Hello all,
In the past I have brought up my idea on this forum to design and build a small electric glider that only needs to climb out of a small GA airport and motor over to a local HG hill near me. The flight is all of 5 miles which makes an electric motor glider feasible. With this mission in mind it appears that both the Zigolo and EMG-6 would fullfill the same goal. I am curious to hear what other son here think about each design.
Zigolo
The Zigolo is not much more than a modified Goat but the electric powerplant they are developing seems very advanced. They offer buy for 8K now and build and motor will be ready by the time I am done. Seems feasible since the prototype is very polished already. Downside is I am 6'4" 230lbs and the Electric powerplant is heavier than the IC and my wig loading may be so high it will have a high sinkrate and it may not soar. The HG location has strong thermals and the lift band is wide enough that I could stay clear of HG's but I still worry about the sink rate. Penetration between thermals is less of a concern since i will be relegated to a ridge area anyhow. I have windjammed mikes bug and Goat before at tehachapi and have been a fan of the design ever since.
EMG-6
The EMG-6 seems a much more advanced airframe than the Zigolo but their powerplant seems to be going toward the R/C hobby way over the advanced powerplant of the Zigolo. I am a bit confused about their membership levels. it looks like the EM-6 would carry my weight better than the Zigolo as well.
Part 103 worries... Could I fly out of KWHP head for the hills to avoid flying over any population but curious if being in Los Angeles county pretty much kills the idea of part 103. I am also open to registering it as a homebuilt to get the N number if needed.
Marc
In the past I have brought up my idea on this forum to design and build a small electric glider that only needs to climb out of a small GA airport and motor over to a local HG hill near me. The flight is all of 5 miles which makes an electric motor glider feasible. With this mission in mind it appears that both the Zigolo and EMG-6 would fullfill the same goal. I am curious to hear what other son here think about each design.
Zigolo
The Zigolo is not much more than a modified Goat but the electric powerplant they are developing seems very advanced. They offer buy for 8K now and build and motor will be ready by the time I am done. Seems feasible since the prototype is very polished already. Downside is I am 6'4" 230lbs and the Electric powerplant is heavier than the IC and my wig loading may be so high it will have a high sinkrate and it may not soar. The HG location has strong thermals and the lift band is wide enough that I could stay clear of HG's but I still worry about the sink rate. Penetration between thermals is less of a concern since i will be relegated to a ridge area anyhow. I have windjammed mikes bug and Goat before at tehachapi and have been a fan of the design ever since.
EMG-6
The EMG-6 seems a much more advanced airframe than the Zigolo but their powerplant seems to be going toward the R/C hobby way over the advanced powerplant of the Zigolo. I am a bit confused about their membership levels. it looks like the EM-6 would carry my weight better than the Zigolo as well.
Part 103 worries... Could I fly out of KWHP head for the hills to avoid flying over any population but curious if being in Los Angeles county pretty much kills the idea of part 103. I am also open to registering it as a homebuilt to get the N number if needed.
Marc
