The ultimate JET POWERED glider

What do you get when you combine one of the world's most precisely engineered glider aircraft with a tiny jet engine?
PURE PERFORMANCE!
#aeroplane #aviation #gliding #gliders #sailplane #learntofly #soaringflying #soaring #pilot #pilotlife #australia #seeaustralia #newsouthwales #murrayriver #js3 #airrace #aviationlovers #aviationphotography

[@aerialbugsmasher]

To everybody freaking out over the turbine exhaust: calm the freak down. I fly full scale jets for work, and RC large scale jets for fun. My largest RC turbine is little over half the size of this one. And standing behind it even relatively close, lets say 3 to 5 meters at full power, the air is much cooler than you'd expect. I'd say maybe 40C-50C at most. At that distance the jet exhaust will have pulled a huge mass of ambient air around it already and it will have mixed and slowed down significantly. So it feels like extremely hot summer day in a desert. The sun alone will warm up the air frame more I'd bet.

[@cantstopflying4137]

And what about when the air flow in not static? You been hanging on back there boss?

[@GlidewithTom]

Great point, thanks for explaining this.

[@Teri_Berk]

In a nutshell: The hot air outlet will diffuse into cold air.

[@cantstopflying4137]

I'd put a nice flush alloy ( or similar ), leading edge on those delicate flight surfaces on your tail. Everything mechanical fails, and those jets, although small externally, carry a lot of energy. Expect a self destruction at some stage, and reinforce the airframe to absorb it. Make yourself an additional emergency checklist, fuel cut offs etc. Engine controls on a seperate buss. Welcome to powered flight.

[@unguidedone]

turbines are very reliable, they are the most reliable internal combustion engines ever built. to have a small jet engine with a form factor that small just gives the glider improved safety margins. you could offset the water ballast with jet fuel.

[@thestruggler3338]

and the startup?

[@GlidewithTom]

The start-up was pretty quick and simple. It only involved about switches and the engine pops out of the fuselage and spools up in about 1 minute.

[@cantstopflying4137]

Not these chinese things. Your thinking of maybe a non hobby engine

[@coriscotupi]

@@cantstopflying4137 This is neither a Chinese thing, nor a hobby engine. It is a man-carrying aircraft certified aero engine, made in Germany by M&D Flugzeugbau Gmbh & Co.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

​@@cantstopflying4137 The common jet engines for RC flight come from the UK and Germany, not China.

[@gusmotorsports]

glider + jet engine != glider

[@GlidewithTom]

A bit from column A, a bit from column B. The best of both types

[@bcubed72]

What's the factorial of jet engine?

[@FAB1150]

​@@bcubed72!= Means "not equal", it's not a factorial:D

[@bcubed72]

@@FAB1150 Always used =/= in every math class I had.

[@FAB1150]

@@bcubed72 the proper "NOT" symbol is ¬, but since people usually don't have it on their keyboards, the exclamation mark is a substitute, especially with programmers that have to type it often. Most programming languages now use "!=" as the "not equal" symbol. For some it's confusing at first, like the distinction between "=" and "==" (the first one meaning "set as equal to", and the latter as a simple "equals").

[@leokimvideo]

I see flames so i'm happy

[@GlidewithTom]

Me too! It looks some badass when it's spitting fire!

[@Don-kr5tp]

How long will the vertical stabilizer last?

[@OLDMANTEA]

Hopefully someone’s looked into that…

[@keepyourairspeedup]

I was thinking the same thing with the heat blowing back like that. Other question is the 2 off the shelf clamps holding the thing on ?

[@ByronScottJones]

Given the distance between the stabilizer and the engine, it's likely only a few degrees increase. Certainly not enough to be a significant concern.

[@GlidewithTom]

Great point, I did wonder that too. But I understand it's been carefully designed to avoid that risk. It is a tiny little engine. I did imagine standing behind it would be like the thrust from a fighter, but I didn't feel any heat when standing near the tail.

[@franzbauer5531]

My question is already answered.

[@gordonmichaels600]

Jet powered glider, talk about an oxymoron

[@admiralbeez8143]

Agreed. Reminds of of those Teslas that tow a Honda gas generator behind.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes it is a bit. But I liked it feels like the best of both worlds. Spend 90% of your time catching air currents and 10% turning money into noise and heat and saving yourself from landing in a paddock.

