I came across this in Challis the other day, it's pilot claimed to be "just barnstorming around," he was out of S Cal I believe. Neat plane, Rotax powered, 28 to 1 glide, with 26 gallons of fuel and a decent sized baggage area. Euro made, didn't get a name, all CF. His first powered aircraft of any sort, and also first t dragger, all his flying had earlier been in pure sail planes. One very interesting feature, was it's mechanical adjustable pitch prop, he just reached in the cockpit and pulled or pushed the control, simple.

Diamond HK36 Super Dimona Motor Glider? I'm a bit familiar with the tail-dragger configuration, but it looks like they may have offered it in tri-gear also.

-DP

https://phoenixairusa.com/

This is what it is. Cool flying machine!

Kurt

That's it, I couldn't recall it's name or I would have linked to it, thanks. I want one...

Anyone know what the cost is? Looks very cool!

That's a friend of mine Doug Levy out of San Diego. He said he paid $100k (2010 model) for that one. A new one with A/P is about $200k he says. Looks like he's been flying it since 4/19. He's got about a gazillion hours in a Schweizer 1-26 which is about same L/D. Same fun + without the dependency of the tow plane. Self launch, go to the lift shut off, soar till you run out of lift or bladder space.

I wonder how it soars with the short wings? Looks like it could be a good traveler with the short wings. Sure does look fun. I like the visibility.

Kurt

I talked to him a bit about that bird this morning. He says the canopy transmits quite a bit of sun-lite that's why he put the shade in it helps quite a bit. He fly's it 15m (full length flaperons) said it doesn't thermal as good as the 1-26 but it's still alot of fun. The finish is crazing quite a bit and he's looking for a place to refinish it.

He was having a good time it looked like, made me a bit jealous!

My reason for being there was work related, one of my crane's stabilizer pad attach brackets had broken off a month earlier on the 3 hour drive there, I was off loading some equipment for a rock crusher being setup to refinish the runway there. Long story short, went back up there, flew and drove both, looking for it on the side of the road, no joy. Ordered a new one, $640.00, when my local reward notices brought no luck. Then 2 weeks after getting the replacement, I got a call from someone who found it, and absolutely refused to take my $250.00 reward. Good thing I love the drive to Challis, and the flight.