On May 18, 10:10*am, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On May 17, 11:00*pm, James C. Simmons

wrote:
Are there any US clubs that are using two place motor gliders for basic
instruction?

Doubtful, but would like to hear differently. *Last time I checked it
first glider solos in self-launching gliders weren't insurable in the
US market.

A couple of clubs appear to have added LSA to their stables though.

Frank Whiteley

I didn't read into the original post any idea of soloing in the
motorglider. I know that there are glider purists out there who think
that anything learned in a powered aircraft has no application to
gliding, and to them I say "BAH!"

It sure seems to me that something that can take off under its own
power would certainly speed the time to first solo, and decrease the
dollars to get there. But it doesn't have to be a motorglider. I
thought through my experience, and decided that while I like the C-150
for teaching, the best vehicle for starting out a glider pilot is a 65
hp Champ. It has a stick. It exhibits _serious_ adverse yaw, just
like a glider. It stalls power-off and recovers just like a glider,
it spins nicely, and with a little instructor help with the throttle,
it can be made to simulate many glider types pretty well. There's no
need for the student to worry about handling a taildragger on the
ground, but with the proper throttle setting, the approach and pattern
of a glider can easily be simulated. The throttle is on the cockpit
left side wall just like a glider. Just pretend that throttle is the
spoilers. A little high, close the throttle (pull it back, just like
spoilers). Still too high, slip it. The glider touchdown usually
taught is just like a wheel landing in the Champ. Keep your speed no
matter what, just like a glider. Have the student use the glider
checklist, and let the instructor worry about the differences in his
own checklist.

I'd think that anyone with reasonable aptitude could solo a glider in
a week, which would include about 6 hours of Champ time learning how
airplanes work (a glider is just an airplane with the engine turned
off or power reduced), followed by probably about 10 flights in the
target glider. It takes at least 3 flights to get the hang of
towing. Simulated rope breaks can be introduced quite nicely in a
Champ, just have the instructor reduce the power to the setting that
gives the performance of the target glider, then a couple in the
glider to polish technique. I've always wondered why it wasn't done
this way. It sure has worked out fine for me, although I had a bit
more than 5 Champ hours when I learned.

Ed
(smiling ear to ear because he completed the final leg of his Gold
Badge yesterday!)