Bob Kibby wrote:
My D-2T does not self launch. After an aero tow the D-2T handbook says 216
nm range based on sawtooth method at 882lbs gross weight, 3.43 gal of usable
fuel. I don't think that any current small jet engine approach can even
approach this. I think it will take a high bypass fan to compete with my
current and existing performance. Any one need a copy of the Flight Manual
pages documenting this performance?

Bob Kibby "2BK"

This turbine approach absolutely will not compare to the fuel
efficiency of a piston engine. Our point was simply that
fuel efficiency issues are dwarfed by the other advantages of
a turbine. Four times a small number is a small number.
If the turbine uses four times as much fuel (14 gallons in this
case) we are really talking about an additional 70 pounds/$20
of fuel, which we believe is a minor additional cost
compared to the other advantages a turbine provides.

This is clearly not true for ALL applications (if the 70# extra
means you are over gross and can't fly, then this kills the
whole idea). But on balance, for many cases, it looks like the
turbine idea, with it's fuel inefficiency, is interesting...