LS8-st - the LS8-s with the new engine
At the AERO 2005, Rainer Rose (OLC initiator and chairman) was handed over the first LS8-s Turbo entirely built at DG Flugzeugbau. There are major differences between the new LS8-s and the LS8 that was built at Rolladen-Schneider.
The improvements between the former LS8 to the new LS8-s have already been described and shall only be specified in short:
- reinforced wing structure for a higher MTOW of 575 kg in the 18m version
- comfortable, spring mounted and larger 5” retractable gear for easier ground handling
- side carpeting with integrated pocket
- battery boxes underneath the seat - this gives more space in the luggage compartment
- canopy cover and funnels for water ballasting
- improved finish to what LS-pilots were used to
- options for:
- Leather interior
- NOAH-Emergency exit assist system
- Solar-panel (either affixed to the top of the fuselage or embedded)
- Polyurethane paint
A new feature is the engine system which we completely reengineered, due to the intended hydraulics system which turned out not to be very sufficient after a series of failures. A new retraction mechanism based on the approved spindle drive was fitted- similar but smaller than the one in the DG-1000T.
And of course, the engine control now is “DG-like” and almost fully automatic with the new DEI-NT (“simply flying”). The difference to the controller in the DG-808C solely is the inexistent stall- and gear-warning, but we might offer it as an option at a later date.
Anyone who wants to acquire the LS8-st in two steps has the opportunity to buy the plane “engine prepared”, i.e. the engine mount is already laminated to the fuselage, although it remains invisible from the outside. Later, the engine box will be cut open and the engine as well as the hatches will be fitted. This way is slightly higher in price than a direct order but might still be an attractive option for some customers.
For our customers with the previously fitted hydraulics system, we also offer a conversion to the electrically powered system. Otherwise, after using the last remaining hydraulics systems up, maintenance would no longer be possible on the old system.
- friedel weber - 
Deploying and retracting the engine in a video clip
Our design engineer wrote:
Hello Friedel,
A student apprentice borrowed me a r/c-model camera to make some pictures of a powered flight with the LS8-st. You’ll find the results attached to this e-mail.
The quality is not the optimum, but you can clearly see how easily the engine fires during the start-up sequence. Since the LS8-st has no starter fitted, one has to “dive-start” the engine, but as you can see, it is not as dramatic as people often say.
Also, it is very nice to see how the retraction automatic works. First, the engine is retracted a bit to expose the prop to less airstream until it has almost come to a stop.
Then, the DEI continues to run in the engine until the propeller brake grips. As soon as the prop runs into the rubber brake pad it is detected by a sensor and hereupon the engine is entirely retracted.
Thus: shut off the ignition, wait and don’t fly to fast! The rest happens automatically.
And here is the video.
Don’t get irritated by the clockwise and the again slowly counter clockwise rotating prop- this is just a delusion by the stroboscope effect of the camera.
Deploying and retracting the engine of a LS8-st (6,63 MB)
Translation: Justus Schiedek-Jacht 
Retrofit of the LS8b to the LS8-st
In the meantime we started with the retrofit of the suitable prepared LS8b to become the LS8-st. We can install the bigger main weel (as an option), the wing extension up to 18m wing span and above all the new engine system.
The retrofit of the remaining LS8b can be done in winter next year.
