Warning !! Information dated or may be incorrect. Please check your aircraft flight manual for correct data regarding flight limits and capabilities of your aircraft.
The L33 FAQs
Warning !! Information dated or may be
incorrect. Please check your aircraft flight manual for correct
data regarding flight limits and capabilities of your aircraft.
Question: How many Sólos have been produced to date?
Answer: As of January 2000 ninety six.
Question: How many L33s are in the U.S.?
Answer: Forty one L33s are in the U.S. as of January 2000. To see a list of the L33 owners click here.
Question: How many L33s are in Canada?
Answer: There are five L33s in Canada so far as of January 2000. To see a list of the L33 owners click here.
Question: It looks like a small plane, how much room is in the cockpit?
Answer: The L33 Sólo was designed to accommodate a wide range of pilots in the terms of their sizes and weights. The L33 has a pilot weight range from 121 to 287 lbs depending on options and ballast. Also it has inflight adjustable rudder pedals and the back rest has five lower adjustments to fit a wide range of pilot heights.
Question: How difficult is it to assemble the L33?
Answer: Easy. The L33 has all automatic hookups and it assembles like all the other modern high performance fiberglass gliders. It takes about ten minutes to put it together with a crew of two.
Question: What is the best L/D and at what speed?
Answer: The L33 has a measured L/D of 31.5 at @50kts.
Question: What is the glide ratio with the airbrakes completely extended?
Answer: Very low! The spoilers on the L33 are a lot more effective than the airbrakes on most 15 meter ships. The sink rate is greater then 10 kts. Most pilots who have flown the L33 are impressed with this feature of the L33. This feature makes the L33 good for short field landings.
Question: What type of tow hook is used?
Answer: A TOST G 88/1-83 for the CG/lower hook and a TOST E 85/1-85 for the nose/forward if installed.
Question: How difficult is it to get parts from the factory?
Answer: No problem at all. LET has a world wide network of authorized dealers which keep an assortment of parts in stock and are eager to help you.
Question: Do you have to worry about the finish crazing on the glider?
Answer: NO! The L33 Sólo is made of aluminum and has a durable polyurethane paint finish. Waxing once a year with an automotive car wax or carnuba wax is all you need to do to keep the finish looking new.
Question: What is the empty weight?
Answer: 463 pounds (210 kg) depending on installed equipment and options.
Question: What is the maximum gross weight?
Answer: Maximum gross weight for the L33 is 750 lbs (340 kg).
Question: Does the L33 have a retractable landing gear?
Answer: Currently the L33 Sólo comes only with a fixed gear. However the L33 was designed with retractable gear in mind and an option or mod kit may be available in the future.
Question: Can the glider be tied down outside?
Answer: Yes! The L33 is constructed of aluminum and holds up very well when tied down in the elements. An annual wax job and regular washing keeps the L33 looking like new and there are no tendencies for water to collect in places like other gliders. If you do leave your L33 out in the elements, be sure to keep all of the bearings and linkages lubricated with a non water based lubricant.
Question: Will the L33 work well as a club or commercial ship?
Answer: Again the answer is YES! Clubs and commercial schools are using the L33 Sólo with great success. Being made of aluminum, it makes it easier to get the glider repaired and back in the air sooner than fiberglass ships. This is beneficial to clubs and commercial sites alike. Also the L33 is FAA Utility Type Certified (G71EU) which makes it easier and cheaper to insure for club and commercial applications. It is Type-Approved in Canada as well.
Question: What equipment is optional on the the L33 Sólo?
Answer: The following items are optional equipment on the L33 Sólo:
- Aero (Nose) Tow Hook - TOST E 85
- Wing tip wheels
- Electric turn and bank indicator
- Tail dolly
- Wing tie-down metal sleeves
- Accelerometer
- Variometers in meters, feet or kts
- Polished Aluminum Finish
- Custom L33 Sólo graphics design scheme
Question: Which radio is recommended for use in the L33 Sólo?
Answer: The factory recommends the Becker AR 3201 VHF transceiver for use in the L33 Sólo. The new AR 4201, which is smaller and lighter then the AR 3201, might also be used. Also the economical factory LS-5 radio with crystals is available.
Question: How can I find out more about the L33 and products mentioned on the FAQ page?
Answer: That's easy, just click here to get a list of dealers for the L33 and Avionics/aircraft equipment.
Question: What about competitions and is there a group like the 1-26 association for the L33?
Answer: Currently the L33 owners have not organized an association like the 1-26 association but that does not mean that we won't. When more L33s enter the U.S. an association of some type may be formed. As for contest, in 1996 we have started what we hoped to become an annual event. We held a one design class meet for the Blanik gliders. One class was the L33 and the other was a two seat class for the L23 and L13. The Meet was held at the Blue Ridge Soaring Society field at New Castle, VA. Since then contests/meets were organized each year and moved to different site every time. Watch the L33 Home Page for updates. Also you can check out the results of the past contests from the link on the home page.
