July 2nd, 2019: Motor Glider

[xoxoxoBruce]

Gliders are assisted taking off by a tow plane or winch with a long cable, then riding air currants and thermals like a raptor,
quietly soar for hours. If they can’t make it back to their base they land where they can and fold the wings while waiting for
the guy towing the trailer to fetch them home.

Motor Gliders can take off then shut down the engine. After soaring they can fire up the engine to get home.
This Stemme S12 motor glider can retract the prop and close the nose cone for aerodynamics after the engine cools.
It has a waiting list of about 9 months and costs $349k to $369k (275k to 291k GBP, 307k to 324k euros).

Unlike the earlier Stemmes, the S12 is equipped with a single 31.7-gallon fuel tank hidden in the fuselage behind the cockpit. At 55 percent power, the Rotax will burn about 3.4 gallons per hour. By mixing powered aircraft time with soaring, the S12’s range can be enormous despite being officially listed as only 950 nautical miles. At 10,000 feet, the S12 will speed along at upward of 140 knots true.

The aircraft’s 12-volt battery can be charged by a set of solar panels embedded in the outer fuselage behind the canopy to extend the use of avionics during flight. Also nestled near the solar cells is the opening to a rear baggage compartment capable of holding 44 pounds of goodies, turning the S12 into a true cross-country soaring machine. In case a couple of hefty pilots happen to choose the S12, the aircraft is equipped with a water ballast system to make moving the center of gravity rearward a snap. The S12 also includes provisions for two optional oxygen bottles for high-altitude flight.

I think this one is extra cool, shut off the motor, the prop retracts, tell your date it fell off and you only have a few minutes before
you plunge to your demise... and you don't want to die a virgin.

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