What is the L/D of a self-launch Silent with the pylon extended?
Most self-launchers with an extended pylon and stationary propeller experience a sink rate from 2 to 3 times worse than the corresponding clean sailplane. For example, the self-launch Silent Club at 83 km/h (45 knots) with the pylon extended and the propeller at the 12 o’clock position has a sink rate of approximately 1.8 m/s (350 fpm) yielding a corresponding L/D of 13:1. For comparison, the same sink rate can be obtained with approximately 1/4 air-brake extension. The sink rate is similar for the Silent 2 and Silent 2 TARGA. It is important to note that the power-on climb-rate is at least 35% higher than the sink rate. A “dirty” glider can therefore glide back to the airport in a worst case scenario, assuming sufficient altitude has been attained to turn around. This does not take into account the typical advantages of climb-out into the wind and return glide with a tailwind. With the propeller positioned at the 6 o’clock position (ready for retraction), the sink rate is lower and th
Related Questions
- In some of the photos it looks like the self-launch Silent Club is on the nose wheel when occupied by the pilot. It seems that this would negate the use of the steerable tailwheel - so how does this work?
- The published empty weight of the self-launch Silent Club is 175 kg (386 lbs). I assume that this is without options such as the tip-up canopy and steerable tailwheel?
- What is the L/D of a self-launch Silent with the pylon extended?
