Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/10/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Fascinating series Jim. I have happy memories of watching gliders in the sky above my house when I was a kid, but I guess the fact that my local airport classes itself as ?international? has killed that off. I think all people with any kind of adventure in their blood would love to experience the apparent freedom that flying in a glider brings. Gerry Gerry Walden LRPS www.gwpics.com +44 (0)23 8046 3076 or +44 (0)797 287 7932 > On 7 Oct 2015, at 03:01, Jim Nichols <jhnichols at lighttube.net> wrote: > > Glider enthusiasts can now have the best of both worlds, powered flight > and a record-setting sailplane. The Stemme S10-vt motorglider is built in > Germany and distributed in North America from Colombia, SC. The company > demonstrator arrived this afternoon in preparation for the AOPA fly-in > which takes place this weekend. I was happy to get a chance for a close > look. > > The airplane is powered by a 115hp Rotax turbocharged engine that is > installed behind the cockpit, which drives a concealable folding propeller > behind the nosecone. It can cruise comfortably at 120 knots, and carries > oxygen to go along with its service ceiling of 30,000 ft. With a high > aspect ratio wing, it has a 50:1 glide ratio in glider configuration. The > long wing is folded to enable it to make use of normal storage. > > The demonstration pilot gave me a big wave when he arrived. > http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Stemme+1.tif.html > > I was impressed by the instrument panel. > http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Stemme+2.tif.html > > I had seen pictures of the folding prop, but had never seen one up close. > The engine and prop can make normal takeoffs and climbs, can be stopped > and stowed in the air, and can be repositioned and restarted in the air if > necessary. > http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Stemme+3.tif.html > > The wing hinges permit folding by one man, so that normal parking or > hangar spaces can be utilized. > http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Stemme+4.tif.html > > This shows the right wing in the folded and stowed position. > http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Stemme+5.tif.html > > All photos with the X-E1 and 27mm > > Comments and critiques welcomed. > > -- > Jim Nichols > Tullahoma, TN USA > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information