GP Gliders GP 14 Velo has finally FLOWN!!!

On Thursday, November 24, 2016 at 6:09:14 PM UTC-8, Tim wrote:
Good Evening All:

After a very long wait, the GP 14 Velo took to the air yesterday (November 24th) from Krosno, Poland by both aero-tow and electric self-launch. More details to come but check GP Gliders on FaceBook for pictures and video. First pilot reports are very good. We are finally flying!!!

Tim McAllister
GP Gliders USA

Looks like a fantastic glider Tim, congrats to GP. Anyone have any comments about the Velo, or any of the GP gliders for that matter? Thread drift into completely unrelated topics/nonsense is becoming the norm on this group.... So, is there a timeline for US delivery for the Velo? A rough timeline for the Jeta that you could inform us of Tim? The Jeta seems like a glider that could fill a very large niche. It sure would be one that would do all of what I want from a glider if it performs even close to advertised. I wonder what the planned empty weight and max gross are, and how much ballast it might take. All questions that I'm sure will be answered when GP wants to answer them, but I thought I might get the thread back on track...

On Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:57:24 AM UTC-5, wrote:...
I wonder what the planned empty weight and max gross are, and how much ballast it might take...

For the GP 14 e Velo

Empty weight: 170 kg
Max. take off weight: 420 kg (255 kg UL)

http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-14-e-velo

On Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 9:20:45 PM UTC+1, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:57:24 AM UTC-5, wrote:...
I wonder what the planned empty weight and max gross are, and how much ballast it might take...

For the GP 14 e Velo

Empty weight: 170 kg
Max. take off weight: 420 kg (255 kg UL)

http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-14-e-velo

here is the GP 15 info http://www.gpgliders.com/gp-15-jeta-0

The more I look into the GP gliders and trailer the more I'm liking it. The propulsion is same company partnered with FES. http://www.mgm-compro.com And the battery in the wing is not an original concept. The German company Lange Aviation has been using it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSZxLewd8BA&t=61s look at 3:11. The trailers look very durable.

I wonder about charging the batteries in the wing. They must be pretty safe to be charged in the wing.

Casey

I think the GP15 is the smartest concept I've seen in ages. 13.5m gliders are stuck with club class performance (plus some, maybe) because of the massive span penalty. If GP is able to build 15m glider with kind of ultra-light structure with high aspect ratio, small wing AND stuff in electric propulsion plus rescue system, that would be awesome. Questions in my mind a 1) how are they going to achieve the stated empty weight, 2) are they able to mass produce (anything) and 3) are they able to certify it? Last two are essential questions.

How much weight do the batteries add to the wing? Will weigh something
like a LAK-12 to rig?

On 11/29/2016 5:32 PM, Casey wrote:
The more I look into the GP gliders and trailer the more I'm liking it. The propulsion is same company partnered with FES. http://www.mgm-compro.com And the battery in the wing is not an original concept. The German company Lange Aviation has been using it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSZxLewd8BA&t=61s look at 3:11. The trailers look very durable.

I wonder about charging the batteries in the wing. They must be pretty safe to be charged in the wing.

Casey

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Dan, 5J

I've been told that the batteries will be removable, so you don't have to charge them in the wings. However, you presumably have to rig with them in the wings. The Antares 20E is one-man riggable with batteries in the wings, so it can be done with the right equipment.

On Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 3:15:15 AM UTC-5, krasw wrote:
13.5m gliders are stuck with club class performance (plus some, maybe) because of the massive span penalty.

So in your mind, the range extension of the sustainer does not compensate for the lower glide ratio?? Could the 13.5m could do the same task in the same time on the same day as a 15m pure glider?

The 13.5m might even go farther/faster than the 15m pure glider because the pilot could be smart and use the engine selectively.

Assuming aerotow, do you think that many pilots will land at the end of the day with fully charged batteries? If I had one I think I would land with a 50% charge or less. What do the people that already have FES do on a typical day?

You guys are worrying too much.

This is a tiny, extremely modern glider. The batteries will add AT MOST 50 lbs per wing. Probably more like 30 lb. per wing or 60 lb. total. And without batteries I'll bet these wings are AT LEAST 50 lb. lighter (EACH) than any current 15m wing. So it's a wash in weight, with the batteries in the wing, with a current 15m (standard, not motor) glider such as an ASW-27. I would suspect that it might be lighter than a 27 wing, even with batteries.

The prototype had a picure (99%) sure, without batteries, and the guy was carrying the wing around under his arm like a large RC glider. Maybe I am wrong on this. Anyone?

Also, aero-towing with the boom deployed (and motor ready to go) would be very easy and practical to do. I cannot think of anything that would prevent certification of that procedure. The only thing I could imagine might be she shocks on the propeller in the aero retract (sprung bach clean) position. Maybe heavy gear hits on take off roll could somehow damage it.

Sean

I don't think towing with the boom erect would effect certification.
There may be a /_prohibition_/ in the flight manual but, if it's
experimental, IIRC you can do anything that you demonstrate during your
flight test phase (unless prohibited).

On 11/30/2016 12:26 PM, Sean wrote:
You guys are worrying too much.

This is a tiny, extremely modern glider. The batteries will add AT MOST 50 lbs per wing. Probably more like 30 lb. per wing or 60 lb. total. And without batteries I'll bet these wings are AT LEAST 50 lb. lighter (EACH) than any current 15m wing. So it's a wash in weight, with the batteries in the wing, with a current 15m (standard, not motor) glider such as an ASW-27. I would suspect that it might be lighter than a 27 wing, even with batteries.

The prototype had a picure (99%) sure, without batteries, and the guy was carrying the wing around under his arm like a large RC glider. Maybe I am wrong on this. Anyone?

Also, aero-towing with the boom deployed (and motor ready to go) would be very easy and practical to do. I cannot think of anything that would prevent certification of that procedure. The only thing I could imagine might be she shocks on the propeller in the aero retract (sprung bach clean) position. Maybe heavy gear hits on take off roll could somehow damage it.

Sean


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Dan, 5J