Anthony, Your last line question is interesting. I guess that "cheaper" is a relative thing. My guess is that you would still need to be a millionaire (like Simon), to be able to afford the initial cost, and then the annual up-keep/fix-it costs.
Then there are the issues like handling and performance. On reflection, it would seem that probably the no comprise solution is to have a selection of high performance gliders available in your hangar (and a full time maintenance man - sorry person - on the payroll?). Then you could pick your machine to suit the variables on any given day. In the "good old days" both Peter Griffith, and John Moore very successfully employed this approach. [Peter also had his own tug and tow pilot for a while.] Both these guys are still flying as members of the DDSC, but I understand their fleets have been culled somewhat, since those heady days. Moderation indeed! Gary ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 5:10 PM Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Stemme produce a UAV based on the S6 motor glider The deciding factor is always the cost per payload or cost per performance factor. The big question will be whether the S15 is able to undercut the price of similar systems by using an already certified airframe. The next question will be whether it can perform as well with its 'compromise' airframe (ie one already design to carry people) versus an airframe designed only to carry avionics as a payload. With the radar pod under the wing, I presume that it needs to circle in order to give 360 degree coverage or does the pod hang low enough to see under the fuselage? Presumably they come from the same production line as the S6 initially. I wonder if this will make the S6 any cheaper? On Tue 16/06/09 3:30 PM , Simon Hackett [email protected] sent: I don't know, but there are certainly similarities - including the use of a Rotax 914 Turbo as the engine in the platform. But I'm no expert on them. Are you? Regards, Simon On 16/06/2009, at 1:04 PM, Mike Borgelt wrote: > At 10:14 AM 16/06/2009, you wrote: >> For your interest, see attached pdf's. >> >> Here's a machine-translation of the German text in the first >> attachment; The S15 is a remote sensing variant of the Stemme S6 >> motor >> glider that was certified and entered series production some time >> ago. >> >> I think its pretty nifty to see a motor glider turned into a UAV! >> >> Regards, >> Simon > > So they're re-inventing the Predator A? > > Mike > Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments > since 1978 > phone Int'l + 61 746 355784 > fax Int'l + 61 746 358796 > cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784 > > email: [email protected] > website: www.borgeltinstruments.com > _______________________________________________ > Aus-soaring mailing list > [email protected] > To check or change subscription details, visit: > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.364 / Virus Database: 270.12.71/2178 - Release Date: 06/15/09 17:54:00
_______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
