This glider packs a jet engine for quick launches

Getting a glider into the air normally involves finding someone with a
powered plane who's willing to give you a tow. Is it cheating if you
bolt on a tiny jet engine to get you airborne?













Self-launching gliders have been growing in popularity, but most use a
small electric or piston engine. Now in move guaranteed to satisfy
hot-rodders everywhere, a New Mexico company called Desert Aerospace has
fitted a glider with a tiny jet engine.

Both the glider
and the jet engine are made in the Czech Republic, and the tiny 45-lb
turbine provides 240-lbs of thrust to get you airborne at more than 900
feet per minute. Once you reach your chosen altitude, the engine folds
into the fuselage and nobody will know that you're packing some extra
power.

Desert Aerospace has flown a prototype of the new powered launch glider, but no word yet on price or availability.

I lol'd so hard. When I first glanced at the photo I was like WTF as it looked as though it was a giant glider and pilot beside a minivan.

Haha.