MaD wrote:
Eric Greenwell schrieb:


I think it is odd they accepted the range limitations of an electric
system for the 20E, which has about 1/3 the powered range my ASH 26 E,
but weren't willing to accept a similar range limitation for a
sustainer. I suggest a sustainer that could climb 3000' on it's battery
would be enough for a majority of pilots, and this would allow a
significantly smaller battery to be used.

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Yes, then the battery could be 1/3rd of the 20E-size. But:
No, I don't think 3000' would be widely accepted. That would only give
you an extra 60km range, so basically only good enough if you missed
the last thermal on your way home over flat country. In the Alps, with
two or three mountains between you and home: no good.

So, not a good choice for the Alps, but two thirds of the USA (the part
east of the Rockies) doesn't have the "problem" of multiple tall
mountains. Even the Western USA has mostly mountains separated by wide
valleys with fields and airports.

Do the sustainer equipped gliders have enough altitude capability to get
over the mountains in the Alps, or does the pilot return by flying
through the valleys?


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Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

www.motorglider.org - Download "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane
Operation"