"Marc Ramsey" wrote in message
. com...
I think the difference is that Bill is considering operating at much
higher density altitudes. In the western US, there are many glider
operations where summer density altitudes are in the 8000+ foot range.

Marc

Actually, most of the newer and larger diesels are turbocharged and have
electronic controls, including absolute manifold pressure sensors,
electronically controlled fuel injectors, and turbos with waste gates.
These engines will typically make full rated horsepower and torque at
density altitudes above 10,000 feet.

Electronically controlled engines also leave open the possibility of
controlling the engine without the typical manual input to the foot or hand
throttle. The foot pedal in that big diesel behind you on the freeway only
has copper wires between the foot pedal and the engine's ECU (electronic
control unit). It should be quite possible for someone (like you, Marc) to
program such an engine to desired and optimized parameters during each part
of the launch for each type of glider, with perhaps a hand control to
override the automatic settings. The ECU's on the engines already have
cruise control and PTO functions built in, as well as logger functions,
fault logging, fail soft ability, etc. Big trucks today have as much
electronics as cars.
-Bob Korves