Snip

Its all been done anyway: a German University project flew a Ventus on a
single 35 lb st. engine (climb rate .001 m/sec IIRC) and there is/was a
glider on the US display circuit with a pair of 35 lb st. engines: the
implication was that it was self launching from a sealed run.

It's a not-so-silent Silent sailplane, based in Albuquerque:

http://www.silentwingsairshows.com/jet.html

Yes, it really does self-launch and is no worse than some motor gliders
I've seen. Personally, I'd like a bit more thrust if I were going to
self-launch.

Mike