A dream come true!

On Friday 11 September I was allowed to go to Ostheim together with Micro to fly the EB29, Walter Binder’s newest aircraft.

The first impression of the EB29 is excellent. It’s not even a prototype, everything is already painted and perfectly installed. “Can that be?” I think. I marvel at the beautiful shape of the fuselage and the steeper vertical stabiliser. The high-set wing with the high undercarriage allows a very good angle of attack, so the EB29 will take off early, even at 900 kg and on softer ground.

The cockpit offers an incredible amount of space. Even pilots up to two metres tall will have no problem finding space here. The controls are functionally installed and can be adjusted to suit all body sizes. The narrow wings now fit even more beautifully with this marvellous single-seater fuselage. The whole thing is now a visual harmony.

I immediately make the patterns for the new Jaxida covers. The perfectly shaped body contour inspires me more and more!

There’s an old saying that what looks good must also fly good, and it really is true. Walter and Oliver Binder offer me the cockpit. Micro wants to fly after me. As you know, you don’t have to ask me a second time if I want to fly and I’m aware of the honour. After only six months of construction, I get to experience this dream. I take a seat and am completely surprised at how differently you can choose your seating position. Upright or lying flat – unimaginable in previous cockpits.

I adopt a more upright sitting position and fasten my seatbelt tightly. I start the engine and accelerate quickly. The EB29 takes off early and climbs superbly. The crosswind from the right is incomparably easy to control, even though I am flying over a wingspan of 28.3 metres. The agility is immediately noticeable. I am completely surprised that this huge aeroplane reacts so quickly to the control surfaces. The even deflection of the wings gives a very elegant flight pattern and a good feeling of safety for the pilot sitting in it.

After retracting the folding engine, I immediately circle into the thermal. For me, it’s an absolute dream how easy it is to centre this beard. After many hours of flying a two-seater, flying the EB29 seems like child’s play. The control surfaces are even smoother than on the two-seater, so you can feel the thermals on the stick.

Oh, how beautiful it is. A dream come true for me. Years before, I had dreamed of this single-seater on these wings and now I was one of the first pilots to really experience this dream. If you have to change the circle, this “giant ship” follows the rudder deflections as a matter of course. This harmony! The thread remains in the centre.

Finally, I fly to the Wasserkuppe, because this historic flight for me must also lead over this mountain, on which so many historic highlights of gliding have already been flown.

Of course, this aeroplane creates a problem: whoever is allowed to fly this super glider in championships now has no more excuses. Now it really is up to the pilot!

Congratulations to Walter, Oli and the Binder Boys, this aeroplane is a success, it is a dream come true. Thank you for letting me fly the EB29.