JS3 chatter

On Friday, December 16, 2016 at 3:02:19 PM UTC-8, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
The product placement is a bit perplexing to me. The thought the JS-1B was a 15/18 glider. They stopped production of the B in favor of the JS1c. Now the Js1c and the Js3 will be competing for many of the same customers who want an 18 meter bird. If the reports are to be believed a wing area of 106 sq. ft. does not leave much area to support the weight of a sustainer system. 2/3 of the ASG-29's built have been sustainers and are flying with a min wing loading of 8.6-8.8 pounds.

The self launch Js1c is a great idea and will likely take away much demand from the ASH-31. Just wondering why make a 15/18 to compete with your already successful 18 meter bird. Why not build a 2 seat 20 meter glider, with an option for clubs to buy it at 18 meters with fixed gear. Just musings from a rainy Southern California.


I think the product placement is similar to Schleicher's. JS3 and ASG29 for 15/18. JS2 (original name and probable final name?) and ASH31 for 18/21. The JS2 will be bought by those who want to self-launch or want to fly in Open Class, and everyone else will buy the JS3.

One interesting tidbit from Uys's talk at the last SSA Convention was his comment that they were planning to do a self-launch jet for the American market. Presumably that would be an option for the JS3, if they still intend to follow that path.