[@jmcgaz1]

I'll take a jet engine over some dilapidated tow plane any day.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Comment indicates folk think the engine runs all the time. Do people think the same with the piston or electric props that fold up out of the fuselage ? The jet keeps you up for extended gliding, not powers you all of the flight.

[@gordonmichaels600]

@@PiDsPagePrototypes I never said it runs all the time. How about you look up the definition of glider, a 747 can glide but it’s not a glider.

[@gonegliding2966]

Nice video Tom!

[@GlidewithTom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SuLokify]

Idk much about gliders, thanks for the neat video. An oversized quadcopter drone seems like a decent tow vehicle

[@GlidewithTom]

Wow, that would be awesome to see a drone as a tow plane. It seems far fetched but it's entirely possible.

[@SuLokify]

@@GlidewithTom It does seem a bit "out there," I had envisioned something like one of these recent "air taxis," basically an oversized quadcopter. It might have some more capabilities and be cheaper than a regular tow (no fuel! no pilot! go vertical!)

[@GlidewithTom]

@SuLokify definitely, if there's just an electricity bill and low maintenance that'd be much easier than running a big old tug like Pawnee

[@someguydino6770]

Dont' wanna take anything away from this channel; but this concept AIN'T NUTHIN NEW! ; see Bob Carlton started performing aerobatics at airshows in a jet powered sailplane in 1993; AND HE"S STILL GOING!

[@GlidewithTom]

Great point, it's great to see those early videos of jet-powered gliders. It found the cool thing with the JS3 was its convenience with the jet, but also its performance as a pure glider. When I was flying around in a LS4 and feeling low I'd see the JS3 zoom 1000 feet underneath me heading further away from home like it had 10k feet of spare altitude.

[@user-nl6dg2mp8p]

What a great idea! Place a jet engine on top of the fuselage so you can melt the tail!

[@Johan-ex5yj]

The Jet looks great, but I would prefer an electric self-launch glider like the one in Stefan Langer’s latest video. That is a real dream machine! 😍

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey Johan, good point on the self launcher. It would be super handy to be to get off the ground when the tug is borken and also a bit of a let down to not be able to launch when you have such a fancy glider

[@lazerathhome]

After learning about a sail pilot dieing recently when his batteries burst into flame while he was flying there ain't NO WAY you'd get me into an electric sail plane. There are litteraly thousands of videos of Electric Vehicles bursting into flames from their batteries spontaneously exploding while parked and driving. Thousands of Electric Scooters burst into flames around the world each year. Some cities are starting to BAN Electric Scooters in APARTMENT BUILDINGS because of Lithium Batteries Exploding. I have been an Electric RC Airplane Enthusiasts for close to two decades. I know first hand the dangers of these batteries. AIN'T NO way I'd trust the lives of friends or families one of these death Traps in mid air. There is a reason why the transport of these batteries were banned in Commercial Flights by many places. Several Large Transport Planes and ALL CREW were lost when Lithium batteries in the cargo hold spontaneously exploded into flames.

[@jb5music]

I've seen them with folding engine retracting propellers. So once there at altitude there's no drag.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Wonder how it would go with one of the newer High Bypass TurboFan designs for RC jets, should be a lot more thrust for the same fuel, and more mixing of the exhaust with the fans output, to mix and cool to air pushed out the back. Aircraft like these, but many times the wingspan, is what will be needed on Mars.

[@GlidewithTom]

Yeah that'd be very cool to see. How much power do those high bypass turbo fans put out? The fuel inefficiency in a challenge with these little jets

[@Vote_Blue]

It stops being a glider when you add an engine.

[@GlidewithTom]

What if the engine is retractable? That little jet stays away when you're soaring but is ready to pop out and fire up when you really need it

[@southpark4151]

Some aircraft remain glidable when the power is totally removed abruptly. So it is possible to have a glider with engine. That is ... some planes are also gliders. For this particular glider, it hasn't got a cfm56, and can't take off by itself.

[@kenjgood]

Same holds true for bicycles. You are the reason the World is still a safe place to live. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baquaaB3nLqIq7c

[@aerodyneservices]

Not according to the certification authorities.

[@pilotmiami1]

Bravo.go Ahead

[@AZDodgeViper]

Did you watched the video before you write you wrote messages? The Jet is there to provide additional power if needed to get to a safe landing field.

