I think the next few years will see some very interesting
motorgliders based on front mounted electric motors (and lighter, more
powerful batteries), plus jet powered self-launching and sustainer
equipped gliders.


For example, Windward Performance is now building at least two jet
powered DuckHawks (aka "JetHawk"). I'm really looking forward to
learning the performance details.


A bit off topic by now, but what the heck...

It strikes me the right answer for sailplanes is a front electric sustainer powered by a very small battery and fuel cell.

Gliders need light weight. Batteries are all sorts of things but they are not light weight.

Is this to appeal to "green?" Listening to the Antares owners recharge their huge batteries by running loud gas powered generators all night makes a mockery of green. Besides which, the fuel for the motorhome dwarfs what we use for gasoline sustainers.

Gas engines are heavy, and complex to start and operate.

Jet engines are cool, light, and start easily (I gather), but inefficient so you have to carry a lot of fuel. The duckhawk is already suspiciously high wingloading. To say nothing of the FAA's attitude towards experimental jets.

The FES starts instantly, has little drag when extended so needs less power, and if powered by a fuel cell would be really light too.

If fuel cells are impractical, why not a small motor recharging the battery? Then you could have a much smaller battery and motor. You're low, press the switch. The battery fires up and gives you instant power. In a few seconds the motor starts too and you use both battery and electricity from motor and generator for a fast 2000' climb. When the battery is out, engine-generator-motor to sustain or climb slowly. When you shut down, the motor keeps running to recharge the battery. If the motor didnt' start you'd have say 1000' of climb and a few minutes of battery to sort things out for your off field landing.

The energy density of gasoline is hard to beat.

John Cochrane
Still motorless