, but
they are both *very* helpful and customer friendly. They are both very
"zugänglich" in that they are available by telephone, fax, and e-mail.
The DG Web site is very informative about their products and about gliding in
general.
Finally, the delivery time was a consideration. Big difference!
DG is 6-9 months and the others are longer; one at least, is *much*
longer. For us, this was the deciding factor.
The performance of the gliders is certainly important, but the
performance of the *people* you must deal with in connection with the glider are also
very important. There will be problems; the factory or their
representatives must not ignore you.
best regards, David "NL"
We were considering, if we should publish this letter. But please read for yourself:
37431 Bad Lauterberg
Kupferroser Weg 21
DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH
Managing Director .
Hello Mr. Weber!
Below is a report about the VENTUS 2cM:
Encounter with a retractable motor glider of newest Technology!
It was the beginning of April 1998 in Sisteron. The weather was a mix of rain and snow with low lying clouds. What do glider pilots do on days like that? They sit around and talk shop. (Even those who do not have any idea of what they are talking about), they inspect new gliders and praise the good old days!!
Suddenly the electrifying news that the brand new VENTUS 2cM with the powerful SOLO engine has just arrived. After a short search we found the trailer and it's proud owner.
„I can't tell you anything about the glider, I just picked it up from the factory“, he said.
Proudly he rolled the VENTUS out of the trailer. I was mostly interested in the engine and other technical details of the glider.
The engine was extended, propeller is similar to DG-808B. The exhaust points at a 45 degree angle towards the sky, supported by two very thin shaky gas struts. Not exactly a secure construction. An electrical propeller brake with an fully automated retract is unknown here.
The propeller is manually stopped over two roller bearings on two carved edges of the propeller axle. If the propeller does not come to a stop in the vertical position the entire procedure must be re-attempted.I consider this to be a "stone aged technology".
The starting of the cold engine begins after the engine is extended with primers by using a rubber ball!! "How often do you have to squeeze the ball" I asked. „Three or Four times“ was his reply. "The main thing is that you don't kill the engine if you squeeze too many times", was my skeptical response.
Now it was time for the first take off with the VENTUS 2cM. By full throttle it nose dived and skidded along the runway on it's fuselage for the first 40 or 50 meters!! Which shows that you cannot immediately give full power during take off. In the evening we inspected the damaged nose, which in this case was not too severe.
The climbing ratio of the VENTUS during the start was not impressive, "a good 3 m/sek", was the response to my question.
As a satisfied owner of a DG-808B I only can smile. The automated motor steering, starting with the primers of the engine dependent on the water temperature, the propeller brake with the electrical vertical positioning of the propeller and the starter with an automated engine retraction are here very high-tech. For those who do not know, the DG-800 climbs at a rate of 4 to 4.5 m/sek.!!
Full power during the take off without nose diving is to be expected. "How are you supposed to quickly lift the wings if you can not apply full power during take off?" The possibility of ground looping during the start is highly possible if the wings skid along the ground for a longer period. Even the small skid blocks under the wing do not look very faithful. The ground clearance of the wing needed to prevent damage during the start is too small.
The controllable tail wheel reminds me of Mickey mouse technology. Much too small and insecure. Good for parts sales of the manufacturer!!
In the air I have often flown together with a VENTUS 2c (without engine). Even though I have a higher empty weight he was never able to match me. In glide flight both planes are likely compatible, although a real comparison can only be reached my doing flight measurements.
Facet: As a customer and a pilot you are for the time best served with the DG-808B!!
This is my evaluation.
Peter Breme
How do they say in the magazines:
„Customer letters stand outside the responsibility of the editors”
However we are allowed to smile!!!
Ian Godfrey
On the good side, congratulations to all the "DG Team" on your recent products and the new communications programmes [DG Aktuell / WebSite / etc]. These help keep your customers feeling good about "DG" and interested in your product improvements and new models. I am sure that your existing customer base must provide you with a good opportunity to sell each of us a new glider in the future.
My own experience with the DG-800A has been excellent. It is a superb glider both in the mountains and over the plains. It's easy handling and cockpit comfort make long flights a pleasure, and its performance lives up to the factory's claims. I know that if I fail to finish a task or fly more slowly than other pilots, its due to my lack of ability and not the DG-800!
I look forward to a new season in '99 with longer tasks to fly and expeditions to France and Spain.
I recently saw William McNair's new DG-808B at Rufforth and am very impressed with the improvements that have been made since I took delivery of my "A" version. This is particularly noticeable in the Solo engine installation. I will be flying Bob McLean's "B" demonstrator to see for myself the difference between the "A" and "B" versions.
It is very possible that I will not be able to resist buying a new DG-808B in the next year or so!
I will be visiting the "Aero 99 show in Friedrichshafen and look forward to visiting your stand there.
Yours sincerely
lan Godfrey
Kevin Chapman
Dear Mr. Weber
I am very pleased and proud to see the Photo of my DG-101-G published on your Web Site featuring 25 Years of DG Gliders.
I am the sole owner of this DG and it is based at Matamata Soaring Centre - about 2 hours south-east of Auckland in New Zealand.
