Answering YOUR Questions about the AS33 Me

[@alexanderschleicher1681]

Wow, that gliders sounds amazing! Maybe we should get one ;)

[@TijsVsN]

Might be a good investment!

[@AndrewBashtovoy]

@alexanderschleicher1681 Can the engine be used when it is raining?

[@WilhelmvonFahrvergnugen]

@@AndrewBashtovoy only indoors...

[@BrianMoore-uk6js]

@@TijsVsN A glider is NEVER a good investment!

[@SteFly]

I think you should avoid it.

[@r.p.3192]

Nicely done Stefan. Answering questions whilst flying your glider means a. You are a top-notch pilot b. Your glider is very stable and forgiving c. Both of them… I’d go for answer c. The Euro 350‘000.- are well spent. There’s people out there spending millions on expensive toys and not sharing their adventure with the enthusiasts community… Holm und Rippenbruch mein Freund 🎉

[@SteFly]

Thank you very much!

[@kevinleazenby6704]

Great work with an Excellent glider! Thank you for sharing and “enjoy the fruit of your labor” !! Looking forward to your US visit and competition posts 😊

[@SteFly]

Thank you very much!

[@MarcoNierop]

Great video Stefan! I totally understand your choice for the AS33 Me, wingloading is everything in Texas with these super conditions! But for me personally I would probably choose the Ventus 3E... The removable batteries is a big advantage in my situation, and the handling and performance in weaker conditions, like we have all the time here in The Netherlands I also see as a big plus... I fly competition in clubclass now and then with my Mini Nimbus, the Ventus would replace that awesome old lady! Outlandings in soft paddocks and finding people to standby is getting a bit cumbersome and as a Tesla driver I refuse to buy a glider with a gas engine. Btw, I also have a look at the HPH Shark with a RES, same engine as the ventus (also developped in colaboration with SOLO), a slightly older design, but may fit my needs better, I have the impression it is a bit more comfortable with a bigger cockpit. But we will see how it all unfolds, I still have a few years to decide.

[@SteFly]

Ventus 3E is also a great concept. Looking forward to flying together with Simon Schröder in a Ventus 3E at WGC. My personal experience was that the Venus 3M didn´t climb better than the AS33Me, even if I had slightly more weight and less wing area. But this was only my personal experience from two flights...

[@MarcoNierop]

@@SteFly I will follow the WGC closely! See how the different ships will do!

[@MarcoNierop]

@@SteFly I expect on weaker days the Ventus 3 may outperform, but on strong days the AS33 will do best, maybe the JS3 as well... It is all about when the motor is retracted! Choosing the rtight wing loading for the day will be paramount! Because you cant remove the battery, on weak days the Ventus 3E may be better because it can do an aerotow, with just one battery pack.. I don't know if this is allowed.. I think you have to make a choice and fix the configuration for the entire competition, right? in that respect, your choice is easy as you cannot remove the batteries 🙂 But if there are weaker days expected, the Ventus may have an advantage and just have one battery installed and declare it as a glider with a bringing home turbo and do aerotows the whole competition. The JS3 also has this posibility. Will be very interesting to see which choices are made by the pilots! For you I hope for mind blowing conditions the whole two weeks!

[@buzzinadventures4217]

@@MarcoNierop Any Ventus 3E's flying at Uvalde? - I think not.......... personally I'd like to see an ASG29 win just to prove you don't have to spend twice as much to fly the latest. 29's are still winning nationals and SGP's......

[@MarcoNierop]

@@buzzinadventures4217 Nobody denies the ASG29 gliders are awesome, but at such high level competition soaring, the details matter. Much effort has been put into the handling of the aircraft and performance in poor conditions with these new ships. Just check SoaringSpot for the participating pilots and aircraft.. Actually the JS3 is dominating (18 each) in the 18 meter class, then the AS33 (5 each) and then the Ventus 3 (3 each), and only 1 ASG29 and one JS5(18m). and a couple unknown (default). Oh wait, Stefan already confirmed Simon Schroeder will fly the Ventus 3E at the WGC, his entry stands at 'default' so it was not sure yet. But this makes it 4 Ventus 3's at the WGC in Uvalde Then I think the Polish 'default' could be the Diana 4. It will be interesting to see how all these new aircraft will perform at the WGC, I will follow closely!

[@caseydbani1419]

What a nice video! You seem to be "one" with your glider, as you can explain very relaxed during flying. I enjoyed it too!

[@SteFly]

Thank you! 👍🏼

[@AndrewBashtovoy]

Vielen Dank für die Details über ein so tolles Segelflugzeug und seine Aufladung.

