On Saturday, October 20, 2012 6:27:22 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Andy,



Correct on all points except one. The climb rate of my two seat turbine glider is NOT less than a high powered tug. I easily out-climb our club's 250 HP Pawnees and I'd bet my turbine Salto would probably out-climb a winch.



Bob,

By "high powered tug" I was thinking of the SAIA-Marchetti SM.1019 (turbine Birddog), or an Ag-Cat. I need no special qualification to tow behind either. Can the Bonus Jet beat those with your normal reduced climb thrust, or even at max thrust?

In any event I still think the type rating remains the major obstacle to the introduction of turbine sustainers or self launch. If that was fixed the other requirement would look silly and would be more likely to go away.

Andy