Motor glider decisions.

[Rudix]

Hi Everyone,

I have decided since I have a birthday coming up in not to many moons it is time that I spoil myself with a new toy :D

A motor glider would be fun, I have flown in a Fournier RF5B a long time ago and I loved it. I would love to rather use the thermals than swear at them !

I would like a motor glider with a reasonable LD, at least 22:1, a not too slow cruise (80+ mph?) and 2 seats with a decent range would be great. If it could be flown with a MPL it would be fantastic but if it requires a PPL so be it.

I have done some research on the Whisper, Grob 109, Scheibe SF-25, Fournier RF5B and Dimona H36. Prices vary a lot with a few of the options quite expensive.

Does anyone on the forum have any experience or suggestions? Pitfalls or other things to look at ? Anyone knows where there is a motor glider for sale ?

Any input would be appreciated !

Fly safe,
Rudi

[DieselFan]

Hey Rudi, slow down you already got too many regs on your sig!

[Rudix]

Hey Rudi, slow down you already got too many regs on your sig!

Hi DieselFan,

Great to hear you are better and flying again :D

I am still behind Willie with my collection

Fly safe,
Rudi

[RV4ker (RIP)]

You will need a MGPL (motorised Glider Pilot License).

Was a Falke for sale at FASI some time back. Was R160K. 35hp engine and it a bit on the slow side. On other end of the scale the Lambada is an awesome machine and a nice compromise between glider and tourer but it based on Euro so it expensive.. Chat to Wayne Estement (EAA 322). He has plenty gliding contacts and I think he owned a share in the Flake for sale...

There is a Whisper for sale on Avcom. R450ish IIRC?

Was a Fournier RF5B for sale at Magalies gliding club, but it may have been the one that went it some time back...

[Rudix]

You will need a MGPL (motorised Glider Pilot License).

Was a Falke for sale at FASI some time back. Was R160K. 35hp engine and it a bit on the slow side. On other end of the scale the Lambada is an awesome machine and a nice compromise between glider and tourer but it based on Euro so it expensive.. Chat to Wayne Estement (EAA 322). He has plenty gliding contacts and I think he owned a share in the Flake for sale...

There is a Whisper for sale on Avcom. R450ish IIRC?

Was a Fournier RF5B for sale at Magalies gliding club, but it may have been the one that went it some time back...

Hi RV4ker,

Yes, I suppose a MGPL would be called for, I wonder when a plane becomes a motor glider ?

I have forgotten the Lambada ! Will do some more reading....... It is a shame the R is so weak

Thanks for the info, will find out about the RF5B, since it is aerobatic it also opens other options :D

Will go and look at some of these planes !

Regards,
Rudi
PS. That Whisper looks good......

[Tjoek]

Suggest you look at Whisper. Whisper with Jabiru 3300 excellent choice. Speak to Russel Phillips (Whisper Aircraft) or Len at Jabiru. Jabiru now build them as factory ready planes.

Pro's:

1. Very rugged design (thus somewhat heavier than others e.g. Lambada)
2. Good builder support (see www.whisperaircraft.com forum)
3. 7 Flying, and this number will increase a lot based on many under construction. Mine is number 40 already.
4. Great flyer.
5. If you need extra speed, you can fit short wings.

Con's

1. You need a HUGE hanger.
2. Yoy need a PPL.

[Rudix]

Suggest you look at Whisper. Whisper with Jabiru 3300 excellent choice. Speak to Russel Phillips (Whisper Aircraft) or Len at Jabiru. Jabiru now build them as factory ready planes.

Pro's:

1. Very rugged design (thus somewhat heavier than others e.g. Lambada)
2. Good builder support (see www.whisperaircraft.com forum)
3. 7 Flying, and this number will increase a lot based on many under construction. Mine is number 40 already.
4. Great flyer.
5. If you need extra speed, you can fit short wings.

Con's

1. You need a HUGE hanger.
2. Yoy need a PPL.

Hi Tjoek,

The Whisper looks like a good option, the kit price is also good. I must try and find one to have a look at. I like the Jabiru 3300 option, a great engine.

