On 4/5/2013 10:22 AM, Papa3 wrote:
I think Bob K's post just above yours says it all. We already have
wonderful XC trainers with engines - they're called Duo Discuses
(Discii). They cost a lot of money, and very few blue collar glider
training operations are going to buy one, at least here in the US.
I'm sorry, but Greg may be disconnected from the realities of a
typical club or low budget FBO. Managing a sophisticated system
like you describe? Hah! I watch what the ASK-21s, Blanik L-23s, and
2-33s go through at our operation and those nearby. We're lucky if
we can keep the 12V SLA battery charged with working connectors in
order to run the radio and electric vario :-)

The engine system Greg proposes is nothing like the ones on the Duo
Discus. It is far simpler to operate: turn on a switch and it starts
providing power in a couple seconds (no mast to raise); move the power
lever to get level flight or climb. Got your thermal? Power back, switch
off, and you are a glider again in less than 5 seconds (no propeller to
stop, no mast to put away). Compare that to managing the gasoline motor
on a Duo.

If the instructor can't manage getting the propulsion battery put on
charge, he has no business being an instructor. That part of the
operation is simple compared everything else in an instructional flight:
"Jerry, take this here battery to the clubhouse and plug it into the big
charger. Bring the one that was on the charger back with you, or you
don't fly next."

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)