New Powerplant

Snip

Its all been done anyway: a German University project flew a Ventus on a
single 35 lb st. engine (climb rate .001 m/sec IIRC) and there is/was a
glider on the US display circuit with a pair of 35 lb st. engines: the
implication was that it was self launching from a sealed run.

It's a not-so-silent Silent sailplane, based in Albuquerque:

http://www.silentwingsairshows.com/jet.html

Yes, it really does self-launch and is no worse than some motor gliders
I've seen. Personally, I'd like a bit more thrust if I were going to
self-launch.

Mike

I've seen the video of the not so silent wings. Now how long do you
think it would last until your neighbours would shut down the
gliderport? At mine, I guess about two weeks maximum.

Stefan

It strikes me that these units are much more suitable for use as
sustainers rathe than self launchers. You may only use them a few times
in a season saving on engine rebuild costs, their drag profile is
significantly better than a prop and two stroke engine assembly,
the'yre lighter than an IC engine. Lots of good reasons.