I have owned this Glider for about 4 years now, and have had many hours of pleasant soaring in this glider. Both my son and daughter fly the DG also.
Keep up the excellent work on your Web Page.
Best Regards
Mark A. Macaulay
Dear Mr. Weber,
I was not going to write anything concerning all the E-Mail that has been written the past few days; however, I feel I must.
I have owned two DG sailplanes and now have a DG800B on order.
My last DG was a 400; when I sold it, it had 1500 hours on the airframe and 50 on the engine; it was a super sailplane.
Now, one of the main reasons I ordered another DG was because of the EXCELLENT FACTORY SUPPORT I received during the ownership of my DG`s. I was amazed at the amount of TN's DG had to involve itself in for a fifteen year old ship; you manufacture a sailplane and you (the manufacturer) are, in a sense, stuck with it for life!!!!!; this is not an enviable position to be in.
I fully realize that you are not manufacturing a million cars on an assembly line and cannot possibly provide the reliability afforded by an assembly line process. But, for a handmade, one of a kind product, you come very close.
With regard all those who work at DG, I have never had anything but a good experience. My questions have always been answered; my parts have always been delivered immediately (I was always amazed at how fast I received them).
I have always been treated with respect.
Just wanted to let you know that there are many satisfied DG owners out here.
Keep up the good work!!!
I wonder if E-Mail is always such a good thing. One unsubstantiated accusation, one side of a story, and reputations are damaged; I don't think this is so good.
I'm glad you bought DG with all the problems that must be involved; what else would I buy???!!
Sincerely
Mark A. Macaulay
Oh, and I must mention a talk I had with a friend the other evening.
I was telling him of all the E-Mail I was having to send back and forth to DG in order to get all the little details arranged for my new sailplane. This sort of time is not usually required for the purchase of most items!!!
We both own our own businesses and decided that manufacturing sailplanes was not really the easiest way to make or lose money. A customer pays a small fortune for a product and inevitably thinks that all the money goes to the owners; I think very little gets there!!!!
In other businesses, a person purchases an item, the manufacturer assumes very little liability, for a short time, retains a large profit and goes on his way. We decided that a person had to be in the "sailplane business" because he loved it.
As I said before, we appreciate the excellent product. To all at DG: "Keep up the good work."
And before I close (you see, my relationship with DG has gone on for many years, and I could go on and on ) I must relate a story concerning my previous DG400. A TN had been issued regarding the cables going to the starter motor. Apparently the ring connectors used were too small so larger ones had to be installed. This required a special crimping tool which I did not know where to get (beside, I wanted to be sure everything was "perfect"). So, my wife called your factory, spoke to a DG receptionist (I don't know who she was) about my need for the special crimping tool.
Of course, I don't expect DG to sell tools, that is absurd, but that young lady went out during her lunch break, purchased the correct crimping tool for me at a local shop (in Bruchsal, I suppose) and mailed it to me!!!
I was shocked!!!.
You see, besides good performance, there are other things that have to be considered in the purchase of a sailplane.
May you sell many, many sailplanes!!!!!!
Mark A. Macaulay
After receiving his new glider:
Betreff: All went well
Datum:Fri, 02 Jun 2000 09:17:11 -0500
Dear Ms. Mehes,
Just want to let you know, and everyone at DG, that I flew my new DG-800 yesterday.
Everything worked perfectly, including the weather: I was able to declare and fly a 500k triangle!!! The plane is SUPER.
Our thanks to you and all at DG for helping to deliver our DG in such excellent condition and for all the help this past year.
You and your associates should be very proud in making such an excellent product.
Sincerely
Mark Macaulay
Wilhelm Viellieber
Greetings to my friends at DG,
Since this season seems to have come to an end, I would like to give my thanks to the DG staff.
As a new owner of a DG-808B, I have already flown 70 hours and every minute has been a pleasure.
Greetings also to Mr. Weber. His internet site is a very big success which my whole family gets pleasure from reading.
My very best regards,
Pete Williams, USA
Dear KF:
Congratulations on another DG newsletter!
USA pilots who fly DG products are always happy with the ease of flying characteristics and the smooth harmonization of the controls. Wilhelm has created both a fun to fly aircraft and a serious competition ship all rolled into one.
There will always be a cult-like club following of Schempp-Hirth only pilots who fly for competition. Whereas the DG pilot family covers a larger spectrum (and market!) of all types of pilots who enjoy the engineering and production quality always present in every DG sailplane.
In addition to a near perfect finish, inside and out, pilots appreciate the important things DG continues to offer that increase pilot comfort and safety.
The result is resale of a used DG sailplane is never a problem as the pilots who own them take care of them.
Keep up the good work!
Yves Bastien
Wow, 60K hits per months is very good indeed! Of course I believe it is because you have created the finest Web-Site of any glider manufacturer. Excellent content.
As an example, I will be going to Florida in the USA on business there in April. I have found out that a glider operator there (Seminole Lakes Glider Port) has just purchased a DG-505.
By going to your web-site I have already downloaded the DG-505 flight manual and will have memorized it, and printed the necessary checklists prior to showing up for my check ride.
That allows me to be supremely organized and not waste time, when I could be soaring. Das is optimum, Ja!
Thank you
Yves Bastien