[@danielnorman8595]

I think I'd rather go with solar panels on the wings and the electric motor. On a sunny day you could be up there all day

[@ichibanotedama7172]

Smoking While Jogging...An Honest Politician...Smart Policeman

[@thebunit6492]

'Punch it Chewy'...melts rudder.

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha light speed definitely exceeds VNE!

[@simunator]

this is so kino

[@ovalwingnut]

Very COoL. But those two large worm gear 'hose clamps' don't distill much confidence.. A nice feature would be to have the ability to EJECT that little screamer in case of ______________________ (your answer here). Thank you for the video. You RoCk!

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha ejecting the engine would be a good trick! It'd be sad to have to pay for a new one! Even with the jet but not running it doesn't produce much drag.

[@greybirdo]

Great work, Tom. I thought I was watching a TV clip, until I recognised your name.

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey thanks! Haha I did used to work in TV so I definitely fall back on my TV style story telling.

[@shemdronetech1786]

Great range

[@ShockeWulf190]

What a great song choice

[@GlidewithTom]

Tame Impala, so good!

[@user-du2cy7fo6b]

Glider/powered. Pick one

[@GlidewithTom]

I thought that too initially but I was pretty won over by the convenience of being able to switch between powered and unpowered with the flick of a switch. I figure every glider needs something with an engine to get it into the air, whether it's a winch, tow plane or its own engine.

[@rickybo6862]

Capronni Vizzola was a glider with turbines back in late 80s

[@GlidewithTom]

Oh nice, I'll see if I can find some videos. I wonder how much the jet turbine tech has improved since then

[@clay1883]

I want it! I'd rather fly with 21 litres of kerosene on board than lithium batteries any day! Just one observation. I'd paint those hose screw clamps so as to not be so noticeable. Doesn't look tech worthy compared to the rest of the plane.

[@GlidewithTom]

Good point! Lithium batteries on a really hot day would be a bit intimidating. And if they started burning you're going to hope your parachute is ready.

[@Alexandro123-tr4mb]

Does this glider have a blueprint, give us a link?

[@81brassglass79]

(Glid·er) noun 1. a light aircraft that is designed to fly for long periods without using an engine.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes good point, but why can't it be both? These powered gliders spent 90% of their time in the air catching lift in the atmosphere. They only fire up the jet when they really need it

[@ellaluna5514]

Powered glider is a contradiction in terms!

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha yeah fair point! When the jet pops out it's powered and when it gets put away it goes back to being a glider. Best of both worlds!

[@dionisaacson2977]

I think Tom needs a new-glider Patreon account!

[@GlidewithTom]

Aww thanks Dion! Could fund some adventures. You can start a camping one too, I'll follow it and it on claim on tax as educational content

[@theirthereandtheyre2947]

If I won the lottery, I’d get a Stemme motor glider.

[@GlidewithTom]

Me too! They're not cheap. Definitely something to save our dollars for

[@whamoshablamo5025]

BRO WHIPPED OUT THE LET IT HAPPEN BY TAME IMPALA

[@GlidewithTom]

So good! I heard the song the other day and thought I need to bring it back

[@ronparrish6666]

Should also have it so it can turn around on landing reverse thrust 😅

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha the ultimate air brake!

[@rschiwal]

Jet powered glider; also known as an airplane.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha well yes, but once it retracts the engine it goes back to be a glider and a great glider at that! With a 55 to 1 glide ratio

[@aldoskyz8]

All that hot air directly over the tail.. mmm..

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha good point, I did think that too! But with all the air moving around the engine most of it is getting dissipated.

[@jimb3137]

So it's an airplane now. Excellent.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha well yes, but once the jet engine gets retracted it goes back to being a ridiculously efficient glider with a 55 to 1 glide ratio

[@SokratisFreeman]

hey Tom, I own an AS10 motorglider with a 4 stroke engine 45HP...Do you think I could use a jet engine like that in my plane?Empty weight is around 150Kgr

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey, nice to hear! I'm jealous, that AS10 would be great fun. I would think it's quite doable and would get you going. The JS3 is much heavier, especially with water ballast in the wings. But I'm not an engineer so not exactly sure. Here's an article about retrofitting jets md-flugzeugbau.de/en/blog/2023/03/09/news-from-the-jet-factory/

[@holywells]

WOW....L/D=55 to 1 !! Holy moly !!!

[@GlidewithTom]

Isn't it epic! When flying in another glider and watching a nearby JS3 they really look like they are flying perfectly flat with no descent.

