Biggles1049
7th Jul 2008, 14:11
One of the aircraft attending the Open National Gliding Competition at Tibenham this week is is G-DCDC an Antares E1 Powered Glider - very new type to the UK I understand - one of only a few in the country
http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/thumbs/1116964_t.jpg
Click this link to see a larger image Lange Antares E1, G-DCDC, Private (http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1116964/)
Zen Pilot
7th Jul 2008, 16:58
Lange Aviation produces two types of glider : the Antares 20E self-launching glider (with the electric propulsion system), and the Antares 18/18T glider with a turbo (self-sustainer) option. The turbo is in the final stages of development.
The Antares 20E technology is cutting edge: 42kW electric motor, powered by lithium-ion batteries in the wings; single lever power control; electronic Linux-based motor/battery control & monitoring with communication via GSM (the factory can run diagnostics via mobile phone); safety cockpit using same technology as F1. The quality of the engineering is exceptional, well thought out and not over-engineered.
Performance ? Best glide angle at least 1:56; Vne 150kts; laminar flow maintained up to 132kts. Full battery charge gives a direct climb to 10000ft (no noticeable loss of power/efficiency with altitude). At typical take-off weights, max climb rate is 730ft/min.
The only Antares 20E in the UK is "Z7", normally based at Portmoak in the Kingdom of Fife (Scotland). Z7 has flown the longest glider flights in the UK, including an awesome flight of 1240kms - and without using the motor except for take-off (and taxiing back to the hangar at the end of the day).
The first Antares 18 came into the UK some two weeks ago.
Only around 47 Antares have been delivered so far, with production running at about 2 per month.
If you're interested look at www.Lange-Aviation.com (http://www.Lange-Aviation.com).
How do know all this ? I took delivery of my 20E last Friday ;)