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I think you have to count batteries. That said at least in EU I think there is already a big electric assist / launch sailplane market - is this not permitted i
by slownews45 5y ago
I think you have to count batteries. That said at least in EU I think there is already a big electric assist / launch sailplane market - is this not permitted in the US?
That said, some of the electric sailplanes are in the 800lbs range - so that is a LOT more.
- JasonFruit 5y agoWhy not at least deduct from the batteries' weight the 30-pound weight of the maximum 5 gallons of gasoline? An ultralight has to carry that extra thirty pounds on takeoff, which is probably the point where the higher stall speed matters the most for safety; it seems reasonable to allow at least that much deduction for batteries. Even that would be an encouragement.
- slownews45 5y agoNot disagreeing. In my view the reliability / noise (ground issue) / pollution etc make an electric sustainer absolutely fantastic. Sailplanes can slow way down as well, so yes, if they crash its a problem, but these are not GENERALLY stall/spin into ground at high speed. Stall speeds can be down in 40kt range or lower. I don't follow this area closely though so have NO IDEA of US regulatory rules here. But the electric use cases in this general category seem somewhat clear?