[@SteFly]

Sehr gerne!

[@MatematicaTel]

Stefan, would be possible to charge batteries using solar panels atop the trailer? Maybe a sunny week could recharge it for free...? (I hope this question is not so stupid, hehehe). Thanks for the ride, wish you very good flights!

[@SteFly]

Yes, that’s what I want to do. Charge a backup battery during day in the trailer and charge the glider at night. A normale Summer day should produce enough power for a normal start.

[@rheinbit]

The most hated question for people who put their heart and soul into something is: How much is the fish? The answer is: Your time. Compliments to Stefan: I couldn't handle such questions as calmly as you do. Because for some people, the cost is really important. I sometimes forget that. If you want to fly, a K8 (6000 incl. a good trailer) might be enough. K6 requires more wood maintenance etc...

[@PristovAnze]

I don't know why everybody is obsessed with the price of the glider? It is a masterpiece of engineering, and in the right hands it is priceless. Can't wait to follow worlds in the US. I know who my favorite is :)

[@SteFly]

Thank you so much :) Compared to cars with this price tag, they are still produced on a big production line. Gliders are mainly handmade.

[@buzzinadventures4217]

Easy to say if you have 300-350000 euros on hand.............. p.s. ASG29's are still trouncing 33's in many Nationals - but because the pilots have paid so much they have to bullshit and convince themselves they have bought a 'better glider'

[@tomxaak]

Not sure about others, I’d research the costs to understand if there is at least remote possibility to get into this sport for me. Although I understand that one doesn’t have to own the glider to practice the sport, there is option to join a club and co-finance.

[@Johan-ex5yj]

Great info, thanks Stefan! 😊👍

[@surajchoudhary9329]

Which self launcer glider is best for beginners 🤔🤔

[@mirstation]

Hi Stefan. How long do you need to charge the batteries? ... 1) you land with 60% battery used, and you have 40%...how long do you need to back to full charge? 2) How long to charge from empty to 100% ?

[@SteFly]

Hi! 1) takes about 1 - 1,5 h with 3 kW charging 2) takes 4 hours

[@ralfkruse7565]

The viewers asked some questions that I would have asked too. Thanks for answering. In the planning phase, you explained that it is possible to equip the trailer roof with Solar panels, to charge a power station, which can charge the plane during the night. Did you go for this option?

[@SteFly]

Up to now I didn’t have time to do this. But it’s the plan for this winter!

[@ralfkruse7565]

@@SteFly I hope the pneumatic openers are strong enough to get open with the panels on top. In winter there is nearly no production with panels horizontally mounted. If you open the trailer and direct it to the sun the production is much better. 😊🇫🇷

[@dawn_alex]

What will happen if you do aerobatics in a glider? 🤔😊

[@aadu.thoma44]

Probably would lose all kinetic energy the moment you try to do a trick. But you wouldn't fall to death since its a glider...so it will glide down slowly. But while doing the trick if the wing snaps, you're done. 👍

[@aadu.thoma44]

bro just found a redbull glider video. Seems like you can do acrobatics. 😄

[@SteFly]

The AS33 Me is not certified for aerobatics ;)

[@redblack8414]

There are gliders certified for aerobatics. The AS 33 Me is not. The ASK 21 b is certified for aerobatics.

[@surajchoudhary9329]

How does the price get increasing of tye glider over time 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@tiestu7612]

That's a marvel compared to the ASW 15 for example ,the only problem is the price 20 times the price of an ASW 15 .

[@emotodude]

Way to dodge the how much does it cost question...

[@buzzinadventures4217]

Dishonesty in my book...........

[@Triple_J.1]

A new carbon fiber sailplane having lithium-battery electric self launching motor is probably going to be in the range of 300k.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

Why does the JS3 not have storage in the cockpit?

[@SteFly]

The fuselage is packed full of batteries, speed controller and motor.

[@fritz4345]

You can't get a Porsche GT 3 for list price. So did you pay 300.000 or 500.000 Euros?

[@Hallolol97]

Would be my question as well. I clicked through the gt3 rs Config in Germany and (with tax) it reaches about 400.000

[@fritz4345]

@@Hallolol97 In the US you can't just order a GT3 at a dealership. You have to had bought already a bunch of Porsches with them and you need to buy 2 or 3 Taycan as well, because they don't sell. There are plenty of youtube videos about it. Used 2024 models go for $ 475000.

