october, 2002 - rc soaring.com“weasel” and “mini weasel” the weasel is a 36" span epp...
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1October 2002
October, 2002Vol. 19, No. 10
U.S.A. $3.50
R/C Soaring DigestPage 2
ABOUT RCSD
R/C Soaring Digest (RCSD) is a reader-written monthly publication for the R/C
sailplane enthusiast and has been publishedsince January, 1984. It is dedicated to sharingtechnical and educational information. Allmaterial contributed must be exclusive andoriginal and not infringe upon the copyrightsof others. It is the policy of RCSD to provideaccurate information. Please let us know ofany error that significantly affects themeaning of a story. Because we encouragenew ideas, the content of all articles, modeldesigns, press & news releases, etc., are theopinion of the author and may notnecessarily reflect those of RCSD. Weencourage anyone who wishes to obtainadditional information to contact the author.RCSD was founded by Jim Gray, lecturerand technical consultant.
RCSD should not be considered to endorseany advertised products or messagespertaining hereto. An advertising rate card isavailable for businesses, and clubs.
Feature ColumnistsBill & Bunny Kuhlman (B2),
Lee Murray, Tom Nagel, Mark Nankivil,Dave Register, Steve Savoie, Jerry Slates,
Greg Smith, Gordy Stahl
ArtworkGene Zika is the graphic artist
who designs the unique ZIKA clip art.
RCSD StaffJerry Slates - Editor/Technical EditorJudy Slates - Managing Editor, SubscriptionsLee Murray - RCSD Index/Database
(available on-line)Bill & Bunny Kuhlman - RCSD Web Masters
PayPal Coordinators
Copyright © 2002 R/C Soaring Digest.All rights reserved.
R/C Soaring Digest556 Funston Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95407phone: (707) 578-7871
e-mail: [email protected]://www.b2streamlines.com/RCSD.html
OTHER GOOD STUFF
19 Classified Ads - New Products 3 Schedule of Special Events
Monthly Feature Photography & Web Version of the Printed Article (where appropriate)Highlights & Mailing Status of the Current IssueAbout RCSD..................................................................................... Subscription Information...................................................Advertising Rate Card (Adobe Acrobat PDF format).............................................RCSD Feature Columnists, Reporters, and Editors....................... (E-mail/web addresses, plus general information about their areas of interest)"Getting Started in RC Soaring" ........ Getting started guide - Adobe Acrobat PDF formatLinks to Organizations, Special Interest Groups & ClubsOn-Line Articles - Great articles originally written for the printed version of RCSD......................................... "Trimming Your Sailplane for Optimum Performance" by Brian Agnew.................................................................................................. "Flys Faster" by Dr. Michael Selig.............................. "The Square-Cube Law and Scaling for RC Sailplanes" by Dr. Michael Selig.................................. "Modifying & Building the MB Raven (Parts 1-4)" by Bill & Bunny Kuhlman............................................................. "Butterfly and Moth Airbrushing Tutorial" by Joedy DruliaBookshelf Listings - A listing of recently published books of interest to aeromodelers.Complete RCSD Index, 1984-2001
RCSD ON THE WEBhttp://www.b2streamlines.com/RCSD.html
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 "Soaring Site" ....................................................................................... Judy SlatesEditorial ............................................................................................................... Gift Giving Ideas
4 Gift Giving Ideas ..................................................................................RCSD Team................................................................................................................ Edited by Dave Register
10 "On The Wing..." ....................................................................... Bill & Bunny KuhlmanFlying Wing Design & Analysis .................................................................. The Howe Farm Hawk
12 "Gordy's Travels" .................................................................................. Gordy StahlVario/Altimeter Review ..................................................................................... How High is High?................................................................................................................ The ELV Vario/Altimeter
15 Funny Story .............................................................................................. Paul Cox.......................................................................................... Slope Hunting, In the Hills of Kentucky
16 "Uncle Sydney's Gossip" ............................................................... Sydney LenssenBMFA F3J News ........................................................................................ Ranting After Lappeen.................................................................................................... Finland Recap and F3J's Future
14 Ackerman Aircraft14 Aerospace Composite Products3 B2 Streamlines15 Cavazos Sailplane Design
Special Interest Groups19 Eastern Soaring League (ESL)19 International Scale Soaring Assoc.19 League of Silent Flight19 Sailplane Homebuilders Association19 T.W.I.T.T.19 Vintage Sailplane Association
Advertiser Index
Page 3October 2002
TheSoaring
Site
Happy Flying!Judy Slates
Gift Giving Ideas
Well, we all know it’s that time ofyear when folks like to share in
the Christmas spirit and do a littleChristmas shopping trying to figureout (or having figured out) just exactlywhat their recipient would really liketo receive. (Of course, there are alwaysthose that buy for themselves thinking,no doubt, that if they like it, everyoneelse is supposed to like it, too!) So, ifyou’d like to be able to give someoneideas, you’ll find some handy sugges-tions by Dave Register in this issue ofRCSD in an article entitled “GiftGiving Ideas.”
