While I am an advocate of the "short span" sailplane, I also realize
that what I truly want is the ability to self launch. Unfortunatley,
in my opinion, the short span gliders do not have adequate wing area
to allow for the additional weight a power plant will add.

Since I am 3-d modeler by trade I have been designing up my "dream"
sailplane that would probably end up with a 15m span, but it would be
built using Apis/Russia/TST-10 technolgy, thus would have a empty
weight around 450 pounds or so.

I believe that 40:1 would be easily achieved, my mission goals would
be a ship that would excel in a climate typical of western Washington,
not looking for a flat out racer, but would rather tailor towards what
I am used to with my Apis 13 while having the ability to self-launch
and retrieve.

What I find encouraging and at the same time deceiving, is that
designing in solids produces very exciting results in a relatively
short time.....but to get from what is on the computer screen to
something you can sit in on the shop floor is another matter entirely!
However that being said.....I do have the ability to create just about
everything required to get the project underway in terms of templates,
parts, etc.......

Cheers,
Brad
N199AK