{"id":4759,"date":"2011-10-26T11:12:57","date_gmt":"2011-10-26T18:12:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=4759"},"modified":"2011-10-26T14:40:03","modified_gmt":"2011-10-26T21:40:03","slug":"small-car-small-motor-big-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/small-car-small-motor-big-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Small car, Small motor, Big Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

This recent video from FES (Front Electric Sustainer) <\/a>in Slovenia shows a relatively low-budget way to launch and sustain a sailplane in flight.\u00a0 This was uploaded\u00a0to YouTube\u00a0by Lumakaja<\/a>\u00a0on September 27, with the following commentary.<\/p>\n

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New FES logo<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThis way of sailplane start, can make gliding much cheaper! Idea is simple: Use of FES after being airborne with help of auto-tow. Only a few sailplanes have high enough landing gear, so that propeller clearance on grass is not too small for safe self-launch. With minimal help of auto-tow than all FES equipped sailplanes would not need towing plane or winch any more to become airborne. All you need is FES equipped sailplane, usual car and about 120 meters (384 feet) of Dyneema rope. Such start could be used also on relatively short, let say 750 meter (2,460 feet) long airfields, which are otherwise too short for usual winch or car launch!\u00a0 If only short runway is available, then more powerful car is needed for good acceleration.\u201d<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HGFwsc6avq8<\/p>\n

The LAK-17 is a composite 15 (49.2 feet) to 18 meter (59 feet) span, single-seat sailplane made in Lithuania.\u00a0 A normal gross weight of 360 kilograms (794 pounds), can be increased to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) with water ballast.<\/p>\n

The LAK\u2019s round, symmetrical nose is necessary for FES use (it must emulate the sustainer motor\u2019s spinner shape).<\/p>\n

Towing by a Peugeot 307, a 105-horsepower hatchback, shows that even a fairly heavy sailplane can be sent skyward by modest means.\u00a0 The transition to electric power after the release of the tow rope seems pretty seamless, and the climb rate is impressive.<\/p>\n