Which 18m FES sailplane to buy?

El lunes, 26 de noviembre de 2018, 14:55:16 (UTC-3), Bob Kuykendall escribió:
On Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 2:36:06 PM UTC-8, Ben Hirashima wrote:
I'm considering the purchase of an 18m FES equipped sailplane...

You could always just build one.

And install a grasshopper!

Hi Ben: I recently returned from Lithuania where I flew a modified LAK17B FES 18 meter that had been fitted with an upgraded FES battery system that allowed for self-launch. I also flew the MiniLAK FES, a self-launched 13.5 meter. Both gliders are flapped, and from 17 years experience with flapped and unflapped gliders, I would never buy an unflapped glider.

The LAK 17B FES launched easily from a relatively short paved strip, and was a joy to fly. My understanding from Vytas Maciulius, the Director of the LAK factory, is that LAK is working on a self-launching LAK17C FES. I don't know how soon it will be available, but I do know that FES battery packs with an extra 4 cells are now available, because Vytas gave me the option of adding one to the MiniLAK FES that I made a down payment on. Perhaps that might also be an option on the purchase of new LAK 17B. I don't know that for sure, but you certainly could find out. It would then become a self-launcher.
I've made only three flights in LAK gliders, so I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but I was impressed enough with the gliders to purchase one. I thought the engineering of cockpit controls was exceptional (I'm comparing to my current LS-6), and my tour of the LAK factory convinced me that that a very high quality of craftsmanship prevails.
I've written an article on the trip and my experiences for an upcoming issue of Soaring, and I'd be happy to answer any questions that you might think to ask.
Matt Herron

Thanks, Matt. What is the current delivery date?

Matt,
I am currently flying a 17B FES and and have a Mini Lak FESL on order. I would really appreciate a conversation about your trip to the factory and your thoughts on both the Mini and the 17C. Here's my email address: . Thanks,

Steve Bair

Matt,

Thank you so much for sharing your most positive experience with Lak. I am in a full agreement with the previous poster, in that I would love to hear more about your recent visit to their production facilities. As I told our Lak sales representative up here in Canada, it’s unfortunate Lak doesn’t organize a North American tour with there lineup of toys. I have several questions and concerns over their products, starting with fit and comfort in a Mini with my 6 foot frame, to support for batteries here in North America.

John Hebert
Montreal, Canada

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 7:14:48 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Matt,

Thank you so much for sharing your most positive experience with Lak. I am in a full agreement with the previous poster, in that I would love to hear more about your recent visit to their production facilities. As I told our Lak sales representative up here in Canada, it’s unfortunate Lak doesn’t organize a North American tour with there lineup of toys. I have several questions and concerns over their products, starting with fit and comfort in a Mini with my 6 foot frame, to support for batteries here in North America.

John Hebert
Montreal, Canada

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 7:14:48 AM UTC-8, wrote:
Matt,

Thank you so much for sharing your most positive experience with Lak. I am in a full agreement with the previous poster, in that I would love to hear more about your recent visit to their production facilities. As I told our Lak sales representative up here in Canada, it’s unfortunate Lak doesn’t organize a North American tour with there lineup of toys. I have several questions and concerns over their products, starting with fit and comfort in a Mini with my 6 foot frame, to support for batteries here in North America.

John Hebert
Montreal, Canada

Hi John:
I'm 5'7", so I can't help you on fit. But I found both the LAK17 and the Mini completely comfortable, and I think there was extra room beyond my personal dimensions. The 17 and the Mini essentially have the same fuselage, so if you've ever sat in a 17, you would probably find the Mini about the same fit.

As for batteries, I assume one could get support through US/Canadian distributor, but my guess is that any serious repairs would have to come from LZ in Slovenia.

As you probably know, LZ recalled all FES batteries for inspection and upgrade following the two battery fires. Here's what I wrote about that issue for Soaring:

In accordance with a Modification Bulletin
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), the LAK factory has reinforced the
battery pack housing with flame retardant
fiberglass, installed an independent fire
warning system, and added a safety valve smoke
vent to the battery compartment cover.

The FES system has been with us for about
eight years now. During this time some 180
gliders have been fitted with the engine,
either as self-launch or sustainer. /There
have been no reported engine failures in
flight./ However, there have been two fires
involving the lithium polymer battery packs at
the heart of the FES system. One happened
during a landing in the UK and was
extinguished after the pilot exited the glider
safely. The pilot reported that one of the
battery packs had previously been dropped,
which could have damaged one or more of the
lithium cells. The other fire occurred in a
trailer where the batteries had been stored
with the units still connected, a big “no no“
according to FES maintenance manuals. While
the exact cause of the fires has not been
determined, any fire involving lithium
batteries can be extremely serious – these
units pack a lot of energy and must be handled
with respect.


In response to the fires, LZ Design, the
Slovenian manufacturer of the FES system, has
recalled all the battery packs for disassembly
and inspection. LZ is checking for the
suspected presence of small metal shards, a
possible by-product of machine work on the
battery case cover. Since the individual
lithium cells are housed in plastic bags
rather than hard cases, if a shard were
present it would be possible for it to migrate
during battery usage and penetrate a lithium
cell, potentially causing a short and a
resulting fire. After each inspection is
complete, LZ re-installs all the lithium cells
in a solid matrix of silicon gel, which should
correct the problem.