And, these ideas are also handy tokeep around when your birthday orother special occasion dates arriveduring the year!
My thanks to all the RCSD Team folksthat submitted ideas, and to Dave
Merry Christmas!
The cover of this issuewas created by Gene
Zika, Las Cruces, NewMexico.SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL
EVENTS
February 1-2, 2003Southwest Classic Phoenix, AZ
March 15-16, 2003The Classic Mid-Winter Southern CaliforniaTorrey Pines Vintage Sailplane Regattahttp://www.agcsc.org
October 10-11, 2003Texas National Tournament (TNT) Dallas, TXwww.SLNT.org
Register for volunteering to compile,coordinate, and edit this special articleon “Gift Giving Ideas.” BTW (by theway), he’s still recovering at home, soif you get what you really want underthe tree, thanks to Dave, be sure todrop him a note so he’ll consider doingthe volunteering again, next year!
And, to all of you a very Merry Christ-mas to each of you and yours! May2003 be a year that all of us can lookforward to and enjoy!
Please send in yourscheduled 2003 events
as they become available!
R/C Soaring DigestPage 4
Ahh, the holiday seasons are uponus at last. It’s a time for rejoicing
with both spiritual and communityspirit. With all that this old world hasbeen through this year sometimes itmakes you wonder. But we’re still hereand there are lots of things for whichto be thankful. And that spirit spillsover into the joy of exchanging giftswith family and friends.
For those in the modeling hobby, itreminds one of the argyle socks fromAunt Em, the new leather wallet orpurse from the significant other andmaybe the glorious colors of thatpaisley tie or scarf from the kids. Andall the while you’re having this guiltylittle thought, “Gee I wish I had a coupleof new servos...”
Well folks, RCSD’s columnists are hereto help again. And all you need are:this edition, a magic marker, and alittle subtlety in leaving this article in aplace of convenient reading for thosenear and dear to you. (Hint - in ourhousehold that’s the wicker towelhamper next to the upstairs toilet!)
Polling our columnists has led to a listof ideas you might want to consider.They range from planes to electronicsto shop things, a little bit of somethingto fit most budgets. They reflect theinterests of the submitters but there area lot of good ideas in here so read onand maybe pencil something in aroundthe borders if we’ve missed yourfavorite item.
But whatever you do, have a safe andjoyous holiday season. Best Wishesfrom the gang at RCSD!
From All of us!
Of course, our very first idea is a giftsubscription to RCSD. Go on-line fordetails and convenient access. Followthe subscriptions link. Payable on-line(Pay-Pal) or by mail:http://www.b2streamlines.com/RCSD.html
Bill and Bunny Kuhlman(B2 Streamlines):
1) Richter R/C Aircraft Design“Weasel” and “mini Weasel”
The Weasel is a 36" span EPP tailless‘ship for slope combat and fun flying.It is at the same time both very maneu-verable and quite forgiving. The kitincludes EPP wings and fuselage, balsaelevons, Coroplast fin, tape for cover-ing, and a full hardware package.Other than the usual tools and glues,all that’s needed to complete the kitsome filament packing tape, twoservos (Hitec HS-81 or similar), minireceiver (we’re using an FMA M5) anda 270 mah battery pack. Total weightof the completed air frame is 10 - 13ounces, and with a wing area of 375in2 the loading is very low. Price of theWeasel is US$50 plus shipping.
