Sail plane chunking!

[flsnider]

Anybody just throwing their sail plane into the air and flying it? I can't throw a DLG and towing is out of the question,so there! Leon

[sailing1]

Throwing one up is pretty hard to do unless you have a good slope to soar off of. Not many of those around my part of the country. One fairly easy option is to use a High Start which is simple and doesn't cost much. Another option is to use an electric powered sail plane like the Easy Glider which is a pretty good starter sail plane for not a lot of money.

[Kiwi]

I just purchased a Cularis and all I can say about that thing is WOW. For a foamy its an engineering masterpiece.

The reason I got it is that one I doubt I can throw them hard enough to get any height and if I get a good shot at sloping with it then if I stuff up I can at least try to bring it back. (its electric obviously) In this neck of the woods to good slope areas just happen to be over the ocean.

[Judge]

Electric!! I just some new packs for my trusty 3.1 meter molded Graphite F5J plane. Hacker B50FAI (CF can), 100 Hacker ESC, near vertical climb. 82 ounces all up.

WAAAY easier than chucking the DLG or messing with a hi start or winch!! And once the power is off, it flies just like my regular TD plane.

http://www.fvk.de/Englisch/Graphite%20GFK-CFK.html

[Kiwi]

Judge,

With a little bit of trickery you easily power these guys as well and for the price I have no idea how they do it. Or should I say did it. Out od stock and I bet you wont see that price again.

http://www.nitroplanes.com/4vedi4marfgi.html

[Judge]

I have both a 4.3M ASW and a 6M ASH-26. Those are strictly aerotow or slope. You have not lived until you watch your 20 foot span, 26 pound masterpiece of glass and design get chucked off a 300 foot cliff and drop out of sight!!! Then it hits the lift band and comes soaring back up. But a thrill none the less.

[Kiwi]

Bill,

So what your saying is you chuck it and then there is a strong clamping sensation until it rises up above you and you know its going to come back right???

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Kiwi
	Bill, So what your saying is you chuck it and then there is a strong clamping sensation until it rises up above you and you know its going to come back right???

Zacklee!!!

[MadMonkey]

I just picked up a .60 size Decathlon that will be serving as a "glider hauler" for me... I bought an older Hangar 9 sailplane carrier that straps onto the top of the wing and has a servo release. Should make for some interesting flying

I'm also going to use it to launch EDF's and other electrics

[flsnider]

I guess it's electric. Oh,well. I thought of electric but I wanted to go "no power". Leon

[Kiwi]

Leon.

Unless your throwing it off a slope or cliff there's really not a lot of options to get some decent height. The rubber bungee is the cheapest by far and if your in a good area for a few thermals then you might be in for a ride.

The electric winch is expensive and to my mind not something you want to setup up everyday on your own.

The third option is a tug and that's what I hope to get into in a little while. I love those 4 plus meter beauties and to fit anything electric to them is a sacrilege. So your stuck with a winch or a tug to launch them if your a flat land man.

Where I live in the North we have some of the worlds best slopes. Its famous for the hang glider guys and para sails. But down south its flatter than a squashed skunk on a highway but heck does it thermal like crazy there. Thats where I want t try the big thermal glider. I just need a good mate who wants a good sized 1/3 rd scale piper cub who likes to fly the same days I do.

[pitviper51]

id go electric.. but if you want to stay pure the histarts arent to bad,, but check your area for steep clear windy slopes, slope flying is so much fun!
mike

[flsnider]

I fly at AMA 100,Morris,AL,just north of Birmingham,Al. There is a small slope but I don't think it's adequate. Electric,it is! Leon

[wizard]

Back in the early 80's I did get to see someone that could fly his sailplane by just giving it a toss out over a blacktop road on level ground. He would just give it an easy toss and fly for hours. Of course he was also one of the top sailplane pilots in the country. I saw several others try to do the same and get 15 second flights. I guess what I'm saying is that it is possible but not for the average sailplane pilot.

[Flyfalcons]

On a bigger sailplane the chances are good that you'll need the weight of an electric setup up front to balance anyway. Unless you're building some work of art like a LET, I just say hack the nose off and electrify it. That's what I did with my 4M Discus and it is a real joy to fly. Another benefit is you can get really long flights even if there's no lift out, or you're like me and just stink at finding lift.