In Germany & Switzerland, we have a clear distinction between touring
motorgligers (TMG) and powered sailplanes through the licenses which are
required to fly either of them.
For a powered glider (turbo or selflauncher) you need an additional entry in
your glider license, for a TMG you need a TMG license.
You can't fly a TMG with a glider license, or a powered sailplane with a TMG
license.

The LBA maintains a list of models with their attributions to one or the
other group. The main criterion is whether the aircraft can be reasonably
used for crouise under power (TMG) or if the power plant is optimized for
climb only (DG, Ventus, Nimbus, ASH,...)
The Stemme is the only aircraft with decent soaring capabilities which has
been classified TMG.

"bumper" wrote in message
...
I guess sometimes the lines between motorglider and self-launch sailplane
get blurred (thank you Dr. Stemme :c). However, I'd consider the Taifun,
Carat, Grob 109, etc, as motorgliders or touring motorgliders. Generally
their L/D might be 25 to 35 or thereabouts.

The ASH26E, DG-808B etc (those with propellers on pylons that hide away
after launch to leave what looks like a "pure glider" behind, fall more
into the category of "self-launch". L/D can be as much as 50 or more.

The Stemme does both, possessing the excellent power and ground handling
capabilities of the best touring motorgliders, along with the soaring
performance of a good self-launcher. The Stemme can do things I wouldn't
attempt in my ASH26E. Of course this capability comes at a price - - both
in Euros and in systems complexity.

Opinions?
--
bumper ZZ (reverse all after @)
"Dare to be different . . . circle in sink."

Quit Vent kit and MKII "high tech" Yaw String


wrote in message
ups.com...
For anyone interested in the Taifun 17E motorglider, there is a new
discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Taifun17E/

The Valentin Taifun 17E is a motorglider (or self-launching sailplane).
It has 2 seats, side by side, a 17m (56 ft) wingspan, retractable gear,
flaps and spoilers. It has a nose-mounted Limbach motor of either 80hp
or 90hp, driving a feathering prop. Factory specifications show a best
glide of 29:1 and a thermaling speed of 49-52 kts. Performance is said
to be comparable to the Ximango and in the same general class as the
Diamond Katana/Xtreme, Grob 109 and Pipistrel Sinus.

Anyone who owns, flies, or has a general interest in the Taifun should
come on over and visit!