In article 419ab2d8$1@darkstar,
(Mark James Boyd) wrote:

I'm still interested in the idea of a turbine powered sailplane
without a propeller. Sure, very inefficient (it looks like
about 3-4 times as much fuel consumed), but gliders seem about the
ONLY place where this may be a good tradeoff, since the time of
engine running is so short.

A low weight, fuel inefficient engine with no prop, a low weight glider,
and a medium performance L/D (meaning a low stall speed so
reasonable acceleration to takeoff). Must be a single engine,
otherwise it would likely be uninsurable (as if
insuring a glider with ONE turbine wasn't bad enough

A low stall speed isn't what you want. By far the most important thing
is a high Vne. The best way to climb in a jet is to accelerate in level
flight (in ground effect if you can) to Vne and then climb at Vne.



Other than a lightweight, inefficient turbine, I don't see
any other "revolutionary" powerplants for gliders which might
bring the cost down and create more widespread interest.

There are also rockets. Lighter, simpler, less fuel efficient, and
(probably) cheaper than jets.

--
Bruce | 41.1670S | \ spoken | -+-
Hoult | 174.8263E | /\ here. | ----------O----------