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  #55  
Old September 22nd 20, 10:37 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default FES underpowered for 18m ship?

'I can climb quickly from 200m to 400m (500 - 1200ft) then have
enough left for 75km in stillish air. Low power is more efficient so
if you recognise the day is dying earlier you don’t need to invest
the charge in climbing so range is much better. It will never
match the range of a conventional turbo but will always get you
away from a farmer’s field to an airfield near home.'

Are you saying that you would cruise home level at 1,200 foot above the ground? Depending on the terrain you are flying over, how can that enable you always to have somewhere to land if the motor dies? In my petrol self-launcher, even over fairly flat land, I would typically climb at least to 3,000 foot before leveling off and cruising home at 85 knots (if I am not feeling impatient I generally climb as high as I need to glide home).