On Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 5:38:23 PM UTC-5, Kenz Dale wrote:
On Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 1:22:48 AM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
I'd rather take my chances on something that would accelerate the glider 0-50 knots in 50 meters with the FES running from the very start of the roll. This would increase available runway ahead for launch failure and conserve a bit of battery power. Fully automated with pilot pushing the go button.


This is really the idea right here. As we increasingly embrace self-launch eGliders, I think we'll see more and more gliders operating out of small airports without the benefit of a club. Thus, what's missing in the conversation is a consideration of the CONOPS (CONcept of OPerationS) for single-person launching.

Cool idea, however, it has sort of been tried before. One of our club members posted this link to a film documenting initial tests with a semi-autonomous auto-launch system. Seemed to work, but with significant wear on the launch vehicle.

https://youtu.be/wwsa4PVYMJY