[@user-uk1lt3rr2q]

Почему турбину сделали не убирающейся. Есть много вариантов механизации уборки всех выступающих частей, это сказывается на качестве. Или пришли конструкторы что не имеет смысла усложнять конструкцию.

[@hassocks1206]

Is it a good idea to have the jet blast aimed straight at the rear verticle stabiliser? 😮

[@GlidewithTom]

Great point, I did wonder that too. But I understand it's been carefully designed to avoid that risk. It is a tiny little engine. I did imagine standing behind it would be like the thrust from a fighter, but I didn't feel any heat when standing near the tail.

[@cjeam9199]

Well you wouldn't want to point it the other way.

[@TomTom-cm2oq]

@@cjeam9199unless your aim was to stop on a dime.

[@chopperskier]

I have seen a similar home built thing (not sure if it classified as an airplane or a glider)... the tail eventually failed due to the heat.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

In many aircraft, a 'blown stabiliser' keeps positive airflow over the control surfaces at lower airspeeds, giving the pilot powered control at speeds where the control surface would have stalled otherwise. So it's actually safer. The heat involved, Aluminium Foil Tape would be enough to dissapate the heat.

[@brianperry]

A glider does silently, or nearly so glide towards the horizon but not with a jet engine...???

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey Brian, haha yes well good point. Definitely one or the other. Nice or silent or very loud but convenient

[@BobBig007]

Good-dai.... This is great. I love the Aussie engineering! Does the jet engine change the class/type of a glider to an airplane? And if you are under power you have to give way to gliders? Here in the states you would.

[@GlidewithTom]

Thanks very much! It's definitely some Aussie soaring but the gliders are built in South Africa. The jet engine comes from Germany. The rules may be different in various countries but the additional jet engine doesn't change much with the glider class. Even powered gliders probably spend 90% of their time in the air catching air currents and not using the engine. Good question about giving way. I reckon if I was flying it I'd just being describing myself as a glider as with not much fuel I wouldn't want anyone to be telling be to go around in a circuit.

[@ronnaveau4801]

Needs 4 turbos for faster glide

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha more turbos the better!

[@hankhulator5007]

Hi Tom, this glider is awfully nice looking and the idea to equip it with a small jet engine allowing self-take off is awesome, well done !

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey it is a great looking glider right! These jets actually don't allow self take-off which is a bit of a drawback. But they're great once you're airborne!

[@hankhulator5007]

@@GlidewithTom I thought taking-off was possible because in the video it looks like the glider is accelerating on the runway to do so - but now I know it is not possible after taking a look at the jet specs, 350N max and 250N full unfortunately aren't thrusting enough for that.. _"But they're great once you're airborne!"_ That I trust, with a glide ratio reaching 55 an experienced pilot may reach almost anywhere, provided he found some good heat pumps :) You're a lucky guy !

[@GlidewithTom]

Great researching, I hadn't ween those power numbers. That video of the take-off you can actually see the rope to the tow plane ahead of it. And yeah with a goof pilot you can easily do 500km in a day in a JS3, even without using the jet

[@hankhulator5007]

@@GlidewithTom _" you can actually see the rope"_ Arf ! Nice example of cognitive bias from myself, I totally missed it :)

[@diytwoincollege7079]

Wings are quite bendy

[@GlidewithTom]

Oh ya! Check out some of the Jonkers JS3 test videos. It's amazing how much the wings can bend

[@ShezzerNator175]

Imagine needing a Turbine rating for a Glider 🤣

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha well I would like to have a turbine rating! But in most countries think these gliders don't need it. They're just classed a glider. I'm not exactly sure how the legislation works but it's simpler than I thought it could be

[@percival23]

Just saw a video of a self launch Glider with a retraceable propeller, ....don't see the point in adding power if it can't self launch. Yea, the Jet can get you out of trouble but why not go all the way and make it self launch.

[@GlidewithTom]

Yeah good point, I did think that too. This JS3 is at an airfield with easy access to a tow plane for launching. But if I didn't have access to a tow plane I'd probably go for a self-launcher

[@glennllewellyn7369]

Turbo prop me baby!

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha add any engine type and the glider gets more fun!

[@shemdronetech1786]

How do you get it up in the air?

[@GlidewithTom]

Even these jet powered gliders still need a tow plane to get them high enough to find rising air in the atmosphere to catch.

