Alisport Silent 2 - Almost Affordable Motorgliding

I like ridiculous flying machines. Bonus marks go to any designs that feature spinning propellers right behind the pilot's head. Alisport Srl was founded near Milan, Italy to manufacture sailplanes. They've since expanded to produce a line of short-takeoff aircraft and propellers.

The Silent series of sailplanes is available in three configurations: engineless, gasoline powered self-launch, or electric self-launch. Their top model is the Silent 2 Targa, with a 13.3 meter wingspan.  Power for self-launching comes from a 28 bhp single cylinder 2-stroke engine behind the cockpit. It retracts once airborne to minimize drag. The aircraft has a glide ratio of up to 40:1, making it a fairly potent performer.

And -- if you're of the tree-hugger persuasion -- you can add solar panels to the electric model that will charge the battery between launches.

Alisport sailplanes and self-launchers