It allows a glider pilot to extend the range of the sailplane. This auxiliary engine significantly reduces the risk of 'outlandings' and increases the ability to fly to regions that cannot be reached without auxiliary engine power. You can use this engine to climb and switch it off after your sailplane has gained sufficient altitude.
When actually not in use during flight, the engine can be retracted it into the gliders fuselage. The PSR Jet System consists of an engine service data terminal with control switch to turn it on and off, as well of a box that will retract the engine into the fuselage when not operating. Information on engine rotspeed, fuel quantity, exhaust gas temperature and ready to start indication is shown on the engine service data terminal.
The PSR Jet System is, in many ways, advantageous over traditional 2 stroke engines and the following benefits are introduced, based on our research and the way glider pilots value the features of the PSR Jet System.
ASW27-J with PSR T01 KS engine in flight.
Retrofit-able
One of the great advantages of the PSR Jet System is the ability to retrofit the PSR Jet System into sailplanes that are not prepared for the attachment of auxiliary engines from scratch. This is a feature that provides essential value to pilots. For structural and design reasons it is currently not possible to retrofit certain gliders with an auxiliary piston engine, such engines being considerably larger and heavier than the PSR Jet System. The PSR Jet System will be built in by distributors, which will have the TC or STC of your sailplane.
Safety
The entire PSR Jet System is very small and thus leaves room for other systems, such as parachutes. Furthermore, the design and size of the PSR Jet System does not cause critical aerodynamic disruptions during the retraction phase (which can lead to a sudden loss of height and speed).
Reliability of auxiliary engines is an often discussed criteria. Pilots indicate a high need for reliability, since a failure of the system during flight could lead to an emergency landing outside of appropriate airfields. Despite the high-tech nature of the PSR Jet System and its retraction mechanism, the PSR Jet System is highly reliable.
Overall, reliability, space and the aerodynamic design of the auxiliary engine and therefore safety on the whole are major benefits for glider pilots.
Performance
The lighter weight and in turn improved performance are two further benefits of the PSR Jet System compared with bulkier and heavier piston engines. The engine has a virtually constant thrust throughout the gliders speed range. The PSR Jet System produces less in-cockpit noise and is totally free of vibration during operation.
Innovation
Another important advantage that the PSR Jet System can deliver is certainly the light weight of the whole system, including the retraction mechanism, a fraction of current glider auxiliary engines thus retaining the performance of the sailplane.
The electronic control unit will make the engine start and stop easy, just by turning a switch. Engine operation, including start, running and stop is managed entirely by the engine control unit.
Retrofit
New sailplanes can be equipped with the PSR Jet System and it is also possible to retrofit sailplanes with this system.
Installation feasibility studies are available upon request.