Diana 2 chasing a Grob Speed Astir II

Skimmer is being chased by a Diana 2.

[@andrewfletcher8919]

Hi I am looking at a Speed Astir 2b, and I am struggling to find much information about them. What is the handling like, low speed thermal etc anything would be great.

[@Max50ww]

Did you buy it Andrew? I’ve owned a Speed Astir IIB for 9 years. A lot of bang for the buck!

[@albertobadano9421]

Hi Pete nice video, can I ask you some questions about flying the speed astir? I´m very close to get mine. Oh, my name is Alberto from Argentina. Regards.

[@lorentzinvariant7348]

Would love to hear how Ron likes the Diana 2. Appears to be a significant amount of misinformation on the web about the Diana and would like to know what a real owner thinks. Also how tall is he if you don't mind me asking. I also wonder if I could fit in one. Any info would be much appreciated.

[@B14kh4r4z]

I'm impressed how well the Speed Astir could keep up with the Diana, or did you use the airbreaks reduce the difference in height?

[@thermalbug]

No spoilers used. My Speed Astir had winglets added in 1997. when I first bought the ship I thought I had bought a real piece of crap going by the reviews online of non owners who reviewed them. after owning mine for 5 years it is still the best aircraft I have flown. I swear I am getting close to 42:1 or slight better. the Diana was running with no water this day and we stayed together all day. if we both had water I am sure the Diana would walk away from me. look up my name on the OLC. Pete Casti. you will see the huge flights I have had with it. So, after owning my speed Astir and talking to many other owners, turns out we all love them and don't want to trade to an other ship. Most of the reviews out there are not true, perhaps written by people with poor skills that have to rely on the forgiving qualities of a super ship to take them far. many people told me to buy a libelle. so glad I did not as I out perform every libelle I have ever flown against. The Speed Astir is not a floater but west coast conditions are what this ship excels at. Wave, ridge and thermals, fly it right and she takes you far.

[@B14kh4r4z]

From my experience, my speed hold up with an LS4 and is slightly worse than a mosquito. The max. L/D i have flown in almost dead air is around 38. www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/flightbook.html?sp=2016&st=olcp&rt=olc&pi=58228