On Sunday, December 27, 2015 at 10:04:19 AM UTC-6, Casey Cox wrote:
Tim,

That motor looks different and the power is also different than FES. Is this motor made by FES or you just calling it that generically? GP web site says "also come with electric self-launch versions" with no mention of FES.

I can understand the lower power motor due to lower weight and maybe design. And the cost should be less than a FES as well. Just curious of the motor and battery manufacturer.

Should be a big competitor for other 13.5 and FES gliders.

Casey:

While "FES" has been, and probably may be, considered for future installations should the market demand it, GP Gliders will not be offered with "FES" the foreseeable future. However, the GP Glider Team's system should prove a very effective system while minimizing drag penalities associated with FES, and acheiving "FES"-like deployment times when compared to many traditional boom deployed systems. The GP 14 is meant to be the ultimate expression of innovation and performance inthe 13.5 meter span, for which an equally innovative and performance-minded self-launch system has been designed.

GP Gliders are offered with Electric Self-Launch/Sustainer capability using its own fuselage and boom deployment system deploying a standard motor (15 kW)/controller produced by JETI of Czech Republic and now offering an upgraded 25 kW motor produced by Rotex of Czech Republic for those wishing for better hot/high and higher wingloading self-launch capability. The batte4ry packs will be produced in-house using Sony components at this time.

The unique motor deployment system as well as the fuselage boom mounting offers many advantages to the "FES" including:
- Less overall drag
- Minimal deployed/unpowered system drag
- Fast deployment to Power On (@6 seconds)
- More Propulsive Efficiency (including Peszke optimized folding propellers)
- Power Off and Immediate Stow (no aligning propeller with boom)
- among other advantages

Tim McAllister
GP Gliders USA