Best Overall Motorglider available today?

On Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 1:48:13 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Didn't want to hijack the current FES tread so I thought I'd start a new one.
This topic came up over dinner a couple of weeks ago.

When you add all the following into a pot and stir, whats the "Best"
Say for Western Great Basin flying.

I think it may be the Carat, but I don't know much about it.
CX thinks its the DG 800 series, but all I know is since he bought that thing its been a endless battle to keep it running. But it does climb well.

FACTORS

Reliability
Maintenance required to keep it running
XC flyability, performance and control feel
Storability
Rigging
Initial cost
High density climb performance
Range
Cockpit layout and seating
Parts availability
Insurance cost
Landing gear complexity
Overall quality
Nick
T

Best answer...a sailplane someone else owns, insures and maintains that does what you need...but you can still fly when you want.....

On Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 8:03:57 PM UTC-6, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Ramy
I've tied down next to RV with his Antares in Ephrata a couple of years now.
He ties it on the ramp and has a very small Honda generator to charge it back up. The generator is very small and quiet, you can barely hear it running. If your out on the road I think this is how your going to charge your electric glider.
He loves the way that Antares's flys, he does not love the lack of factory support and all the problems he's had with the power unit's various components.
I'm sure Nadler could write a small book on the Antares problems.
It looks to me that the manufacture's can get the glider right, the electric propulsion system, not so much.
The AS34 looks good on paper, its such a huge claim of power I wonder if it is possible, and rigging those things day in day out with those heavy wings, and when your flying and run out of amps, your still heavy.
You show up at Tonopah at 9 am and you've got to rig by yourself, it might be a challenge, your not 29 years old any more.
Personally I've always wondered why you did not transition to a ASH 26E a long time ago.
I would think it would have matched your style.
Nick
T