On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 4:31:34 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 6:15:10 PM UTC-4, Al McNamara wrote:
Why have a FES in a GP14 when you could have the retractable electric
self-launcher version - and forego the extra drag and ugliness of the
prop
moustache?

Speed of starting.

Looking forward to someone using FES recover to recover from a premature termination of tow.

Well, I've had my Lak17B FES for almost 4 years and fortunately I have never had a premature termination of tow, but I always have it ready to go during a tow should it be needed. On several occasions I have used it instead of having to land for a relight. It does reliably start within a second or two and there is no mast to extend which definitely saves time. Now, I have seen a video of an auto launch on the FES website where a LAK 17a is able to climb away after dropping the rope at perhaps 200(?) feet, so I do believe it can safely be done as long as there is sufficient altitude. What exactly would be "sufficient" altitude depends on many factors and I am sure could be the subject of a very interesting discussion....Thx - Renny