[@peanuts2105]

​@fritz4345 you are so right. Another reason not to buy a VW Beetle

[@martls6]

If I did the calculations right it would be 305,000 euro complete but without trailer.

[@fingerhorn4]

The absence of tail steering is just ridiculous given the enormous price of this glider. What WERE they thinking? Nuts.

[@SteFly]

There is no 18m competition glider available with retractable tailwheel which is steerable. Only the JS2/5 and AS35 will have this combination

[@MarcoNierop]

@@fingerhorn4 yes it's one or the other, a buddy of mine had a DG800 with a steerable tailwheel, but wasn't retractable. Because he flew often alone from Korbach he really needed a steerable tailwheel, so he could taxi to the runway... Retractable tailwheels are not so common yet, it's only on the last generation of gliders. To be honest, I think it is a bit silly, the flow all the way to the tail of the glider is already a thick turbulent layer where the retractable tailwheel just has a marginal effect on the drag.

[@buzzinadventures4217]

@@MarcoNierop NO the Slingsby Vega had a retractable tailwheel in 1978 as standard -there have been other one off 's like 20'''s and 22's with retractable tailwheels. Generally Schleicher's are behind the ball curve and very conservative with their engineering. Absolutely stupid the ASH26 and 31 did not come with a better steerable tailwheel that the crap draggy one they expect you to use....... after all the 33me is just the same principle as an early 2000's Antares in its propulsion method and layout - and that does have a steerable tailwheel.

[@Lukas-qk6ll]

@@SteFly the ASG-32Mi is also available with a retractable tail wheel and it looks very similar to the one of the AS33. Altho the turn radius is a bit big so if i need to backtrack and do a 180 turn, i pull the wheel brake and power up until the tail is in the air and then use the rudder to turn on the spot, this may also work in the AS33

[@avigator]

11:10 Polestar or Impo(l)ster? 🤔

[@LSVFlachkurbler]

what about the minimum wing loading ? Can you fly it at Grand Prix with both batteries ?

[@SteFly]

The 33 Me is heavy with 430 kg empty weight. I can´t get below a wing loading of 51 kg/sqm, that's why I´m not able to fly SGP with the current rules and wing batteries installed. In my opinion (and many others agree that) the wing loading limit at SGP is not a fair way to even out the performance differences of gliders and it´s especially not the perfect solution to improve safety. A Ventus 2c with 528 kg or a 567 kg heavy DG-808 with an older profile is much more critical in the mountains than a 480 kg AS33.

[@LSVFlachkurbler]

@@SteFly yes, there is definitely some good points you are making here. Ventus3 is also much safer than my older Ventus 2CX in mountain flying with same wing loading. I will be looking forward to see you and Simon fly together. Since I have flown a lot together with an AS33, also in Mountain, my personal opinion is that in really strong conditions the AS33 is better, if it comes to marginal and difficult condition in the mountains, the Ventus3 cleary outclimbs the AS33. My expectation is that Simon will have a hard time keeping up with your AS33 in Uvalde, but we will see.

[@robertosoest3846]

What a nice sailplane and nice video .🎉

[@SteFly]

Thank you very much!

[@DanFrederiksen]

Can you get wings with less lift for high speed flight? maybe 300km/h 20:1 glide

[@Triple_J.1]

Yes. See Risen aircraft.

[@DanFrederiksen]

@@Triple_J.1 it does it with a motor, that's different. I assume it can't do 20:1 at 300km/h glide

[@hangfly1]

Stefan. Will you attend the entire show at Oshkosh, or just part of it?

[@SteFly]

I will be there until Saturday morning, so nearly the complete show.

[@hangfly1]

Thanks for the reply, Stefan. Are you representing your company?

[@SteFly]

@@hangfly1 No, I‘m just here as a visitor. But if you have questions, we can meet somewhere.

[@hangfly1]

Thanks Stefan! I'm with the Colorado Division of Aeronautics and am an active glider pilot. Can we meet in Hangar C Booth #3047?

[@christophostrowski3382]

Extrem Leise in der Kanzel, also zumindest bei der Aufnahme. Ist es auch im RL auch so, oder kommt das nur in der Aufnahme so rüber? Wenn jetzt noch Solarzellen in den Flügeln wären, könnte man ja etwas an Gewicht bei dem Akku sparen?!...und länger fliegen...

[@SteFly]

@@christophostrowski3382 Mittlerweile ist es sehr leise in der 33, nachdem ich das kleine Klappfenster komplett abgeklebt habe 😅 Der Ton ist aber auch für Sprache optimiert, wodurch es evtl. noch leiser rüberkommt.