[@videofrat3115]

21 liters for 180km. 11.6l/100km It spends more fuel than a car. For some reason i was expecting less.

[@GlidewithTom]

Yeah it's pretty thirsty! That's jet engines. But you could be flying along at 180kph so you cover that 100km pretty quickly

[@urbanelectricstreetfighter6630]

Are those c clamps? That’s a nice glider is that a huffy 😂

[@GlidewithTom]

Where in the video are those c clamps? And a huffy? Haha I need to learn some more glider lingo

[@Subie-Driver]

So…if it is jet powered…it’s really not a glider is it?

[@tomrogers9467]

If it has an engine it’s an aircraft, not a glider. Any aircraft will glide without engine power. Just not as far. Less if rotary wing! 💥💥💥

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes good point, but why can't it be both? These powered gliders spent 90% of their time in the air catching lift in the atmosphere. They only fire up the jet when they really need it. When I'm a long way from home sinking liking a brick in a pure glider I definitely wished I had a jet as a backup

[@TomTom-cm2oq]

Does it come in a tandem version?

[@GlidewithTom]

Not these particular Jonkers but there's other great two seat gliders with engines like a Duo-Discus glider

[@user-gz2im2qc5r]

Finally

[@GlidewithTom]

Cool to see isn't it! I reckon it's the future for gliders, especially if they can self-launch with engines it'll make ops more simple

[@Clarence_13x]

Is it self launchable?

[@GlidewithTom]

Good question but sadly not. There a a few self-launching gliders but these little jets can't

[@peterw2714]

Is it really a glider still if it’s got a jet engine?

[@dynamikausa]

Junkers gliders, come equipped with small jet, kevlar armory, air to air misles.

[@Lacombe420]

Same certifications needed to fly as a glider🙂

[@GlidewithTom]

Good question Peter! I reckon it's cool that it can switch out. Keep the jet off and it's a pure glider that can compete in unpowered flying competitions. Or break out the jet and it'll quickly take you wherever you want to go

[@cantstopflying4137]

Insurance companies gonna love it. "Oh so your engine is not certified, and comes from a toy plane? "

[@imsoaring]

​@cantstopflying4137 Oh dear, you know nothing about sailplanes do you.

[@american7169]

Now i want to buy a glider and throw 4 of those on it...

[@GlidewithTom]

Yessss! Haha first supersonic glider maybe?

[@stealhty1]

Hot gases will eventually be affecting the empennage , vertical stabilizer fiber glass,,,Dont do it

[@GlidewithTom]

Great point, I did wonder that too. But I understand it's been carefully designed to avoid that risk. It is a tiny little engine. I did imagine standing behind it would be like the thrust from a fighter, but I didn't feel any heat when standing near the tail.

[@southpark4151]

I don't think I want to put the turbine in front of my tail though.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yeah I did think that too but when you stand behind the turbine you see the heat dissipates really quickly

[@southpark4151]

@@GlidewithTomThanks Tom. It is excellent that you're enjoying the flying as well. Best regards.

[@Cloudtidus1]

Turn down the muisc next time please to loud thanks for the video

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey thanks, good point, it is a bit loud

[@bluewaterboof82]

Isn't it no longer a glider once it is powered...?

[@GlidewithTom]

It can be a bit of both. When the jet is out and running it's powered but when the jet folds away it goes back to being a great glider that can fly very far with no power

[@wartomala7004]

With engine it's not a glider anymore 😂

[@GlidewithTom]

It can be a bit of both. When the jet is out and running it's powered but when the jet folds away it goes back to being a great glider that can fly very far with no power

[@peterbland7227]

If it has an engine, is it still a glider?

[@a64738]

The engine is only used for a short time, 90% or more of the time it is retracted into the airplane and you glide like a normal glider. Gliders is often towed by propeller aircraft, this is no different from that.

[@GlidewithTom]

Spot on! The JS3 can fly reallllly far even without the jet engine. You just need a bit of rising air in the atmosphere to ride

[@carpballet]

I’ll stick with my Cessna 172 glider

[@GlidewithTom]

more convenient than a glider! Haha but about the same glider ratio as when a glider opens airbrakes

[@admiralbeez8143]

Isn’t it now just a jet plane?

