Is this glide angle calculated with the motor out, prop windmilling but the engine failed to start (ie a giant spoiler, coming down like a lead weight), or as a pure glider? Is there a different calculation for gliders with jet engines? Would make a hell of a difference to the implied motor glider bonus in the real world.



On Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:27:03 PM UTC-7, MNLou wrote:
Although I enjoyed the discussion in my previous thread on drag and handicaps, I was trying to create a discussion about the benefit of having a reliable propulsion system versus a pure glider.



For this discussion, please assume that someone created an FES system that had no drag and no additional weight. Thus, an FES equipped ship and an non-FES equipped ship had identical polars. Also assume that the FES system was 100% reliable.



Do you think the FES ship would have a competitive advantage over a pure glider because of the ability to stretch the "safe flight" envelope?



Lou