Why not a Motor Glider?

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drseti
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Re: Why not a Motor Glider?

Post by drseti »

I've flown both the Lambada and the Pipistrel. Though I prefer the fit, finish, and feel of the Lambada, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either. And both are LSA motorgliders (only downside of that is Vne < 120 kts).
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Jim Hardin
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Re: Why not a Motor Glider?

Post by Jim Hardin »

Where did you fly these?

The 'problem' with motor gliders has always been performance. Slow cruise as an airplane and low performance as a glider.
According to the specs...
The Pipistrel has good cruise (110K) but low glider performance (27:1). No spoilers but different wingtips for mission. (I am guessing it has the hatbox size cargo hold) Any long trips and you will need to UPS your suitcase. Curious how 914Driver overcame this.

The Lambanda states 86K as an airplane but 30:1 as a glider and spoilers. The Lambanda has the low/long wing issue of runway & taxiway clearance.

Deduct about 2' from the glide ratio to get to real world conditions and you end up with useful glider but not the stuff contests are won with. Didn't see or missed the cargo hold specs.

I think their limited use for either roll is the reason they just don't sweep the market.
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zaitcev
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Re: Why not a Motor Glider?

Post by zaitcev »

Jim Hardin wrote:The Pipistrel has good cruise (110K) but low glider performance (27:1). No spoilers but different wingtips for mission.
That's because it's a poverty level aircraft. Stemme promises 1:50 for the S10 model. Just costs a little more than Sinus :-)
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