Hi Gang
I have had a DG800B and a Stemme S10VT for many years and currently
have a Phoenix so I have some experience with self launchers. I almost
purchased an Antares a couple of years ago but discovered a gotcha
that for me was a show stopper. And that gotcha? Lithium batteries
cannot exceed fairly modest temperatures before they have to be
shutdown meaning if I left an Antares in the hot midday sun in Nevada
for a couple of hours I might not even be able to reach 1,000 feet
before the electric system would automatically shut down. This might
be OK in cooler climates but not at Minden.
The vibration problems of the DG require almost constant monitoring
of the engine and its supports for wear and tear. The Wankel engine of
the 26 is apparently much less prone to vibration problems. Anything
using the Rotax engine is reliable. The Stemme had maintenance
problems but the Rotax 914 engine was reliable.
So if you want the highest performance single place self launcher I
would recommend the Ventus or the 26. For a 2 place self launcher the
Stemme is hard to beat with its much better ground handling compared
to a 25 although the performance of the 25 is a little better.
For a little old guy like me who has completed all the 6 hour XC
flights he ever wants to do in the DG800B and the Stemme you might
want to consider a touring motorgllider and there is one that clearly
stands above the rest and that is the Phoenix. It is the first that
allows the outer wing panels to be removed in less than a minute
reducing the wing span from 15 meters to 11 meters thereby allowing
the Phoenix to be parked in a regular hanger. In the short wing
configuration it is a superb LSA power plane and in the long wing
configuration it is a medium performance motorglider. It is registered
as a LSA glider even though in the short wing configuration it is
clearly a standard LSA power plane. The FAA had never considered this
a possibility and a registered aircraft cannot have 2 certifications.
That suits me.
Dave