- The decision height with the motor is MUTCH higher, if you want to be
safe,
- The decision point is MUTCH more critical - try a failed motor-start,
followed by a non-retract, then landing with huge drag/sink of motor out...

If your motor doesn't retract, of course your over a landable surface
anyhow so what is the big deal about the motor being out? I've
watched a DG800 land with his motor out and off. When questioned
afterward he said it still has decent L/D and lands quite well.

- There have been multiple times I didn't finish because I had to decide to
air-start HIGH, and I would easily have finished in the unpowered glider
with lower and less critical decision heights.
I love the flexibiliity of the motor-glider, but it comes at a significant
penalty. Less so with a sustainer of course, which is a much better
compromise if you've got a tow to get started.

The problem with your arguments are that they are all based on the
claim that of course ALL motor glider pilots always fly
conservatively. Realistically that is a load of crap. Motor glider
pilots have the flexibility of flying over unlandable, or less than
desirable terrain, getting the additional points that provides then
starting their motor and going home.

Here is a story as reported to me. That removed any doubt I may
have had regarding motor gliders having an advantage over non
motor gliders.

While attempting to qualify for the Hilton cup on the last day for
entries. A pilot flying a DG400 flew well past sunset (meaning it
was pitch black with no moon), and he was thermaling well below
glide for any known safe landing place. Afterward this pilot
openly admitted that he would not have flown into the dark,
if he had not had the motor to depend on. So did the fact he
was flying a motor glider give him an advantage? Of course it
did, and that advantage on that flight got him into the Hilton Cup.

So for those motor glider pilots who say they fly so conservatively
that the motor is always a penalty. Couldn't you also be honest
enough to openly admit that for the less conservative motor glider
pilots it provides a distinct competative advantage.

So if you want to fly head to head in competition with non
motorized gliders. You should either disable or remove the motor
and you will be more than welcome.

Soarin (non motorized)