Electro-self-launching sailplane

The AE-1 is a self-launching sailplane. The innovation is that the thrust
is given by electric motor! http://www.airenergy.de/silent/index.htm

I think that it is the first battery-powered glider with retractable
propeller but I am not sure. Have you already see this kind of propulsion ?

Do you think in 10 years (or more), the electric drive will be use on every
self-launching sailplane ?

Clément,

clement wrote:
The AE-1 is a self-launching sailplane. The innovation is that the thrust
is given by electric motor! http://www.airenergy.de/silent/index.htm

What kind of battery weights are we talking about?

Tony V.

"cdubya" wrote in message
...
Why only in europe do I see innovation in the field of self launching?
Has
there been no advancement tword this technology in the US? I guess if you
tried then the big oil companies would snatch up the patent and kill it.
If
anyone knows of anything like this going on state side, please post it.
This stuff is exciting!!!

Craig

I think you're onto something. If the oil demand due to launching
sailplanes were drastically reduced the entire oil economy could crumble.
Yeah, that's it.

You are right,
oil companies prefer to spend heaps of money for
the US election campaign of the next US president
and then ask him as a favour to dump tougher con-
sumption limits for cars.
But it,s even better for them, if the presidents family
is in the oil business.
Chris


"mm" wrote in message ...
I think you're onto something. If the oil demand due to launching
sailplanes were drastically reduced the entire oil economy could crumble.
Yeah, that's it.

Sure,
especially in flat land country
tows mostly can be replaced by winch launch easily.
The problem here in Australia is, that I nowhere have
seen a modern, safe winch and that on airfields with
mixed general aviation traffic and gliding operations
winch starts are not allowed. Last season I had an
average launch height of less than 1500ft - the winch
would do that as well, but cheaper.
Chris


"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
nk.net...
The amount of energy used in our hobby is no joke if you include the tug,
SUV to tow the glider trailer, etc...

I still like winches. They use about 1KWHr. per launch or about .5 liters
of
diesel fuel.

Bill Daniels

In article , "CH"
writes:

You are right,
oil companies prefer to spend heaps of money for
the US election campaign of the next US president
and then ask him as a favour to dump tougher con-
sumption limits for cars.




If you have a business why invest in infrastructure? Invest in politicians,
the risk is lower and the return on investment much higher.

Steve