How does the power harness affect the flight characteristics of the glider?
Due to the extra components (engine, drives, shaft, propeller, battery), the power harness will be heavier than a comparable unpowered harness. The higher weight will translate into higher speeds at all angles of attack. Higher stall speed is the main concern. The pilot should also consult the glider manual paying special attention to maximum load.
The weight in a power harness is distributed further aft. When the power harness pilot clips into the glider, he will notice that the basetube will be further aft than in his conventional unpowered harness. This is due to the aft distribution of weight in the power harness. The pilot must understand that the displacement of the basetube to a further aft position will make it possible for the pilot to push the basetub further forward relative to trim. As all hang glider pilots know, pushing out past the critical angle of attack will cause the glider to stall. A pilot must be aware that with a power harness, the bar position (relative to the pilot) will be further aft and so the pilot should not fly by placing the bar in its normal position as experienced in an unpowered configuration but, rather, he should fly proper airspeed for the load regardless of bar position.
Other than the high speeds and changes to bar position, the glider will fly similarly to an unpowered configuration. Because the bar is further aft, may need to expend extra effort when in takeoff and landing mode to place his arms,hands behind the downtubes. By the same token, flare authority is enhanced by the aft bar position.
In flight, other than the bar position issue discussed above, the pilot will notice little difference in handling from an unpowered configuration.