Proairsport. New ultra light glider/airplane

On Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 1:56:56 PM UTC-4, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Curious what wings it's using. From the "airframe section" on their webpage, sorta sounds like they're using wings that are already "JAR certified", thus on an existing aircraft......

isn't it obvious? they look suspiciously similar to PW5 wings, and have the same span....

On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 8:23:02 AM UTC+13, ND wrote:
On Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 1:56:56 PM UTC-4, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Curious what wings it's using. From the "airframe section" on their webpage, sorta sounds like they're using wings that are already "JAR certified", thus on an existing aircraft......

isn't it obvious? they look suspiciously similar to PW5 wings, and have the same span....

Pod and canopy look like PW5 (except for pointed nose). Undercarriage position is PW5. Only the boom and tail feathers are significantly different. Even the maximum weight is the same, though the empty weight is 10 kg less, despite the engine and funky powered dual mainwheel.

The PW-5 lawn darts over 50 kt. It takes a
bunch of work to go places, but the thing
has a nose for thermals.

Pulling up the wheels might flatten the
polar.

Finding space for the battery, jet and fuel
looks a challenge.

If the fuselage will accept PW-5 wings,
there's lots of PW-5s that might convert.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 2:00:05 PM UTC+13, George Haeh wrote:
The PW-5 lawn darts over 50 kt. It takes a
bunch of work to go places, but the thing
has a nose for thermals.

I've flown one or two hours in PW5, and even a few 250 or 300 km flights. It's worth flying 60 or 65 knots between thermals, but yes serious lawn dart by 80 knots (500 fpm down, 16:1)


Pulling up the wheels might flatten the polar.

Doubt it. It's the very thick wings hurt it at speed. Personal experience says Januses and DG1000 Clubs both go just fine at 100 knots with the wheel hanging out.

This thing looks awesome! I want one.

On 3/16/2015 10:39 PM, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 2:56:19 PM UTC+13, GR8 wrote:
http://www.proairsport.com/

Those close-set main wheels aren't going to keep it level on rough ground.

Electric powered wheels to help get to flying speed is a very good idea though. Acceleration is not jets strong point.

Since most of the energy for the launch (until you break ground, anyhow)
would be coming from the wheels, would this qualify as a ground launch?

Inquiring minds want to know...

On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 5:19:08 PM UTC-5, Vaughn wrote:

Since most of the energy for the launch (until you break ground, anyhow)
would be coming from the wheels, would this qualify as a ground launch?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Sorry, Vaughn. It would be considered a self launch. But, just for special effect, it would be cool to put clorox on the tires, so you could do a burnout as you are taking off!

I wonder about the tire footprint on grass fields. We might be seeing the
tires digging little trenches.

At 22:23 18 March 2015, Steve Leonard wrote:
On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 5:19:08 PM UTC-5, Vaughn wrote:

Since most of the energy for the launch (until you break ground, anyhow)

would be coming from the wheels, would this qualify as a ground launch?

Inquiring minds want to know...

On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 10:30:05 PM UTC-5, George Haeh wrote:
I wonder about the tire footprint on grass fields. We might be seeing the
tires digging little trenches.

At 22:23 18 March 2015, Steve Leonard wrote:
On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 5:19:08 PM UTC-5, Vaughn wrote:

Since most of the energy for the launch (until you break ground, anyhow)

would be coming from the wheels, would this qualify as a ground launch?

Inquiring minds want to know...

I'm looking forward to the burnouts on asphalt! This is a silly idea. You're better off with a bungee cord to get to take-off speed.

On Friday, March 20, 2015 at 3:15:48 AM UTC+13, wrote:
On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 10:30:05 PM UTC-5, George Haeh wrote:
I wonder about the tire footprint on grass fields. We might be seeing the
tires digging little trenches.

At 22:23 18 March 2015, Steve Leonard wrote:
On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 5:19:08 PM UTC-5, Vaughn wrote:

Since most of the energy for the launch (until you break ground, anyhow)

would be coming from the wheels, would this qualify as a ground launch?

Inquiring minds want to know...

I'm looking forward to the burnouts on asphalt! This is a silly idea. You're better off with a bungee cord to get to take-off speed.

Why, other than the weight of the electric motor and battery?

Car tow would be better than bungee. But either needs to have someone else around to help.