[@GlidewithTom]

Most jet-powered gliders are still really good gliders. So even with the jet not running their long wings can catching rising air currents and stay flying even without power. Most powered gliders spent 90% of their time not using the engine. Usually when you have an engine you actually want to avoid using it. And when you're forced to use it you feel dumb as it means you've failed to find enough atmospheric lift to stay airborne.

[@JJ-gm4ck]

this is a jet-plane. not a jet-glider.

[@GlidewithTom]

A bit of both really. When the jet engine folds away it's a pure glider

[@southpark4151]

Normally a jet plane can take off by itself. So if they put say a CFM56 on the top, then the craft could 'probably' take-off by itself.

[@TomTom-cm2oq]

Price?

[@GlidewithTom]

It varies a bit with different fit-outs but I understand it's close to $400k Aussie dollars once you include the trailer and shipping.

[@Mystickneon]

Eh.... that empennage was cosmetic anyway......

[@GlidewithTom]

Hahah good point. I did think that too! But with all the air moving around the engine most of the heat is getting dissipated quickly.

[@fails6040]

Gee, it's only $250,000.

[@GlidewithTom]

Yeah it ain't a cheap glider. But I suppose you always pay a premium for any high performance version of something

[@TheSoaringChannel]

I only just learned that the pylon MUST be installed to fly it. That's pretty disappointing. So if the jet is IN OP, you've got a fancy carbon fiber toy. At least with my DG - the doors get taped shut after securing everything and that's it. I flew for almost a year without the engine. Keep in mind that's just a friend of mine who has one who told me this important thing. It may not be true but I have no way to cross check this.

[@GlidewithTom]

Oh wow, that is an interesting point. I guess it'd be a lot of effort to design a structure without the pylon. The doors do look like they close nicely flush though.

[@cloudstreets1396]

I don’t understand what the big deal is about that. If the engine is not in use it is retracted. If the engine is inoperative it is retracted. What’s the difference?

[@leerilea1709]

Umm, it's no longer a glider?

[@flynntytonidae5631]

Motorglider now

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes well good point. But when the engine retracts it goes back to being a glider so it's the best of both worlds.

[@graemeglass7566]

it's not a glider then !🤣

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha well yes good point, but it can be both. A glider when it's spending 90% of its time catching rising air current and 10% of its time as a powered aircraft

[@LegateMalpais]

That's literally the engine's worst possible speed envelope. 22 litres of fuel for just over 100km of range? Seriously? You could literally get a 4 stroke nitro engine deliver same thrust for same speed at same total engine package weight and it would get you 10x as far with the same fuel.

[@GlidewithTom]

Yeah haha it is a thirsty little engine. But it's handy that it's so small and doesn't need a big propeller. There are also 4 stroke engines and battery engines for gliders

[@LegateMalpais]

@@GlidewithTom there are literally a hundred ways to go about having a glider engine and this has to be the most tragic I've heard of. I also noticed climb rate is never really mentioned, I'd bet there's a reason why.

[@geoffrobinson7104]

As an engineer and a pilot, does it really make any sense to locate a jet engine directly in front of your composite rudder and riser for the elevators? If the exhaust burns the riser causing failure of the rudder and elevator systems in flight. I see your comment below, but it appears more defensive than scientific. By the way, holding the turbine on by two tension bands would not cut it with any certified Air-frame and Power Plant mechanic. That is pretty casual You say you fly jets for work..... No pilot I know would say it is ok to stand behind a jet engine that had enough power to push a small plane or small glider. Ignorance may make good videos, but good pilots don't take chances.... not even test pilots. Good pilots are level headed thinkers, even those perceived to take chances. We don't take chances. I certainly hope you will not be soon featured in a "blancolirio" channel video.

[@GlidewithTom]

Hey Geoff good points on the odd location. It's because there's really no where else to stick it on a glider. I didn't design the glider or jet but I reckon their engineers would have done a whole lot of testing. Haha I'd hope so if I paid a few hundred thousand $ for one. When I've been standing behind these small glider jets on the ground their heat does seem to dissipate surprisingly fast. Even more so when the glider is zooming alone about 60 knots. Here's an article from a jet retrofitter: md-flugzeugbau.de/en/blog/2023/03/09/news-from-the-jet-factory/

[@toddkallenbach3904]

that's not a glider.....it is a powered aircraft.....it has an engine

[@CAPUT-rh2cm]

that can stay aloft indefinitely without power

[@toddkallenbach3904]

@@CAPUT-rh2cm prove it or shut up

[@CAPUT-rh2cm]

@@toddkallenbach3904I do have a gliding license? does that help

[@toddkallenbach3904]

@@CAPUT-rh2cm really.....?? I have an ATP license with CFI/CFII/MEI ratings, gold seal, FAA safety rep, ex-airline pilot and Captain experience in 135 ops with over 11,000 hrs....does that help....??