The mini Weasel has a span of just 24inches. Completed weight is just 3.8 to4.5 ounces, and the wing area is 168in2. Based on the Weasel, the miniWeasel is extremely maneuverable andalso very transportable. It’s a greatairplane for flying in tight spaces. Thekit includes EPP wings and fuselage,Zepron fin and elevons, roll of tape,plus a full hardware package. Addinga 50 - 150 mah battery pack, two microservos (Cirrus CS-10bb or MPI MX-30)and a micro receiver (Cirrus MRX-4 orFMA M5) gives an airplane you can flyon the slope in light lift or thermal overa flat field. Price is US$35 plus ship-ping.
Richter R/C Aircraft Design1250 Northridge Rd.
Santa Barbara CA 93105(805) 687-4435
www.flyweasel.com
from The RCSD Team
Compiled and Edited by Dave RegisterBartlesville, Oklahoma
Gift Giving IdeasFor the Sailplane Enthusiast
Zika
Page 5October 2002
2) Small tools
Micro-Mark has a catalog of hundredsof small electric and hand tools. Pricesrange from under a dollar to severalhundred dollars. Sale catalogs comeout several times per year with eitherreduced prices or free shipping.
Micro-Mark340 Snyder Avenue
Berkeley Heights NJ 07922-1595(800) 225-1066
www.micromark.com
3) Solingen razor plane
Speaking of small tools, the one smalltool which we recommend everyonehave in their possession is a true razorplane. These are of cast aluminumalloy and use a double edge razorblade. These planes can be set up totake off slices of balsa wood which arecompletely transparent. Uses includeshaping balsa leading edges, smooth-ing rib surfaces, and putting a trailingedge taper on 1/16th inch sheet balsa.Brands we have are WIL-KRO-PRODand Little Giant. Look for these atgarage sales and antique shops. Pricesrange from ten cents upward, depend-ing on source. The double edge razorblade these planes use is just too thinto use on spruce or other dense woods.A Solingen (Germany) FIX plane orsimilar should be used for this sort ofwork. The Solingen razor plane isavailable from Hobby Lobby:
Sollingen Balsa Planer $ 9.40Spare Blades For Planer $ 5.20.
www.hobby-lobby.com
4) Receivers, servosand extension cables
As the computing power of transmit-ters increases, the number of models asingle transmitter can hold in memoryis increasing. A single transmitter cannow be set up to handle eight or moremodels, each with their own receiverand complement of servos. Addition-ally, high performance models nowuse six or more servos - four in thewing plus two more to actuate tailsurfaces. If you have a transmitter andthe eight models to fill its memorybanks, you also have as many as eightreceivers and 48 servos. While youmay be able to switch receivers be-tween aircraft, switching servos on thefield is a lot more problematic. As
Bunny is fond of saying, “You cannever have too many servos.” Be sureto check out servocity.com. Servocitycarries Hitec and Futaba products -everything from receivers to servos toextension cables. Not only areservocity prices low, they always shipfor free!
http://www.servocity.com
5) Plans
Looking for an easily built airplane asa project for your son or daughter?How ‘bout a unique scale sailplane?Looking for something to convert toelectric? Old time free flight yourinterest? Harry Volk’s Cirrus Aviationis a wonderful source of plans. Pricesstart at US$3.00, shipping included.Prices are in US$ and Visa andMasterCard are accepted.
Cirrus AviationP.O. Box 1375
Nanton Alberta T0L 1R0, Canada(403) 646-1188
You can find the Cirrus Aviation on-line catalog at:
www.telusplanet.net/public/H_bvolk/
6) Winches and winch parts
The Winch Doctor produces Real Ballsmachined aluminum end caps for theFord long shaft motors we use on ourwinches. These end caps are finned forexceptional cooling and have real ballbearings installed. These are the bestthing for winches since Ford startedbuilding the long shaft motors! TheWinch Doctor also has replacementbrush sets and beautiful machined andanodized turnarounds for sale. RealBalls finned end caps are US$250,replacement brush sets start at US$10,really cool turnarounds are US$80. Besure to visit the Winch Doctor web siteand check out the beautiful completewinches (US$950) and winch drums(US$200) which are also available.:
www.monkeytumble.com/winchdoc/index.htm
7) Adjustable tow hooks
We’ve really missed the originalAirtronics adjustable tow hooks. Thoseare the ones which use an L-shapedhook and two locking nuts within a
machined aluminum channel. Luckily,a replacement is now being carried byGeorge Voss and Soaring Specialties.The new channel is two inches longand gives an adjustable travel of 1.5inches. A much stronger tow hook is awelcome improvement. Price is threesets for US$28.00.