Regards,

Matt Herron

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 2:26:46 PM UTC-5, Matt Herron (Sr) wrote:
Hi John:
I'm 5'7", so I can't help you on fit. But I found both the LAK17 and the Mini completely comfortable, and I think there was extra room beyond my personal dimensions. The 17 and the Mini essentially have the same fuselage, so if you've ever sat in a 17, you would probably find the Mini about the same fit.

As for batteries, I assume one could get support through US/Canadian distributor, but my guess is that any serious repairs would have to come from LZ in Slovenia.

As you probably know, LZ recalled all FES batteries for inspection and upgrade following the two battery fires. Here's what I wrote about that issue for Soaring:

In accordance with a Modification Bulletin
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), the LAK factory has reinforced the
battery pack housing with flame retardant
fiberglass, installed an independent fire
warning system, and added a safety valve smoke
vent to the battery compartment cover.

The FES system has been with us for about
eight years now. During this time some 180
gliders have been fitted with the engine,
either as self-launch or sustainer. /There
have been no reported engine failures in
flight./ However, there have been two fires
involving the lithium polymer battery packs at
the heart of the FES system. One happened
during a landing in the UK and was
extinguished after the pilot exited the glider
safely. The pilot reported that one of the
battery packs had previously been dropped,
which could have damaged one or more of the
lithium cells. The other fire occurred in a
trailer where the batteries had been stored
with the units still connected, a big “no no“
according to FES maintenance manuals. While
the exact cause of the fires has not been
determined, any fire involving lithium
batteries can be extremely serious – these
units pack a lot of energy and must be handled
with respect.


In response to the fires, LZ Design, the
Slovenian manufacturer of the FES system, has
recalled all the battery packs for disassembly
and inspection. LZ is checking for the
suspected presence of small metal shards, a
possible by-product of machine work on the
battery case cover. Since the individual
lithium cells are housed in plastic bags
rather than hard cases, if a shard were
present it would be possible for it to migrate
during battery usage and penetrate a lithium
cell, potentially causing a short and a
resulting fire. After each inspection is
complete, LZ re-installs all the lithium cells
in a solid matrix of silicon gel, which should
correct the problem.

Regards,

Matt Herron

3 fires. One in the US
UH

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 12:22:06 PM UTC-8, wrote:
On Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 2:26:46 PM UTC-5, Matt Herron (Sr) wrote:
Hi John:
I'm 5'7", so I can't help you on fit. But I found both the LAK17 and the Mini completely comfortable, and I think there was extra room beyond my personal dimensions. The 17 and the Mini essentially have the same fuselage, so if you've ever sat in a 17, you would probably find the Mini about the same fit.

As for batteries, I assume one could get support through US/Canadian distributor, but my guess is that any serious repairs would have to come from LZ in Slovenia.

As you probably know, LZ recalled all FES batteries for inspection and upgrade following the two battery fires. Here's what I wrote about that issue for Soaring:

In accordance with a Modification Bulletin
issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA), the LAK factory has reinforced the
battery pack housing with flame retardant
fiberglass, installed an independent fire
warning system, and added a safety valve smoke
vent to the battery compartment cover.

The FES system has been with us for about
eight years now. During this time some 180
gliders have been fitted with the engine,
either as self-launch or sustainer. /There
have been no reported engine failures in
flight./ However, there have been two fires
involving the lithium polymer battery packs at
the heart of the FES system. One happened
during a landing in the UK and was
extinguished after the pilot exited the glider
safely. The pilot reported that one of the
battery packs had previously been dropped,
which could have damaged one or more of the
lithium cells. The other fire occurred in a
trailer where the batteries had been stored
with the units still connected, a big “no no“
according to FES maintenance manuals. While
the exact cause of the fires has not been
determined, any fire involving lithium
batteries can be extremely serious – these
units pack a lot of energy and must be handled
with respect.


In response to the fires, LZ Design, the
Slovenian manufacturer of the FES system, has
recalled all the battery packs for disassembly
and inspection. LZ is checking for the
suspected presence of small metal shards, a
possible by-product of machine work on the
battery case cover. Since the individual
lithium cells are housed in plastic bags
rather than hard cases, if a shard were
present it would be possible for it to migrate
during battery usage and penetrate a lithium
cell, potentially causing a short and a
resulting fire. After each inspection is
complete, LZ re-installs all the lithium cells
in a solid matrix of silicon gel, which should
correct the problem.

Regards,

Matt Herron

3 fires. One in the US
UH

I went to the FES presentation in Reno this year. I was unimpressed in the resolution of the fires that have occurred (I am an electrical engineer), especially in not acknowledging the third fire. My advice is to wait until the root cause of these fires has been conclusively identified. Having a parachute (as one friend of mine opined) is not an adequate backup plan.

Tom