EMG 6 Ultralight Motorglider

I recently ran across this aircraft and I gotta tell ya, it is imho, a fantastic design. The website is UGE! I am still looking to see if all of the information is there for a build, don't wanna repeat any of my previous mistakes!
Brian Carpenter is a very talented individual.
Rainbow Aviation is his company.
Electric propulsion is his goal hence the EMG name, but it has a 750# gross and shows a Poloni installation that I think Billski will find interesting as well as others.
18:1
Ultralight
His discussion about electric propulsion will almost have you soldering!
This site is very educational. Well worth the look.
OBTW wings and tail fold.
Ben
H-Minus

 

I agree. I have visited Rainbow Aviation several times following the development of the motor glider. As you mention there are several options, electric or gas, one or two seats, 103 or EAB. Many options and decisions, pros and cons.

That said, it is what it is and not for everyone by any means. It is a fun fair weather plane and a promising trainer.

 

They have some good “how to” videos on composite construction. Their early electric efforts produced an airplane thst, once launched by being towed behind a 4-wheeler, was sustained in flight by electric power.

Brian is a true experimenter.


BJC

 

Brian Carpenter+wrecked nissan leaf+chromoly+2024=viable electric aircraft.

 

I have decided to build the Awesome EMG 6.
The plans are the best I have seen. The documentation is unbelievable, frame jigs are just a trip to Office Depot. 3D printed parts will be available. I will power this Awesome Motorglider with either the Poloni Thor (I have read the pilot report) and will be my first choice as the installation is now being developed, Flythered aluminum cut case with redrive or an industrial engine (Predator) with redrive.
This plane makes most other airplanes I have looked at look unrefined.
H-Minus

 

I dont want to kill your enthusism, but you might want to make sure the design will still have support. I have been on his email list for years regarding the EMG-6 and a few weeks ago he sent out an email about being robbed recently and also the issue with Quicksilver backing out of the project had him rethinking continuing with the EMG-6.

Also while it is a cool design, its far too heavy to have any respectable thermal soaring ability. Might work OK in ridge lift though. As a fun flying sport plane its a viable design and worth the build if that is what your looking for, but as a UL motorglider there are better options.

 

Brian is gonna start back up in December on the 6. But I have all I need to build to build without support. The plans are open source and are available for download now.
I just want a sport plane for fun flying that won't drop with a throttle pullback. 18:1 is a big plus. There are many lakes and rivers near me and I had no confidence with my old trike to even try crossing. The 6, no problem.
The thing is designed like a Rolex watch.
Nice camera mounts btw, you Need a 3d printer!
Ben

 

Thanks for the compliments on the camera mounts. I do have a large format 3D printer and used one to iterate on my mount designs, but for production I wanted 6061.

Is 18:1 what he is claiming? That seems optimistic. However that could be possible but the sinkrate must be on the high side or at a higher power off speed to get that 18:1. The Zigolo and Goat claim less than 18:1 but the sinkrate is still on the low side. I came very close to building an EMG-6 as well and really like how Brian incorporated 3D prinitng in his design. I was not going for electric but would have chose the Polini. In the end I found a damaged Zigolo and am currently rebuilding that instead. Glad to hear Brian is starting back up in December.

 

Can you post a link to the performance specifications?

Thanks,


BJC

 

BJC, I have only seen a Vne of 90mph.

 

In your opinion, what are the "better options?"

 

If the goal is too be able to thermal and not be used as just a better than most UL in relation to L/D than either the Zigolo or the powered version of the Supergoat are better options. Both more expensive and not plans built. However, the Mike Sandlin Goat and the Bloop can be plans built and can also be converted for electric if E-Power was the plan. The Le Pelican is also a good option and its likely even better than the Zigolo since its a cleaner airframe.

 

I am making some mods to the 6, just so I can build without a cnc mill.The EC Goat, (ECAir) EasyComposites, has some fabulous ribs. They are I-Beam in section, foam composite attached to the front and rear spar with probably glass uni. will Ceconite dope adhere to glass?
BEN

 

Doesn't Billski have some boilerplate to insert at this point in the thread?

 

Bill and I have an understanding

 

I am printing out all the tube end profiles. I gotta tell you how nice this is, working in the living room watching TV. Bob Barrows rule of tube fitting is no more than the dia of the filler metal is allowed for the tube fitup crack. Go ahead and get cha some. It is hard. I have tons of scrap. But no scrap on the EMG 6 project.

Brian is developing the 6 for production, but i have identified a weight savings by welding 4130 for the tail group. Still using the ingenious .016 alum ribs riveted to 4130 for the airfoil shape. So, the Hor. stab will not fold.

I will leave the wing span as designed. Mr. Carpenter is way smarter than I, so im gonna stick to the plans. I will leave in place a Composite rib option, based on the EC Goat. (EasyComposites). My goal is a true as possible leading edge, maybe some Belite former ribs in between main composite ribs. Fabric covered.

Ben

The First Team
Second To None
All The Way
Rock Of The Marne

 

Would anyone be interested in a OX welded EMG fuselage?

 

I am gonna put a FLYTHERED VW engine on my 6! Oh Yeah!
Stinkin jugs will be right in the way of the airflow to the prop. Crap it's Always something!
Can't get around it. I'll take it.
Flywheel drive with prop extension.

 

With that engine combo it wont thermal for sure... What are your intentions with the EMG-6.

 

I just want a little sportplane I can fly around in and sightsee. It is still well within the gross weight limits.
I was just contemplating the prop extension shaft.��
Other than an electric motor, all other power is gonna need an extension. Something I really don't wanna do.
Welding and machining plus another bearing.
I think maybe I will just complete the airframe by then maybe some alternatives will turn up.

I guess I could put 6 electric motors on the leading edge spar.