The hangar might be a problem, but I suppose that is a problem with most motor gliders. I am looking at a couple of options since my current situation is not acceptable.

Thanks for the info,
Regards,
Rudi

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Yes, I suppose a MGPL would be called for, I wonder when a plane becomes a motor glider ?

he he he. When it registered as a Motor Glider

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Under correction
If you do it before the new part 62 comes into force it possibly just a convex. Sfter that time I am lead to believe that it will be a new license from scratch.

[Rudix]

Under correction
If you do it before the new part 62 comes into force it possibly just a convex. Sfter that time I am lead to believe that it will be a new license from scratch.

Interesting, that is a major motivation then ! I will make a plan asap. Talking about that, need to do a trike conversion soon as well for the same reason!

Thanks !
Rudi

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Interesting, that is a major motivation then ! I will make a plan asap. Talking about that, need to do a trike conversion soon as well for the same reason!

Thanks !
Rudi

Ditto. Hope to start on 2 June.... Springs have a couple Falke's and offer MGPL on them.

[Ugly Duckling]

From the Springs Gliding Club

How do I start flying motor gliders
Written by Rick Cottle

Not much. Just your bod and a bit of cash. To get your touring glider licence ultimately you need the following

Membership to the Souring Society of South Africa (SSSA)
Membership to the East Rand Flying Club
Membership to the SpringsGliding Club
A current Aviation Medical, Grade 4
A SSSA student pilots licence.

Thats Great but how much does it cost?

SSSA is R1000.00
ERFC is R500.00
SGC is R300.00

How much does Training cost?

R280.00 per hour if you have the required paperwork and membership.

PM me for more details

[skybound®]

Number 8 Whipser in the air last week Wednesday. No. 9 almost ready from Jabiru in George and about six weeks away another one in PE . These will be followed by one in Knysna, followed closely by one in Durban.

Add that all together and that means in about six to eight weeks time there will be at least 11 Whispers flying. Think there are abouy 45 kits sold - so if you work that out - means over 25 % of the kits sold will be flying. For a 1200 hour build and only two and a bit years since official launch - I believe this is a South African Aviation success story.

You can register either as a Motor glider or NTCA, as far as I know. Know of a few flying them on a PPL. Maybe worth asking on the Whisper forum if the answer isn't there already.

[Rudix]

From the Springs Gliding Club

How do I start flying motor gliders
Written by Rick Cottle

Not much. Just your bod and a bit of cash. To get your touring glider licence ultimately you need the following

Membership to the Souring Society of South Africa (SSSA)
Membership to the East Rand Flying Club
Membership to the SpringsGliding Club
A current Aviation Medical, Grade 4
A SSSA student pilots licence.

Thats Great but how much does it cost?

SSSA is R1000.00
ERFC is R500.00
SGC is R300.00

How much does Training cost?

R280.00 per hour if you have the required paperwork and membership.

PM me for more details

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the info, sorry I am only getting back to you now, have been away for a few days.

This looks good, I will pay the Springs guys a visit to get the ball rolling. I wonder when the best time would be to go and have a look?

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Rudix]

Number 8 Whipser in the air last week Wednesday. No. 9 almost ready from Jabiru in George and about six weeks away another one in PE . These will be followed by one in Knysna, followed closely by one in Durban.

Add that all together and that means in about six to eight weeks time there will be at least 11 Whispers flying. Think there are abouy 45 kits sold - so if you work that out - means over 25 % of the kits sold will be flying. For a 1200 hour build and only two and a bit years since official launch - I believe this is a South African Aviation success story.

You can register either as a Motor glider or NTCA, as far as I know. Know of a few flying them on a PPL. Maybe worth asking on the Whisper forum if the answer isn't there already.

This is fantastic ! Great to see locals doing well !

I will do some more research and maybe a visit to a project. I am not sure where I will get the time from to build but it can be done, or else a non complete project could also work. I know there are sometimes Whispers on the market so that is an option as well.

Going the NTCA route might make more sense for me but the MGPL is still something I would like to get.

Thanks for the info !

Fly safe,
Rudi