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I would think that mounting a couple of small jets at or just behind
the wing/fuselage junction could also serve to remove some of the low
speed turbulence in that area. Also, if the engine had a tight
cowling around it then perhaps some water could be sprayed or drizzled
onto the outside of the engine and the resulting steam would mix with
the exhaust to provide some additional thrust. SWB Turbines in
Neenah, WI (SWBTurbines.com)has a Mamba turbojet which puts out 11
Lbs. of thrust. It is only 3.5 inches in diameter and would fit
nicely at the wing junction interface. SWB also has 45, 60 and a
100Lb thrust engine.

Perhaps a simple, straight forward way to test the concept is to
remove the engine from a current self-launcher like the PIK 20 E and
replace it with a P200 turbine or similar unit. The mast can already
take the forces, and it wouldn't be necessary actually have it
retractable for the initial tests. A fuel tank is already in the
glider, along with a big battery for starting.

My major concern is the heat of the exhaust, so perhaps the very first
thing to do is measure the air temperature about 12 feet behind one of
these turbines. Maybe it's OK; maybe you find out full power can't be
used on the ground, but enough power to taxi can be used; maybe it's
just too hot, even when mixing with air at 50 knots in climb.

If it worked out, making it retractable would be easy.

I still think someone with a metal vee-tail glider ought to jump on
this idea, and just mount the engine on a short pylon.

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Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)