Alpin motor glider
Photo Gallery

John Everest built this beautiful TST-3 Alpin TM wood and composite single-seat ultralight motor glider with a kit imported from the designer/manufacturer – TeST s.r.o. of Brno, Czech Republic (www.test.infoline.cz). The actual build time was 2000 hours over 2.5 years against the estimated time of 800 hours over one year. You can view details of the construction project in Constructor's Corner. The aircraft is designed for self launch and climb to height and then, if atmospheric conditions are suitable, soaring with the retractable engine and pylon stowed within the fuselage. The engine may be restarted in flight. One wheel main undercarriage.       •   Span: 13.8 m       •   Length: 5.9 m       •   Aspect ratio: 17.95:1       •   Aerofoil: Wortmann FX 61-184       •   Empty weight: 250 kg (actual weight of 19-3870 with engine)       •   Stall speed: 37 knots       •   Glide ratio: 33:1 at 46 knots       •   Minimum sink rate: 150 ft/min at 40 knots       •   Climb-out (at 6400 rpm): 500 ft/min       •   Cruise (at 5500 rpm): 55 knots       •   Vne: 97 knots       •   Engine: Rotax 447 fan cooled       •   Fuel capacity: 32 litres       •   Fuel consumption: 6.1 l/hr (242 litres used over 39.8 engine hours, mainly in climb)       •   Take-off distance to 50 feet: 350 m (as quoted)       •   Landing over 50 feet: 200 m (as quoted)

John wrote: "The silver patches on the wing and fin leading edges are an aid to being seen. I read about a couple of trials conducted in the UK recently which found that a motor glider with 3M Mirror film attached to the leading edges and all control surfaces was consistently spotted at greater distances than any other colour or pattern used in the trial. Although I am not using the 3M Mirror film, just a cheaper silver alternative it still seems to give a good reflection ( the top photo demonstrates this nicely). I am actually conducting a sort of unofficial trial myself in that I have asked members of the Caboolture Aero Club to let me know if they get a good visual from my glider whilst flying. If it does prove to be effective and beneficial then certainly I'll be putting silver patches on my Boorabee ultralight and recommending that other pilots do the same on their aeroplanes."

The lowering/ raising mechanism for the retractable power unit is electrically operated. The turtle deck doors open only during the raising/lowering operation and the propeller is held in the vertical position.

"The cockpit is relatively small (as, I think, in all gliders) however I have designed it just for myself. My main concerns were for a comfortable seat with thigh support and to be able to easily reach all instruments. This was achieved and I'm very happy with it, however a taller person might have to make some modifications. The fuel tank also serves as the seat back, and this is adjustable so as to help a taller pilot to fit!"