Presentation at SSA 2012 by Richard Perl and Miek Haisten of www.touringmotorgliders.org

2. • Presenters:
– Richard Pearl, CFIG
– Michael Haisten, A&P/IA
• What is a TMG?
• Legal Issues
• The Fleet
• Geography
• Mechanical Issues
• What’s new with the TMGA?

3. What is a TMG
YES
Close, but No

4. Why TMGs:
• Combine soaring and travel
• Fly even when soaring not an option
• Forget the tow-plane
• Carry passengers (most TMGs)
• Fly further; no land outs or retrieves
• Medical self-certification

5. TMG Issues
Legal:
• It’s a Glider, so you need a GLIDER
rating
• AC 61-94
–With a power rating (ground
instruction, 3 flights)
–Without a power rating (5 hours in
TMGs, dual X-C, 10 T.O./Landings;
need lots more……….

6. TMG Issues (cont’d
 Additional training; endorsement
required
–
Airspace, communications, weath
er
 Additional complexity – engines,
equipment
 Storage: tie-down or hangar

8. Classic TMGs (< 1980)
Fournier RF4D
Super Falke
Fournier RF5D Eisenbahn-Fliegen

9. Classic TMGs (cont’d)
ASK 14 Ryson
Schibe 34
MotorFalke

10. Early Modern (1980 ‘s)
Grob 109 BlanikVivat
HK Dimona Europa

11. Early Modern (cont’d)
Lark (IS28)
Caproni
Strojnik
Ogar

12. Early Modern (1980 ‘s)
HB-23-2400
Taifun
SGM 2-37

13. Middle Modern (1990’s)
Stemme
Ximango
Diamond Extreme

14. Modern - 2000
Lambada Pipistral Virus
Carat Pipistral Taurus

15. Modern (cont’d)
Samba
Phoenix
TST BonusJet

18. Mechanical Issues
 TMGs are more a single engine land plane than a
glider.
– Additional systems include:
– Engine
– Fuel systems
– Propeller / Propeller control
– More complex electrical systems
– Navigation systems

19. TMG - Common engines
 Limbach – Grob – Sachs
These are VW derivatives
80 to 90 HP
Heat sensitive
Lower cost
****not built from VW parts from the auto parts
store****
 Rotax
Purpose-built aircraft engine
80-100-115 HP
More complex with liquid cooling
115 HP is Turbo charged
Higher cost

20. Propellers – Fixed Pitch
 Simple construction
 Low cost
 High drag in “glider mode”
 Air starts possible

21. Propellers – Variable Pitch
 Many parts:
Manual, Hydraulic, or Electric
control
 Climb or Cruise pitch available
 Featherablefor reduced drag in
“glider mode”
 Air starts possible…..maybe

22. Propellers – Folding
Fixed pitch
 Very low drag in “glider
mode”
 Air starts not possible

23. Other Considerations
 Glider category VS LSA (Light Sport Aircraft)
 Gliders have gone through the FAA certification process
Annual inspections by an A&P with Inspection
Authorization
Rotax can only be maintained by a Rotax trained
mechanic
 LSA has lesser certification requirements for the aircraft
 LSA requires a higher level of maintenance
All Manufacturers maintenance schedule MUST be
followed
Rotax can only be maintained by a Rotax trained
mechanic

24. Added Complexity
 Fuel systems
Fuel tanks, lines and valves
Fuel pumps
 Electrical systems
Charging systems
Lighting
 Navigation systems
TMG’s tour so they commonly
have aircraft navigation systems
VOR Receivers
DMEs
GPS
Some even full IFR equipped

25. What’s new with the
TMGA?
• Touring Motor Glider Association
Web Site:
www.touringmotorgliders.org

27. TMGA: Where do we go
from here?
• TMGA Seeking formal SSA
Division Status
• Fly-Ins and informal meets
• Fun contests (soaring & fuel
efficiency)
• International participation