You guys need read the ops posts. He is not competing in an actual sailplane event such as time, task etc. but wants to compete in a scale competition. Since scale judging has a requirement called realism he is probably concerned with penetration so scale flight in less than ideal wind conditions can still be simulated. In this case ballast will be the answer but you need to try this with little or no wind up 3 mistakes high and discover what if any are the changes in stall and flight characteristics. By all means add weight in smaller amounts until you reach a comfortable medium. I have a hanger nine Pawnee of the first generation that was so lightly wing loaded that it was difficult to land in anything but a light wind. The flaps actually made it worse. I tried moving the CofG but that did little to smooth the plane out at low speeds on landing. I found that filling the wing tube with a lb and a half of lead right on the CofG settled the plane down and now it lands perfectly in breezy conditions and has become my new loaner plane for visiting pilots.

We also have a small man made hill locally that can be sloped but only when the wind is right on the hill, brisk and steady. I bring my Sophisticated Lady and Gentle Lady and with ballast they are able to handle the wind without getting blown over the top. You have to be ready to ballast to the conditions and live with the changes in performance.



Dennis