George Voss1403 Lincolnshire Rd
Oklahoma City OK 73159(405) 692-1122
between 9 AM and 9 PM Central timehttp://www.soaringspecialties.com
DFR’s Note:
For the bookshelf, check out the B2website for an excellent selection ofbooks on design, soaring history andhumor. Something here for everymodeler’s taste and education duringthe long winter ahead. Better hurry! Ifyou noted their ad in this issue, they’rediscontinuing the sales of all theirbooks the end of this year.
http://www.b2streamlines.comP.O. Box 975 WA 98359-0975 USA
Mark Nankivil suggests:
1) The books “Sailplanes1920-1945” & “Sailplanes1945-1965” by MartinSimons
Books are always a great way to thinkthrough and dream about future scalesailplane projects. I’m promisingmyself to get a scale aerotow sailplaneready and flying in the 2003 seasonand what better way to get the creativejuices flowing then a good book toread and peruse on a cold Winter’snight here in the Midwest?! The booksare available from Raul Blacksten withthe Vintage Soaring Association, P.O.Box 307, Maywood, California, 90270:
e-mail: [email protected]
2) Multiplex Milan Sailplane
I have toyed with obtaining a newlarge thermal sailplane for the comingyear and have really liked the looks ofthe Milan. The price is pretty reason-able too, especially when comparedagainst the molded ships on themarket today. I’m not into head tohead competition flying like in yearspast but still want to be able to take on
R/C Soaring DigestPage 6
the best at the contests I do fly in. TheMilan is available from:
Hobby ClubP.O. Box 6004
San Clemente, California, 92674949/425-1362
www.hobbyclub.com
3) Manta-Ray & BD-5
Cavazos Sailplane Designs has acouple of models that catch my eye.First off is the Manta-Ray, a big 76"span EPP slope flying wing. It’d be funto outsize some of the other EPP flyingwings on the slope. CSD also have agreat looking slope scale/electricpowered BD-5 model. With a fiber-glass fuselage and foam core wings,this looks like a very nice model to findunder the tree on Christmas morning.
Cavazos Sailplane Designs909/485-0674
www.rcglider.com
4) Radio Carbon Art’s Videos
Two of their latest releases, “EndlessLift 3” and “Secrets of Thermal Soar-ing,” look to be the perfect videos topop into the VCR when it’s too coldand windy outside to fly.
Radio Carbon ArtP.O. Box 2311, Corvallis, Oregon,
97339541/752-9661
www.radiocarbonart.com
Dave Garwood likes:
1) Hangar 9 AeroPeak fieldcharger
We have many field chargers availablebut this little gem has three sterlingadvantages: AC/DC operation, lowcost, and simple operation. It receivespower from both 120 AC volt housecurrent as well as a 12 volt DC carbattery. It has only two buttons (select1 amp or 4 amp charge rate, and start)and no programming needed, and it’sinexpensive. It’s designed to charge a4-5 cell receiver battery pack at oneamp, and a 6-7 cell motor pack at 4amps. I’ve been using one for aboutfour months with excellent perfor-mance and no problems - not even ablown fuse. Hangar 9 AeroPeak fieldcharger Horizon Hobby $39.99:
www.horizonhobby.com
2) Hitec Focus III Single StickAM radio set & Hitec FocusIII Single Stick FM radio set
An extension of the successful single-stick Focus II transmitter, the Focus IIIegonomically designed 3-channeltransmitters add a proportional thirdchannel for motor speed control, andmixing (CHs 1 and 2) for elevon or V-tail. This makes the transmitter anexcellent fit for flying-wing slopeplanes (which need elevon mixing) aswell as electric aircraft. They come insets with receiver and choice of servos.The AM version needs alkaline batter-ies or an aftermarket Ni-Cad batteriesand wall charger upgrade; the FMversion comes with Ni-Cads and wallcharger.
