Help getting into sailplanes.

[GremlinX]

How hard is a hi-start to operate and how expensive are they? I was looking at motor gliders, but I think the real performance comes from a non powered glider. Seems to be lighter and just more aerodynamic. Is it a difficult thing to learn? Thanks. Keith

PS_ Are there any vids of a sailplane hi-starting on the web? I can't find them.

[Uncle Brett]

If you're talking about a bungie type of high start, they're really easy to use. You can buy them already made up for you or you can make your own. Both will run you around $30 - $50. All you need then is a ply plate inside the bottom of your plane just slightly forward of CG and an L shaped hook that bolts through the plate. You can buy the hook at most LHS.
You hook the ring on top of the parachute of the High start, walk back to stretch the bungie and let her go. The plane will have a tendency to drift one way or the other on launch so a little rudder correction will be necessary. Once the plane is at its pinnacle, give it some down and then up to help the ring on the High start slide off the hook on the plane. That's it, easy.
If you're talking about a winch system, well, that's a different story, they can get pretty expensive.

[GremlinX]

How hi will a HiStart get one? Pending it is used and stretched like it should be and the launch goes well? Thanks.

[wizard]

A good ride on a high start will give you about a 500 ft launch. That's with a decent sail plane and a 450 ft high start.

The average high start is 100 ft of surgical tubing and 350 feet of mono filament line.

[rede2fly]

hey grim give it a try, you will enjoy it. it will make you a better pilot and youll never fear a dead stick ever again. it will teach you a lot about wind and the affects it has over the planes we fly. well i could go on and on. lets just say i like my sailplanes. you can get a good intro plane for around 100 bucks. that would give you a full house. ie all controls.

[wizard]

If you are looking for something to get your feet wet, look at this one.

2 channel, comes with upstart (small high start) for $60. I have one and have really enjoyed it. I also use it to do some slope soaring on the rare days that the wind is right for the one good hill in the area. I have had 30 min. flights with it.

[pitviper51]

hi, sorry i didnt find this sooner, if you looking for the easyest way to get to launch glider with out all the walking around and settign up the lines,( just like real ones, rc gliders involve ground work) iv histarted my spirit 2m and the launch is reasonalbe, easy to control,, after winching up 40+ time in the real ones histarts come easy, but the trick is to not over correct and keep smooth control expo helps.. tho i would recomend the alula handlaunch glider for ease of use and all purpose take anywhere flying, the flying times are low but many. some of the DLGs arnt very cool and you dont have to walk as far.. best thing is check you local area for steep hills that get wind head on,, if so try sloping,,, if you have any questions just ask, heres a few pics from the ancor histarting my 3m
mike
ps, my signature has link to the alula

[pitviper51]

heres a few histart vids,, this 4 m really should be winched,, that start barel had the ooomf to do it,,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-sYXc9gbUE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNiue2VtaKw

real deal here,, ohh the memories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGLKV...related&search=

and the view i use to get
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnZnoMAUBlE

enjoy, hope you get hooked like i did
mike

[GremlinX]

I am thinking more and more that the motor glider would be easier, the real performance is in the non powered flight. WEIGHT seems to be the real way to go, nice and light loading.

[sailing1]

You might look into an Easy Glider by Multiplex. It is very good powered sailplane for about $170 all up except for battery and receiver. Has rudder, elevator and alerons so you get to work a little when flying but they fly real good. Oh yea, they are foam so pretty rugged. They thermal quite nicely and you can upgrade to brushless and lipo to really get some good flying time in.

[50%PITTS]

hey Gremlin, I used to compete in the NATS for gliders and sailplanes F3b and 2 meter. For both they use a contraption called a winch..... its basicly an electric motor connected to a 12v car battery and has small nylon rope or string strung about 400 feet into the wind then around a pully on a rod stuck in the ground and then back to the winch. The winch has a foot pedal to operate it.... Much easier than a high start by far but much more expensive set up here is a link for where you can buy a kit for a winch http://www.mgertech.com/COMET-WINCHES.htm gliders and sailplanes can be alot more fun and challenging than some people give them credit for it is very tricky to find a thermal and keep the sail plane in the air for over 2 hours but when you are able to do that you got it down! BTW... a winch will launch you approx. 300 feet -400 feet higher than a highstart!

[pitviper51]

the winch is nice.. but really unless you have a few ppl to help they can be a hassel, im thinking a 2+ meter brushless powered ship would be your best bet,, the choices are endless only thing to decide on is a budget.. check out
www.soarusa.com

mike