Future of 15m

On Monday, 4 December 2017 09:44:41 UTC+2, Rhubarb wrote:
I think the GP15 could well start a 15m resurgence

Electric self launcher (with ballast)
near 18m performance at 15m prices
light handling both in the air and on the ground (pity the wings arent 4 piece)

massive research in batteries should help. As long as the batteries (in the wings) dont catch fire or fail to perform because they are cold, this machine looks like a winner

One thing is sure, there is no market for new glider that has no engine, so GP15 and possibly FES-Diana2 are the only contenders in pure 15m class. I guess some pilots will buy 15m tips for their 18m gliders, out of old habit while not using them outside 15m competitions.

There is no advance in aerodynamics that would make latest 15m perform like current 18m gliders, that is just marketing. Wing profiles have developed little lately.