The Freedom and Independence of Self Launching Sailplanes

When the tow plane is broken: extend the engine and take off!

[@jannicawunge3067]

I have owned a Ventus cM for more than 20 years and I can tell all of you that it is a fantastic glider. The reason why I have not ugraded to a newer glider is beacuse it is hard to find anything that can compare in terms of value for money. If I could also retrofit it with an electric conversion some day it would be perfect.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

Yes Sir! That's why I went with this particular aircraft. For the money, performance, and flexibility of use (single or dual seat for example) was what got me. I do wish it was an 18m electric single seater, but maybe one day in the future that'll happen also. Hank Nixon is currently working on an electric conversion for Solo 2625 aircraft. Hang tight! It will be a game changer.

[@wackaircaftmechanic2312]

I have a club member who self launches often with his DG-808. He used to fly my sailplane when it was technically a club glider a few years ago. I see why one would want to have a self launcher. Faster than waiting.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

And easier on the back! No pushing it all the way out to the line or tow carts. Comes in handy. Or sunset flights when everyone has gone home... All big positives.

[@jacekpiterow900]

This is a miserable experience in taxi mode...

[@TheSoaringChannel]

🤣 not pleasant, but certainly better than pushing it out to the line haha!

[@jacekpiterow900]

@@TheSoaringChannel Amen.

[@craigduncan4826]

I’d love to have a self launching glider - especially one of the FES electric ones but they are like at minimum £150K. Hopefully they will come down in price since to me there really isn’t all that much to them- they can’t cost that much to build. I was honestly shocked - I figured you could probably get a used one for maybe £30K but boy was I way wrong 😔 Hopefully they come down in price some day, looks like a great hobby and once you own the thing then your cost overhead is essentially zero and you can fly all you want.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

Hey Craig! I'm about to do a video titled something like "The *Reality* of Self Launching Sailplanes" 😂 check some of my videos and you'll find one where $5500 was spent in one 0:06 flight 😩 lol you can message me on Facebook messenger or Instagram if you'd like a reality check of the world that actually exists for SLS owners/beneficiaries.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

The DG505MB was about what you are seeing for FES sustainers - I'd still prefer a self launcher over an FES. The JS3 RES really has my eye, but that will require a partner to afford. 💀

[@craigduncan4826]

@@TheSoaringChannel yeah sorry that’s what I meant - a self launcher. I just saw videos of those electric FES type ones that can also self launch then you can switch the electric props up front on again several times to keep extending your range, the wind flow just flops the props in to lie against the sides. It seems to me identical to the extender one but perhaps just more powerful so it can self launch but yeah maybe some day. If they come down in price enough I wouldn’t mind building a kit myself to make it affordable but definitely not be any time soon since they are WAY out my price range lol

[@TheSoaringChannel]

@Craig Duncan this is why clubs exist! 😂 Try looking one up! I knew what you meant actually. FES self launchers are still not there yet either. You should see the glider repair shops. Full of FES gliders that hit their prop on launch. The RES has its drawbacks, but the big advantage is the impossibility to have a prop strike. It's even somewhat difficult to walk into the prop danger zone because of the wings. With an FES - it's a matter of time before someone gets chopped to death working on one or troubleshooting one. They will automatically shut down on overheats. And then they turn back on again after cooling off. 💀 A pilot I know was killed shortly after writing about this experience here in the USA, where it shut down and then started again as he was turning back to land from the shut down - it turned on again after cooling! 😵‍💫 So be extra careful anywhere around an FES propeller. I consider this hazard worse than airplanes because of the instant power on vs an airplane needing to hit the starter and have the master on. I hope the manufacturers continue to improve the concept. I want one!

[@lautoka63]

You're telling me that I should have a Ventus cM, not a cT, aren't you.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

....Perhaps lol even the sustainer is nice of course. It gives you the flexibility to push further and experience more.