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Old 20th Sep 2020, 16:03
  #21 (permalink)  
Jim59
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Luton
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perhaps Jim59 would tell us which airplane these interesting instructions apply to!
Schempp-Hirth Discus-2cT - which is still in production. It has a 2-cylinder 2-stroke Solo 2350 engine with a 5-bladed folding propeller. With a full tank of 13 litres of AVGAS / 2-stroke oil mix it has, in still air, a range of up to 200 nm without reserve.
The same glider is also available with a 'FES' Front - Electric - Sustainer motor. They have become popular because with the electric motor and prop in the nose it is a single lever operation for instant power - the drawback is battery capacity. Experience shows that trying to climb away gives very limited range - but may get you to another thermal - alternatively cruising at low level will get you further - but the range is probably in the order of 40 nm. There have been a few battery fires - with EASA banning there use in some gliders for a while - but I believe that the cause was identified and all restrictions now removed.
A small number of gliders have a gas turbine motor - these jet engines are small and lightweight, erect quickly, and the starting is pretty well full automated. Run on Avtur - but fuel consumption is high so range probable around 100 nm. But they do cruise under power at a good speed! You can hear them coming.

Right now petrol engines have greatest range - but most complex management. Improvements are being made to the petrol engine control systems to automate as much as possible and electric starters are now starting to be offered.

Jim59 is offline