Sorry to disagree. The Slingsby T61 Venture was build
for the UK Air Cadets and was a different aircraft
to the Schiebe SF-25. The basic design was the same
but there were significant differences. They were much
lighter for a start with a carbon wing spar instead
of the wood, and an Ardem engine with electric start
(eventually)
The engine is not a Stamo, it was a Rollason Ardem
conversion. The engine is a converted standard VW Variant
1200cc engine. As far as I am aware the only ones Slingsbys
built all went to the RAF and were later sold off.
They were a joy to fly and a magnificent teaching machine.
Cruise at 70kts/2 gallons an hour and totally benign.
I sent over 60 16 year old students solo in them over
8 years.
DAJ
At 17:30 04 December 2004, Ian Cant wrote:
At 04:30 04 December 2004, R. Wubben wrote:
Is this an exact copy of the Scheibe SF-25?
The early ones are exact copies, later versions diverged
in engine and wingspar - but essentially the same aircraft.
How hard is it to get Stamo engine parts in the US?
Probably impossible, but VW parts easily available.
What would one go for in the US if it has been well
taken care of and
recently recovered and repainted?
No idea, let me know if you find out. Look carefully
at the empty weight.
Could one register it in the new sport pilot, or Light
Sport Aircraft
rules?
Possibly yes; probably hard to do. Experimental-exhibition
motorglider is straightforward and less restrictive.
How are they to fly?
Great fun as long as you're in no hurry. Will climb
out from density altitudes of 10,000 ft - but only
just. Expect typical 5,000 ft rate of climb around
250 ft/min under power, cruise around 60 kts under
power, glide performance very much like 2-33.
Ground handling better than most motorgliders, but
still requires care.
Any big AD's on them?
No ADs [except possibly for the magneto], Slingsby
can provide a bunch of recommended tech notes. BGA
website lists recommended inspections.
Thanks for any collective wisdom out there!
Ryan in Madison, WI
Good luck,
Ian
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