Airstart reliability

On Friday, July 8, 2011 9:39:02 AM UTC-7, Dave Nadler wrote:
So far, my Antares 20E has not let me down,
but it is a motor-glider and I fly it always
such that the day when there is a problem,
I will have a pre-planned and safe out.

My ASH-26E has never (completely) failed me either, but I NEVER expect it to start, and am always pleasantly surprised when it does.

I begin the start process at 800-1500' AGL, depending on what's below.

The one near failure was at the home airport. Began trying to start it at about 800' on downwind, and it didn't kick in until just before turning final. IIRC, it was flooded. The only reason I continued to try starting it was that the landing pattern was a no-brainer, and I had plenty of runway available.

In a contest, I may just choose to not attempt an air start, so I can use the few extra minutes and altitude to search for lift. I have also made a number of starts only to IMMEDIATELY find a thermal and shut down again in a minute or two.

-Tom