Sailplanes

First sailplane with FES system

We upgraded an EASA certified 18m class LAK17A sailplane with our FES system.

Our goal was that glide performance and handling of the upgraded sailplane would be unchanged so that all the advantages of FES could be used during competitions.

Which new sailplanes can be ordered with FES system?

During Aero 2010 we agreed with new producer of LAK sailplanes, UAB Sportine Aviacija ir Ko, that now on their range of single seat sailplanes can be ordered with FES system or FES prepared fuselage.

LAK-17B FES, New FAI 15-18m class sailplane, with max TO weight 600kg

LAK-17A FES, FAI 15m - 18m class sailplane

LAK-19 FES, FAI Standard - 18m class sailplane

Which used sailplanes can be upgraded with FES at the moment?

Now is possible to install FES system into used LAK17B, LAK17A or LAK19 sailplanes. They can be pure sailplanes or "turbo prepared for Solo2350 engine"!

Which other types of sailplanes are suitable for FES installation?

1. We don’t have a list of suitable sailplanes, as each type should be checked in detail. But for sure we can say that all DG single seat sailplanes are not suitable, as there is not enough space for engine in front.

2. Nose section should be round as possible, as spinner must be round. ASW, ASG, ASH, HPH and JS1 might be OK. For Schempp-Hirth sailplanes might be possible too, but with smaller spinner probbably.

3. Complete additional weight in fuselage is about 35kg. Suitable sailplanes must have enough reserve in weight of non lifting parts. Most new 15 and 18m class sailplanes were already designed for additional weight of sustainer engine.

4. Used pure sailplanes and also "turbo prepared" versions are suitable to upgrade. Even better are new sailplanes with special box for batteries glued in shells before closing fuselage moulds, as this is much easier to do during production process than later.

Will be FES available as a kit?

When a number FES instalations will be done on one type of saiplane, than maybe we could teach certified workshops how to do installation for this type. But you must know that FES instalation is quite demanding job.

Certification

Certification will be done in different ways depending if this is new or used sailplane. For countries under EASA regulations Suplemental Type Certificate (STC), can be issued. For new sailplanes Major Change to current Type Certificate can be done. For ultralight, experimental or home built sailplanes might be much easyer.

Price of FES instalation

Depend on

-type of sailplane (some types of sailplanes will have more batteries than others)

-new (FES prepared) or used pure sailplane

-requested type of certification.