I definitely agree that there are no guarantees that a sustainer will always start, but one of the real benefits of the FES is that if it does not start, there is no additional drag penalty.....

Thanks - Renny

On Monday, November 3, 2014 2:00:12 PM UTC-7, John Galloway wrote:
At 19:14 03 November 2014, kirk.stant wrote:


Andrzej, I understand the case for a self-launcher, with a much draggier
an=
d complicated power system. But aren't the "turbo's" supposed to be
simple=
and easy to start, and have about as much drag as the landing gear
when
ex=
tended? Not having flown either SLS or sustainers, I admit I'm just
guessin=
g here.

Kirk

The drag on a glider with an extended but non-running two stroke "turbo"
is similar to having about half airbrake extended - a lot more more than
just having the gear down.

John Galloway