Flying a motorglider without the engine?

In article ,
says...
It seems clear that the glider must have the same major
components throughout the contest as during the first
contest flight. But is it OK for a motorglider pilot
to remove the engine and fly the whole contest without
it installed?

Yes, at least for most self-launchers. The motor is not a required
component on my ASH 26 E, and the flight manual details the changes
required. For a contest, it'd have to be done before the first contest
day (or maybe it's before the first contest flight).

Has anyone ever done this,

I know it's been done, but don't remember the pilots.

or are there
weight and balance issues, as well as airworthiness
problems?

In my case, the main battery(s) must be removed, and probably some
weight (could be a standard 7 AH battery) installed in the tail,
depending on the pilot weight.

If not, it seems like it might be great
to own a motorglider, and if the contest looked like
it would be flown in light conditions, just remove
the engine for that contest.

Yes!

Or just for regular flying
too.

I've fantasized about doing this with my ASH 26 E: it'd be a dream
ship in weak conditions, with a wing loading of 6.7 pounds/sqft. At
8.2 pounds/sqft, it already climbs as well as an unballasted 15 m
glider.

How much of a hassle is it to remove or reinstall
an engine?

One hour to remove the engine, and maybe another hour or so to shift
the batteries around to get the CG right and empty the fuel tank. For
a contest, I'd also want to install the second (inner) set of bags to
allow ballasting to the full max weight.

Has anyone out there removed an engine
from a motorglider and then flown it?

Anyone?
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Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)