Best option for electric self starting glider

On 4/9/20 12:20 PM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Magnus wrote on 4/8/2020 7:11 AM:
Hi experienced glider pilots,

I am a newly retired ex glider pilot that is updating my license and
want to do some serious soaring and distance flights in Europe now
that I have plenty of time. I live in Lausanne (member of Montricher
gliding club) and as well member in Landskrona gliding club in Sweden
as well where I spend most of my summers.
I have come down to the following alternatives for a private purchase:

- LAK 17C Front Electric Self starter, 18m, 22kW, 10.32 m2 wing
surface, MTOW 600kg and CS-22 certification

- GP-15 Jetta, retractable motor, 15m, 25kW, 7.78 m2 wing surface,
MTOW 470kg, UL/EcoLight certification

Both ships are flapped, take water ballast, Vne= 275km/h, wing loading
between 37 - 57kg/m2, L/D around 50 and has a base price of apps.
100kEuro

GP15 seems to be a more modern glider with safety cockpit, ballistic
rescue system and steerable tail wheel but LAK seems to be a more
stable company with longer experience.

This is a nice problem to have but I would very much like your input
as I have a one time opportunity to get my dream machine and I want to
get it right.

Where do you find the information about the LAK 17C? I can not find any,
not even on the LAK site.

My dream is for a smaller, lighter, simpler self-launcher, but with the
same performance as my ASH26E. I considered the miniLak, AS34, and the
GP15. The miniLak did not have enough wing loading, L/D, and powered
range for the Nevada/Utah area I often fly in, and the AS34 was just as
big and heavy as the ASH26E. So, I have ordered a GP15 for delivery next
year, as it promises the best compromise. It will be a few months, maybe
longer, before we know if it begins to fulfill it's promise.


Typing "lak 17c" into Google brings up multiple results, including an
Oct 2018 test flight in FB. Also been discussed on R.A.S.