Doug Hoffman wrote:
Eric Greenwell wrote:
I now fly a 50:1 glider, and "land-out" even more often, because I
push harder now. By "land-out", I mean I start the motor to avoid
actually putting the wheel in the dirt. It's great - aggressive
flying, and still home for beer and pizza!

Yes, that would be great. But in 2008 the vast majority of us have to
deal with "real" land outs. Not knocking self-rescuing gliders, but I
am *far* more impressed by someone who flies a long distance on a weak
day in a motorless than someone who flies the same with a motor, all
other things being equal.

I am also more impressed in that situation; however, if the pilots are
similar, the pilot of the powered glider will have flown *farther*,
perhaps much farther, than the other pilot. Now, it's harder for me to
know which impresses the most.

The psychological experience (adrenaline
factor?) for the pilot in the motorless is a whole 'nuther thing
compared to the self-rescuing. Yes, I know that sometimes the motors
fail to start. My contention remains. Especially as motor
technology/reliability improves, which it has/is.

I flew 3000 hours in motorless gliders, and now 2500 in powered gliders,
and for me, the "psychological experience (adrenaline factor?)" is
*better* in the powered glider. Imagine you met a pilot with a Super Cub
and towhook that was looking for any excuse to fly. He offers to
retrieve you from any airport, or even a decent farm field, any day, any
time, and you just buy the gas! Would you tell him to go bother somebody
else because you didn't want to give up your "psychological experience
(adrenaline factor?)"? Think about it - that's what it's like to have
a powered glider.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org