Eric Greenwell
September 19th 03, 02:28 AM
In article >,
says...
> It seems clear that the glider must have the same major
> components throughout the contest as during the first
> contest flight. But is it OK for a motorglider pilot
> to remove the engine and fly the whole contest without
> it installed?
Yes, at least for most self-launchers. The motor is not a required
component on my ASH 26 E, and the flight manual details the changes
required. For a contest, it'd have to be done before the first contest
day (or maybe it's before the first contest flight).
> Has anyone ever done this,
I know it's been done, but don't remember the pilots.
> or are there
> weight and balance issues, as well as airworthiness
> problems?
In my case, the main battery(s) must be removed, and probably some
weight (could be a standard 7 AH battery) installed in the tail,
depending on the pilot weight.
> If not, it seems like it might be great
> to own a motorglider, and if the contest looked like
> it would be flown in light conditions, just remove
> the engine for that contest.
Yes!
> Or just for regular flying
> too.
I've fantasized about doing this with my ASH 26 E: it'd be a dream
ship in weak conditions, with a wing loading of 6.7 pounds/sqft. At
8.2 pounds/sqft, it already climbs as well as an unballasted 15 m
glider.
> How much of a hassle is it to remove or reinstall
> an engine?
One hour to remove the engine, and maybe another hour or so to shift
the batteries around to get the CG right and empty the fuel tank. For
a contest, I'd also want to install the second (inner) set of bags to
allow ballasting to the full max weight.
> Has anyone out there removed an engine
> from a motorglider and then flown it?
Anyone?
--
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly
Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)
says...
> It seems clear that the glider must have the same major
> components throughout the contest as during the first
> contest flight. But is it OK for a motorglider pilot
> to remove the engine and fly the whole contest without
> it installed?
Yes, at least for most self-launchers. The motor is not a required
component on my ASH 26 E, and the flight manual details the changes
required. For a contest, it'd have to be done before the first contest
day (or maybe it's before the first contest flight).
> Has anyone ever done this,
I know it's been done, but don't remember the pilots.
> or are there
> weight and balance issues, as well as airworthiness
> problems?
In my case, the main battery(s) must be removed, and probably some
weight (could be a standard 7 AH battery) installed in the tail,
depending on the pilot weight.
> If not, it seems like it might be great
> to own a motorglider, and if the contest looked like
> it would be flown in light conditions, just remove
> the engine for that contest.
Yes!
> Or just for regular flying
> too.
I've fantasized about doing this with my ASH 26 E: it'd be a dream
ship in weak conditions, with a wing loading of 6.7 pounds/sqft. At
8.2 pounds/sqft, it already climbs as well as an unballasted 15 m
glider.
> How much of a hassle is it to remove or reinstall
> an engine?
One hour to remove the engine, and maybe another hour or so to shift
the batteries around to get the CG right and empty the fuel tank. For
a contest, I'd also want to install the second (inner) set of bags to
allow ballasting to the full max weight.
> Has anyone out there removed an engine
> from a motorglider and then flown it?
Anyone?
--
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly
Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)