Electrical systems
I was offered a self launching Silent motor glider by a retired KLM captain. I test flew it after a full briefing from the owner from Vinon and into the Alpes de hautes Provence; what the owner omitted to tell me that there was an ignition fault which would occasionally stop the engine accelerating above idle. A simple on off switch which interrupted the alternator field had been installed on the instrument panel.
I got very low at one stage and decided to use the engine which isn’t the easiest operation nor the least stressful. It extended, started but wouldn’t produce power until I played a one armed wallpaper hangar with the throttle and the switch.
The glider went back into the box and he flogged it to some other victim. I never attempted to use a glider motor in the mountains again.
Apparently the fault existed on all of that mark of motor glider.
Thanks Nic.
PS I was asked to become a partner and instructor on a series of microlight aircraft but turned it down; my would be partner crashed with the authorities’ test pilot after the engine failed to start.