Lak17c-FES│Impressive Self-launching Sailplane!

During a weekend event at Postojna airfield, Slovenia, I had a unique opportunity to see the new Lak17c-FES in action. 33KW of pure FES power allow this beautiful sailplane to climb at 2,5m/s on take-off which is beyond impressive! Luka Žnidaršič, CEO of LZ Design, an inventor of FES, demonstrated a few take-offs and some low-passes for our viewing pleasure. Here is a short edit. Enjoy! :) │ ©2020 FESR Luka Hojnik Photography │ More information on FES @ www.lzdesign.si and LAK @ lak.lt

[@pilotmiami1]

Bravo.thenks

[@chrishamilton4999]

OT ... what happened to the Lak 19? Is it not being made any more?

[@gliderpilotstories]

Beautiful

[@flyeatsleeprepeat]

Thank you! 🙏

[@avigator]

1:00 That moment when the tail bounces during takeoff. How does the pilot make sure not to ditch the prop?

[@flyeatsleeprepeat]

There is sufficient clearance from the ground, so it doesn’t have any impact in case of a slightly bumpy terrain.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

It happens a lot with these FES self launch ships. One of the manufacturer's biggest money makers is FES inspection and prop replacement. One manufacturer had 3 ships lined up. I won't say which but they were FES self launch birds. When the tail boom hits a big bump at low speed is the worst point as there's no elevator authority. Basically they need a pinch more forward main gear position. Or a bigger DG500/1000/1001 style gear.

[@moinhannes]

I fly the predecessor (LAK17b FES mini 13,5 m self launcher, same fuselage). They raised the gear signifincantly so you get enough ground clearance. You dont have so much height clearence but you need a severe angle around the transverse axis to get a groundstrike! Thus beeing said it is helpful to have slight rear heavy COG to help "stabilise" in low speeds when your elevator does not have the controlauthority needed and pull the stick according to the flight manual.

[@miksal26]

I was about to ask the same question.

[@franckalberto4078]

a self lauch permet il le remorquage ? et le depart au treuil ?

[@flyeatsleeprepeat]

sure, both launch methods are possible

[@hobbycaptain8792]

What are the tubes hanging off of the the vertical stabilizer? Are they pitot tubes? If so it seems like an odd place it looks really fragile.

[@pointerdogman2814]

Canard reduce air drag.

[@hobbycaptain8792]

@@pointerdogman2814: There is no canard on this airplane. If you pause at 0:31 and look at the tail there is a bent tube or rod sticking out.

[@chrishamilton4999]

my suspicion is that it keeps the asi probe out of the prop wash ... but that is a guess only.

[@WhiksyKilo]

Total energy variometers indicate rate of climb/sink compensated for changes in airspeed to remove, as far as possible, signals derived from the aircraft gaining or losing airspeed (stick lift). The probe(s) are multifunction devices combining pitot, static and negative pitot (low pressure directly proportional to airspeed). The reason they are combined in one device is to have the length of tubing connecting the signals have the same volume.

[@spinning_cirrus]

Thats a Braunschweig tube, for compensating the variometer

[@pauln1557]

Awesome! I guess the next stage of development will be to have solar panels built into the upper surfaces to enable battery recharge in flight.

[@chrishamilton4999]

@Liam Lance I am far too old to bother about girlfriends, but would that not be a breach of trust ... verging on abuse?

[@soaruk3697]

I take it that is the climb rate dry - no waterballast?

[@Lumakaja]

Dry yes!

[@vdzzedit8249]

How much

[@leonardobosnar7194]

yes

[@lyaeusv3828]

yes

[@WhiksyKilo]

13.5m span LAK17mini is around Є100k, 18m span LAK17C is around Є150k, sailplanes are usually owned by 2, 3 or more people in a syndicate, used sailplanes start at $10k

[@buzzinbritain8222]

@@WhiksyKilo used sailplanes start at $1...........sometimes less :-)

[@JohnStenborg]

...not self-launching when needs pants-off runner assistent...looks like an expensive not benefit anything hobby though...long live the planet...god bless us all...

[@WhiksyKilo]

What use is Mozart's unfinished symphony? Or moonlight reflecting off a calm sea? Until you have shared a thermal with a golden eagle consider keeping your critical fingers off the keyboard. I tow my glider to a beach in a trailer, rig and launch with my wife holding the wingtip, fly all day (longest flight is 10 hours) ridge soaring the cliffs in the on shore breezes or catch thermals and fly hundreds of kilometers using nothing but the power of the sun, sharing the experience of the beauty of the planet with just a few thousand people across the world... Meanwhile, you carp/moan/whinge/gripe with zero knowledge of that you critique, education is a privilege wasted on most

[@martyryan2529]

WhiskyKilo you couldnt have written that response any better. Stay aloft. Agree 100%.