[@christophostrowski3382]

@@SteFly 🤣

[@AndrewBashtovoy]

Die Trennung von Stimme und Geräuschen bei der Aufnahme ist eine Funktion des iPhones. @christophostrowski3382 Es ist auch möglich, die Batterien durch die Rotation des Propellers im Autorotationsmodus aufzuladen, wie es bei Windkraftanlagen der Fall ist.

[@christophostrowski3382]

@@AndrewBashtovoy bräuchte man ja nur eine Umpolung vornehmen.. hätte aber auch nen heftigen Wiederstand und bremst sicher heftig

[@AndrewBashtovoy]

@@christophostrowski3382 Ein bekannter Segelflugzeughersteller antwortete, dass die Ingenieure noch nicht über einen solchen Lademodus nachgedacht haben. Das Pitching-Moment während der Autorotation ist wirklich stark, so dass das Höhenruder so weit wie möglich nach vorne geschoben werden sollte, um den Horizontalflug zu erhalten.

[@jurepecar9092]

How very similar decision process compared to our F5J plane selection :)

[@erichetherington9899]

When u come here 2 the states if possible, check out Owl Canyon Glider port. You might be well pleased. Make for a good vider maybe? 🙂

[@Triple_J.1]

Owl Canyon isn't much of a place anymore. Not since the founder has long passed. Boulder is a better launch site for Mountain Wave and has a far more active club.

[@LWJCarroll]

?? So how much in Euro’s ?

[@blubb9004]

~350k

[@erichetherington9899]

nice! gliders are so cool! thank you likes here

[@Abdullah_Al_Saud]

It's not a military aircraft, but why you/he still blurred it?

[@emilian14]

4:22 einfach meine Frage😮

[@blueyedjackel]

15:38 - 16:11 In the JS3 RES couldnt you just remove one of the two motor batteries to fly the 60kg/m2 wing loading. Apparently you can launch just fine on one battery according to Jonker engineers Reference: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKe5eJ6IiryjgMksi=vfpQxe3jMUMlCXQ-&t=224

[@SteFly]

I don’t think you are allowed to make a self-launch with one battery

[@happysnowman3223]

@@SteFly oh do you mean they wont let you do that in competitions?

[@soaruk3697]

@@happysnowman3223 You can only self launch at 575KG in the JS3RES (adequate for most European competitions) - 600kg with one battery and use as a sustainer. But I have never seen a comp without towplanes these days - buying a 300000 plus euro motorglider to save 60 euro launch costs? Ehhm

[@turbavykas]

@@soaruk3697 It can be an advantage for self launch? You are not covered in dirt and grass during ground towing. You just can launch when the grid is over and when you want. You don't have to wait for tow plane

[@luijtenfilms]

Ist dein Flieger zurück aus USA?

[@SteFly]

Nein, der kommt gerade erst an. Das Video hatte ich aber schon vor ein paar Wochen aufgenommen, erst später geschnitten und veröffentlicht ;)

[@JerryGryz]

2024 Porsche GT3 RS. $500K

[@karoksta]

Please answer my comment quick is possible. What is max speed and high? And can you go on one charge from middle Netherlands to middle of Poland ?❤

[@go2cloudbase]

Answers to both are in the video.

[@jme104]

Only question ; can I afford it ? Answer is no , so I will keep enjoying my club class glider .

[@soaruk3697]

Uvalde has weak days as well........... plus there are many more Championships that will not be in as strong conditions............ the AS33ME is 'too heavy' for comps......... 415-420 kg empty, it is a real 'lard bucket' - ok for flying records in wave maybe, but that's about it, and lacks the adaptability of the Solo powered electric gliders...... The D4 could possibly be the best of the lot............. and one of the cheapest....... it has fixed in wing batteries also and is slated to self launch at 600kg. Will be interesting to see if it meets it empty target weight which is stated to be 60kg lighter than the 33.......

[@go2cloudbase]

D4?

[@soaruk3697]

@@go2cloudbase Diana 4

[@timbaeyens4986]

@@go2cloudbase Diana 4

[@N3cromancer2006]

@@go2cloudbase Diana 4

[@oshadilakshini2878]

Great video 👌you're the best❤️best motivation & great explanation 👍you're the world best champion 🏆world best inventor 🏆fly more 🛩️make more videos🎬waiting for your next best videos🥰 your joy make us happy 🥰keep it safe🥰fly safe 🛩️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@alexanderf.9429]

Second one ;-)

[@Winwin-ds7cc]

The first person😊