Article Update — Photos of the designer’s own project… see at bottom. —DJ 3/2/22
A steady stream of readers ask about motorgliders. This is one of recreational aviation’s most interesting aircraft types. Motorgliders can soar reasonably well for those interested in working thermals or ridge lift to ascend without motor noise.
Many others might never shut down the engine and soar but are intrigued with efficient cross country flying. In a motorglider, a pilot can be more confident as the aircraft can glide far further than other types, providing a broader safety margin.
From a one-man operation comes the Italian Piuma Project. Designer and builder Tiziano Danieli describes his creations as “a friendly family of ultralight* motor gliders.”
Trouble Is…
Motorgliders Are Expensive
…Or, Are They?
Fully manufactured LSA motorgliders may get you airborne quickly whereas you need to build your Piuma, but the factory-built version will cost substantially more.
Search Results for : motorglider
Not finding exactly what you expected? Try our advanced search option.
Select a manufacturer to go straight to all our content about that manufacturer.
Select an aircraft model to go straight to all our content about that model.
Let’s Get High… Really High, OK? Exploring the “Upper Atmosphere” in a Pipistrel Motorglider
Probably like a lot of you, I enjoy different kinds of flying but if asked to state one favorite, it’s an easy question to answer.
I’m a great enthusiast of soaring flight. Over decades of sampling a large number of aircraft of every description, I’m still drawn to a machine, which lacking any kind of powerplant, relies on the performance of the design and the skill of the pilot to stay aloft. I remain fascinated with locating rising columns of heated air. Circle well enough into one of these invisible thermals and you may be rewarded with an invigorating sensation of lift, of riding the swirling airmass thousands of feet into the air …silently. It’s mesmerizing to observe the ground fall away as you are propelled higher and higher.
You may never have felt such thing and you may be hesitant about launching into the air in an aircraft that will allow only one approach and landing per flight; no exceptions.
Rare & Beautiful — Ekolot’s Elf Single Seat Motorglider Earns Special Light-Sport Aircraft
Welcome to the newest Special Light-Sport Aircraft …except that it isn’t so new(1). Indeed, we’ve seen the Ekolot Elf for a few years in this country. Here’s what I wrote on its introduction in 2017.
I was immediately drawn to Elf for two reason: One, I love soaring flight, which represents one of the most enjoyable challenges I’ve found in flying. “Hooking” a thermal and riding it thousands of feet upwards with the engine off or idling is not only magical; it’s also a good skill development exercise. Two, Elf was initially promoted as a Part 103, which I believe is aviation’s most charming — and certainly least-regulated — segment. Low prices, no pilot license required, no N-numbers, no medical of any kind …well, no wonder Part 103 aircraft are selling so well the last few years.
In Germany they have the “120-Kilogram Class,” meaning airplanes that weight no more than 264 pounds (very similar to the U.S.
DeLand Day One — SunDancer Motorglider from Distar; Cruise Cross Country or Power Down and Soar
Opening day at DeLand Showcase 2019 got off to a solid start. Most of the sold-out exhibit spaces were populated with aircraft despite the rush of colder, turbulent air from the north on Wednesday. While it was not the blue sky day that often visits Florida this time of year, winds died down nicely and a decent crowd of interested pilots were on-site though not all displays attracted as many visitors.
Flying activity was generous including a midday favorite from Sebring and Sun ‘n Fun: Manufacturer’s Showcase, which refers to a period of flying activity not the event. Aircraft representatives put their airplane through aerial paces one at a time, allowing more impressive demonstrations of their aircraft. All the action is close enough that attendees can see them well. This is similar to the flying on the grass strips of Paradise City or the Fun Fly Zone at Lakeland or Oshkosh.
Sonex’s Xenos Motorglider Kit Aircraft Upgraded to B Model
Sonex made a splash earlier when they announced their “B Models” for the Sonex and Waiex. Read about the B-model changes in this article. Now the Oshkosh, Wisconsin company has brought these same upgrades to their Xenos Motorglider.
Over many years I’ve asked many pilots why they fly, what their top reason might be. The answers are nearly as numerous as the number of pilots asked. For me, it’s probably aerial sightseeing, enjoying the view from above. Right after that, though, it is easily and clearly soaring. I’ve logged hundreds of hours soaring hang gliders and the sensation of rising thousands of feet in thermals remains one I cannot top with any other kind of flying.
Sonex’s Xenos is a motorglider and is quite adept at soaring.
So, I got excited when I read the Sonex Aircraft announce the new Xenos B-Model. You can order a Xenos-B now, kits are shipping, and, earlier purchasers may wish to check out the Xenos-B Conversion Kit.
Sebring…Meet Elf, a LSA Motorglider from Ekolot
News from Sebring Expo 2017…
“We had a lot of interest in Elf,” said Don Reece, the man behind Apogee A.C.E., the Florida dealer for Ekolot. Indeed, though even smaller and tucked behind Ekolot’s better known Topaz, Elf caught the attention of Videoman Dave and I as we scoured the Sebring exhibit grounds looking to shoot video of any aircraft or development of interest. We get to do this at many shows so catching our attention means something. (Watch for an upcoming video on Elf after editing is complete.)
Ekolot Elf — It looks small and is physically smaller because Elf seats comfortably (but narrowly) a single occupant. It read “Light-Sport” on the outside but it has not completed the proof of compliance as of Sebring 2017. However, that’s the plan after an FAA regional office told importer Krzysztof “Kris” Siuba that Elf was too fast for Part 103 and any attempt to remedy that would be fruitless so it could not qualify for FAA’s simplest, least regulated category.
Airsport (Melody Aircraft) — Song motorglider 2014
We’ve seen the Song but as the ULS, a pure-electric version of the same airplane as substantially modified by Randall Fishman’s Electric Aircraft Corporation. This gasoline-powered original is offered by Melody Aircraft in Canada, represented by Gary Steadman. Song is built in the Czech Republic and imported to Canada by Gary. Listen to his advice on the video about how you can obtain one along with performance and other specs.
Electric Aircraft — ULS electric motorglider (2013)
Like many of you, we began admiring this handsome motorglider at AirVenture 2012 where it made a first appearance. How could you not like these lines? After realizing this was another in Randall Fishman’s line of electric-powered aircraft, interest grew even more intense. You can watch our earlier video but in this version we find out more about flying the ULS and we see scenes of Randall flying in the new Paradise City at Sun ‘n Fun.
Pipistrel — Sinus (motorglider LSA – 04/11)
Pipistrel has a wide variety of Light-Sport Aircraft from trikes (where they started long ago) to powered sailplanes to motorgliders to more conventional fixed wing aircraft. In this video we examine the Sinus (pronounced SEEN-us) in taildragger configuration – it is also available in tricycle gear. This impressive company earned SLSA status for three models earlier in 2011 and they are moving up the sales charts.
Phoenix Air — Phoenix (motorglider)
If you love long, shapely wings, here’s an airplane to warm your heart. But it’s more than an LSA airplane… in fact, it’s a motorglider and a most impressive one at that. For soaring enthusiasts Phoenix is one of the most attractive choices among all Light-Sport Aircraft. But it can cruise fast and long while providing a huge safety measure of a very long glide in the unlikely event her engine should fail. See standard multiple wings and more in our video presentation of Phoenix.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 21
- Next Page »