Kenn Sebesta wrote on 3/6/2021 10:31 AM:
I predict that people just want to launch. If we can use 8-10kg of 20C LiPos to get to 1k', with 5 minutes of cruise left over, and a freshly charged pack waiting on the ground, then it's basically a winch launch. And as those of us who have flown in the EU know, winch launches are great ways to get flying.

I know people want much more than a launch! Note that sustainers are sold by all the major
manufacturers; actually, pretty much all the manufacturers. A company (LZ Design/FES) arose to
service that market electrically. A corollary to your density remarks is doubling the battery
capacity of that "launch only" glider won't add significant weight or cost, and would enable a
couple of saves or a self retrieve. A launch-only glider with easily swapped batteries might
make sense as a busy club glider where pilots are flying for an hour near the airport, but no
one else will buy one.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1