I chose to take the Wills Wing U2 160 to Zapata this year to make an attempt to break the Sport Class record, the one set by Larry Tudor when in 1994 he flew from Rocksprings, Wyoming. His record was 495 km (308 miles). Having had four flights over 300 miles from Zapata (in AIR ATOS gliders) I figured that there was a chance to fly a king posted glider further than 308 miles in the right conditions. Unfortunately nothing like the right conditions ever showed up in 2009.

Now I chose the 160 for two reasons. I wanted a "big" glider than would stay up easily in the light conditions that i would experience before 11 AM north of Zapata and south of Laredo. I also wanted a glider that would go down wind just fine. I didn't need any penetration. I wanted light wing loading that would be more optimal for slower flying down wind speeds.

I had already heard from another pilot that the U2 160 was a glider that was easy to handle for a pilot of my weight (175 pounds) even though I was on the low end of the recommended optimum body weight. When I showed up at Zapata with my big machine Pete Lehmann said that he very much disagreed with that assessment. He was wrong.

I got the opportunity to fly the 160 in weak and strong conditions, with strong and light winds in Zapata and I found it a joy to fly. I had absolutely no problem handling the glider in the air and on the ground. It was light on the ground and light in the air.

Now, I did find that indeed at my weight there was very little penetration against 20 mph winds, but again that was not the point of getting this big glider.

The U2 160 was easy to tow, much easier than the T2 144, that I have been flying for the last few months. Now I've had no problem towing the T2 144, but the U2 160 was just a lot easier. It was very steady in tow and I was able to tow with one hand in thermal conditions, pulling up and down my zippers.

The U2 160 was very easy to land. Definitely easier to control on approach and landing than the T2 144. It is a true intermediate glider.

The VG is very easy to pull on, to past the full VG mark. The sail tightens up very nicely and the glider wants to go fast and glides well. The VG range is very large and I found myself using the VG a lot to get the base bar way out (I was pushing it above my head) in thermals and then to get the base bar back with light bar pressure for long glides.

I wouldn't suggest that someone whose weight is on the low end of the optimum weight purchase a U2 160 for general flying purposes, but rather go with the U2 145. My hook in weight is 210 pounds, ten pounds below the top end for the U2 145.

Next year is another year, and maybe we'll change our record hunting strategy. We'll see.