This glider just felt right from the beginning, and in the same low wind conditions it floated quite nicely and felt perfect. I asked the instructor if there was a next size up and I assembled an F2-225 that was nearly brand new. I did maybe 3 or so flights on the F3-195 and then decided it was not working for me so much with the current conditions. I did a few flights on it in farily light wind (3 to 6 knots or so) and I had to run pretty far down the bunny hill to get airborne. Anyhow, on my second lesson, I had progressed to a falcon and I tried an F3-195 since it was already put together. I just started flying and only have a few lessons under my belt, but I am coming from sailplanes so I am learning pretty quickly. I am 6'4' and 235 lbs, but I have been in the 240 range lately. Since I've got a 13' car, w/a ~13' ladder strapped to it, and a 19.5' burrito on top of it, it does look funny, but works a charm! The front/rear tie downs I'd say are an absolute must, and actually makes the ladder platform very stable. It doesn't have to be very tight at all, or at least not as tight as I had thought. I mention this, because I was starting to ratchet it down, and my instructor caught me and said 'NO'. Since there's so many rungs, there's really not a lot of forward/backward force on the glider, you just want to keep it from lifting the nose or tail with wind 60mph. Essentially as loose as you can get it w/o the glider sliding off. Then I've got some pipe insullation on each rung, and two more straps to tie the glider to the ladder at the front and back. I strap the ladder to the rack, then use rope to tie the ends of the ladder to my front and back tow-hooks (thank you VW for putting those in there). I've only got a VW Jetta, w/a Yakima rack, plus a '20ft' ladder, which actually has only 13 feet between the first and last rungs. Yep, I've got a F3/195, and it's 19.5 feet on the nose, when rolled up in the bag as it would be for normal transportation (and how I store it in my garage). I'd buy a used cell phone, a used car, and used clothes before I'd buy a used glider from which I'll be hanging a few thousand feet up. My instructor sells at such a discount, I could probably get what I payed back if I sold out of area, but I plan on keeping mine. That having been said, the resale value of the 3 should be high, as I have yet to see one up for sale. If I lived in aerotow country I'd plan on training on any falcon for a year, flipping it, and buying a sport 2. Since you are obviously ruminating the purchase of one and have expressed a certain tightness of budget, I'd recommend the falcon 3 if you intend to keep it long term and an older one if you intend to flip it. # Clip style battens (inside 4, each side) # Mylar insert in the leading edge helps it retain its curve for airflow # Expanded double surface and improved sail cut yield enhanced aerodynamic # Transverse batten extends washout support provided at wingtips, allowing for reduced number of reflex bridle lines and lower cable drag # Standard control bar is contoured for greater comfort in flight. # Optional Litestream performance control bar can be bolted on with no change to flying wires # Quick – attach nose cone enhances performance Technically, the Falcon 3 has a few improvements. which speaks to the quality of the whole line. The only Falcon 2 pilot I've seen core at a higher bank angle is a Wills Wing test pilot who has a F2 - 225 as his personal wing. I don't know how much of that is the glider. I definitely core thermals with greater confidence than my fellow n00bs. It's a little better in higher wind conditions and slope soaring, IMHO. My first flight in a falcon 3, I was very heavy on the controls, as it was much more responsive than the others.

But, the 195 is much more responsive and penetrates better. The 3 is a 195 and a little less lifty in light conditions (those 30 sq. The 1s and 2s were 225s and very floaty and stable.

Falcon 1 225 hang glider for sale