[@CAPUT-rh2cm]

​@@toddkallenbach3904 you have certainly helped with a reminder that mental health is important - maybe try getting out into nature?

[@george_lawson]

Jet powered? It’s not a glider

[@GlidewithTom]

Once it retracts its little jet engine it's a glider again and a very efficient glider. Most JS3 gliders probably spend 90% of their time in the sky riding rising air currents

[@kcstafford2784]

If it's jet powered it's not a glider?????

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha well yes but it can be a jet powered when the jet is put away it becomes a super efficient glider! It would spend 90% of its time in the sky just catching air currents for lift

[@anthonyware4033]

It is not glider now that there is a jet engine on it. Fake news, click bait

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes good point, but why can't it be both? These powered gliders spent 90% of their time in the air catching lift from. the atmosphere. They only fire up the jet when they really need it

[@georgeblank2648]

It's no longer a glider

[@GlidewithTom]

It can be a bit of both. When the jet is out and running it's powered but when the jet folds away it goes back to being a great glider that can fly very far with no power

[@johnelliott3617]

It is not a glider anymore.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes well good point it can power up. But even these jet powered gliders spent 90% of their time as pure gliders. It's just handy to have some liquid lift in a tank if you can't find a thermal.

[@bsmith8564]

Still needs a tow.

[@GlidewithTom]

Good point! That is one of the disadvantages compared to a self-launcher. Still plenty of work for the generous and much needed tow pilots

[@ockertbrits6907]

Did you watch the video?

[@bsmith8564]

@@ockertbrits6907 Of course, What's your point?

[@michaelpcoffee]

'Powered glider ' is a contradiction in terms. If it's powered; it isn't a glider. We need a new word.

[@user-du2cy7fo6b]

We have. That's called an aircraft. Every aircraft can glide.

[@michaelpcoffee]

@@user-du2cy7fo6b 'Powered flight'. Yeap....

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha that is a fair point Michael. I thought that too initially but I was pretty won over by the convenience of being able to switch between powered and unpowered with the flick of a switch. I figure every glider needs something with an engine to get it into the air, whether it's a winch, tow plane or its own engine.

[@ockertbrits6907]

How about "power assisted glider"?

[@michaelpcoffee]

@@ockertbrits6907 yah!!

[@Herofromzer0]

Too much thing can go wrong on air with this small flame thrower. Murphy allways waiting your wrong move.

[@GlidewithTom]

Haha I did think it'd be disconcerting to have the thing belching flames 30cm behind your head. But I imagine it's been tested rigorously to avoid any risks.

[@danielschechter8130]

It's not really a glider anymore if it has a jet engine. 😀😳 That said, it does look pretty cool.

[@a64738]

Sooo when you are towed to altitude with a propeller aircraft it is not a glider anymore either? The jet engine retracts into the aircraft when not in use, making it a totally normal glider when not running the engine.

[@cantstopflying4137]

Great. Now we have to dodge these DH's and the drone children at all altitudes. Good thing these little hobby jets self distruct often.

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha gliders can pretty easily get to Flight Level 300 so they're already up at all altitudes without a jet. Check out the Perlan Project. That glider got to 76,000 feet and keeps coming back safe and sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZnOaH2ZgLKloc0

[@CasperChicago]

Where is the sport of having a jet engine to power a plane. It is the same as olympic athletes taking performance enhancing drugs. It takes skill to find,...yes find and fly on wind currents! As an engineer, I say you have a jet plane,...NOT A GLIDER!

[@GlidewithTom]

Ha yes good point! It is an easy escape option. But most gliding competitions require gliders to only use air currents for lift and keep the engine away. As soon as you turn on an engine you're disqualified. If you watch gliding comps you see the bitter disappointment pilots face when they have been soaring and leading the pack for 3 hours but then get low and need to use their engine and end up out of the race

[@videotrexx]

Obnoxious music.

[@GlidewithTom]

Aww no fan of Tame Impala? A great Aussie musician

[@GurbaniKatha12]

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