wrote:
1000 lbs at 25/1 Lift to drag needs 40 pounds of thrust to remain in
level flight. Any thrust above that number would result in either
climb or a faster level speed. So in theory, using those numbers,
40.0000001 pounds of thrust would get the job done - eventually.

The above 25/1 occurs at only one airspeed - faster or slower will
require more power. To self launch, you need, minimally, to accelerate
to that speed. Oh yeah, ya wanna launch from grass too? So, how much
power do you need? I dunno, but suspect that it will be a lot more than
40.0000001 pounds of thrust.

Tony V.