Grob 109

I have over 800 hours in motorgliders, half of that in the G109.

Here is the scoop:

- Grob is no longer represented in the US. Parts availability is
starting to be a problem.

- It's not a good power plane (probably the performance of a C152) and
it's not a good glider either. (heavy and glider ratio of 27)

- Over density altitude of 7000', forget it. You will scare yourself,
and must be ready for slow climb, using thermals to get up. Had to do
that at the end of the runway once, which kind of stopped anybody
behind me from departing...

- You MUST sign to the G109 Yahoo list, where all the G109 and G109B's
owners are trying too help themselves with maintenance, tips,
pictures, etc...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/G109_P...ec=group&slk=1

- The canopy in the first model (there is no A model per say) is a
pain in the butt. Lot of them have cracked as results. This was
corrected in the B model which has two doors instead.

- Taxiing in the first model is also something to get used to. This is
different in the B I understand, although I've never flown it.

- You can't beat using only 4G/hr, and you can soar quite some
distances. I flew from Vegas to the Lake Powell once, a 6 hrs flight
only using the engine 2 hrs. Pretty amazing and fun!

- Never put yourself so low that if the engine does not start, you are
going to crash land it somewhere. It is still a glider after all, not
a get out of jail card.

- Once the engine has restarted airborne, plan on losing another 1500'
before you can move the throttle forward. Just a technique, but one
which will preserve cylinder temps.

- In case of an engine failure on take-off, you will be able to come
back to the runway from 300'AGL. This assumes gross weight, near sea
level, no wind. Practice first at altitude, or with an experienced
CFI.

- In the pattern, you will be wearing two hats: T/O like a power pilot
with your left hand on the stick, right hand on the throttle. From
half downwind, change your hat to a glider pilot, throttle idle, with
left hand on the airbrakes, and right hand on the stick!
Different mentality. If you are already rated in airplanes, this
should be an easy transition. Otherwise.... Well, it's good training
anyway...:-)

Motorgliders are definitely fun, and I've had some good flights in
them, but the Grob is a different animal as it is getting old, and
maintaining them are going to be challenging...