There is no official definition of a “motor glider”. The FAA does not use that term. They do call out a requirement for a “glider”, the aircraft is still considered a “glider” even though it has an engine.
In FAR part 23, for an aircraft to be considered a “glider” it must meet the following criteria:
(i) The number of occupants does not exceed two;
(ii) Maximum weight does not exceed 850 kg (1874 pounds); and
(iii) The maximum weight to wing span squared (w/b2) does not exceed 3.0 kg/M2 (0.62 lb./ft.2).
Some of the most interesting aspects of the project are the possibilities related to operating the aircraft as a glider.
Most people are not aware of the operating limitations that allows for an experimental light sport aircraft that were certified during the transitioning period may be used for compensation and hire while towing. Most of those transitioned aircraft from the fat ultralights to experimental light sport aircraft still hold the operating limitations that allows them to tow. There are many experimental light sport category aircraft that will be capable of towing this type of aircraft.
We think that aircraft like the Quicksilver GT 400 and the Quicksilver GT 500 are excellent examples that could make perfect tow aircraft for this particular type of glider. The possibilities for tow aircraft with this type of glider are plentiful and really exciting.
For ground tow operations we anticipate the ability to be towed behind a four wheeler or a small car. In the early stages of development the aircraft battery capabilities may be somewhat limited and the ability to tow aloft and then utilize the electric motor as a sustainer would probably give flight times in the neighborhood of 30 minutes even with batteries limited to 50 pounds.
The lightweight nature of the aircraft and its either semi or fully enclosed cabin capability would make it ideal for towing behind a snowmobile on a frozen lake for example. We visualize tow altitudes as high as 3000 feet in these situations. Once at altitude the sustainer motors could be turned on for extended flight.
Slope soaring is another area that we think this aircraft can particularly shine in. Even on a marginal wind days where there is some lift but not enough for sustain flight the addition of supplemental electric power makes the possibility for flight still possible.
With the addition of electric power the possibility of exploring beyond the local safe flying area becomes possible. Even on a good lift day you need to have an extra margin of safety in the event that the lift disappears en route to a new source of lift. The electric sustainer motors provide that extra margin of safety that will allow exploration of new flying sites.