Uncle Fuzzies take on Self Launchers

At 03:37 21 August 2013, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Uncle Fuzzy wrote, On 8/20/2013 7:35 PM:
My take on self-launchers launchers

� is really pretty simple. A self launcher means you can
launch
whether there�s a tow plane or not. Period. For me, that
would mean
I could launch from Jean, land somewhere, make camp (I love
�ramp
camping�), and launch the next day and fly back (conditions,
skills,
etc. permitting.) Essentially equivalent to having a tug
available
for the next day at any field. If tugs were always available, I
wouldn�t have any use for a self launcher.

You understand one half of the attraction of a self-launcher, but
like
many people, miss the other half: you can take risks with the
lift, and
if you guess wrong and the lift isn't there, you can start the
motor,
get to the next lift, and continue the flight. The ability to explore
without the consequences of a landout and a potentially long
retrieve
are just as valuable as avoiding the launch line or flying from an
airport that doesn't have a towplane.

I'm sorry you will have money left over at the end of your "final
glide", a fate I am trying to avoid. It's even harder to judge that
"glide" than one in a glider, and you don't get to practice it,
either.

Possibly, you could use some of the money to start a partnership
in a
DG1000 or other excellent two seater, like the DG1000 that
operates at
Ephrata, WA. You will have partners to fly with, they will be
introduced
to cross-country flying, and will pass that on as they become
proficient. It's well equipped, kept assembled and covered so it's
ready
to in moments, and seems to be fulfilling the mission envisioned
by the
original owner.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us"
to
email me)
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS,
Flarm
http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl


Talking about motor gliders with extending masts and gas
engines: all the advantages seem (at least partially) offset by
corresponding disadvantages, either physical or psychological. For
example, the major convenience of not needing a towplane is
partially offset by the usually-greater difficulty and risk of self
launching. When it comes to cross-country flying, a large fraction
(99%?) of field landings are eliminated with a motor glider, but the
"worry element" always remains (motors don't always start, and a
field landing in a motor glider will be more difficult and risky). Overall,
my experience is that I prefer my motor glider, however
the advantages are not as great as I had imagined.