(DFR note - go for the NiCd FMversion with the double tuned re-ceiver. The Feather Rx is neat forindoors but will have range/interfer-ence problems when flying with agroup out doors.)
Hitec Focus III Single Stick AM radioset $74.99 & Hitec Focus III Single StickFM radio set $84.99:
www.hitecrcd.com
3) FMS R/C flight simulator
(DNR note - Dave recently sent anote about RC flight simulators and, inparticular, a new one out there that’sfreeware but may require someaccessories and other low cost items.There are different versions of theprogram available. Dave is using FMSver 2.0 beta 7, and the planes need tobe made for that version to run with-out problems.)
A computer RC flight simulator cancome in handy when training a newpilot, or for entertaining yourself whensnow is falling outside. There are fouror so commercial RC flight simsavailable, and FMS Flying ModelSimulator can be downloaded for free.There are several developers in severalcountries working on the sim andmaking planes for it. At least 200planes are downloadable, includingwell-known models, warbirds, jets,and a Pterodon. Gliders are supportedincluding winch launch, hand launch,and slope. I’ve spent three days withthe program, flying from the keyboardwhile waiting for my connector cable
to arrive to fly with a transmitter. TheFMS program is available from:
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html
Matt Clement makes the cables ($21),and his site links to more than a dozensites where planes can be downloaded.Tom Nagel also highlighted the SIMand Matts cables but notes that theFMS program des not appear to becompatible with Windows XP:
http://fms1.mattclement.com\
One of the most prolific plane develop-ers is:
http://homepage2.nifty.com/logic_wizard/fms_e.htm
Gordy Stahl proposes:
1) EPP wing
Cool cheap and easy to build EPPwing - maybe try out the Highlandermentioned a bit further down thisarticle.
Page 7October 2002
2) Fun Electric RTF
(DFR note: For a very simple andaffordable entry level two channelpolyhedral ship, the Electron 400 fromNE Sailplane looks really good($149.95). To complete the package, aSpeed 400 system is available for anadditional $94.95. This is a pre-built,pre-covered plane with a gel coatedfiberglass fuselage. It’s polyhedral,rudder/elevator. The Hitec 3 channelworks great in this plane.
www:/nesail.com
Tom Nagels suggests:
1) Stocking Stuffers:
Cyanoacrylate assortmentthin, medium, thick.
A six pack of rolls ofBlenderm medical tape,one of the best hingetapes going.
A dispenser pack ofexacto #11 blades.
A couple of spray cans ofM-77, because these aregoing to be collectoritems soon.
2) Mid-range gifts
Dremel tool accessories: drill press,router, flex drive, assorted bits andbuffers and stones.
3) Sirius Pro charger
Or, if he’s already got a Sirius Charger,a 110 volt to 12 volt power source so hecan use the Sirius charger on the workbench.
4) Transmitter case
5) The Ultimate Hat
Very stylish, durable and sun-protec-tive. Floats, too.
6) Gift Certificates
A really flexible way to provide somefun for the modeler in the family.Many of the mail order places men-tioned will supply these. In particular,North East Sailplane Products sells giftcertificates and has a very diversecatalog:
www:nesail.com
Dave Registers ideas include:
1) Radio Stuff/Accessories
To complement your umpteen modelmemory transmitter, any of the doubletuned FM receivers from FMA Directare great. Prices range from $45 to $90(less crystal). I’ve personally used theExtreme 5 for DLG and the Quantum 8for open class. Mail order only fromFMA Direct:
www.fmadirect.com
Hitec RCD has an excellent reputationin after market equipment. The 555receiver is one of the most popular outthere and the new Super 8 is gettinggood reviews. See the Hitec website forinformation. These units are usuallysold retail at local shops or retail mailorder:
www.hitecrcd.com
Accessories:
- Of the fast chargers out there I alsolike the Sirius series of portable Tx/Rxchargers. These are very reasonablypriced, work great and also includeinformation on how to wire around thereverse polarity diodes in Tx chargingcircuits that were popular a few yearsago. Sold in some hobby shops or attheir website. I personally use a SiriusPro ($129.95) and the Sirius 100 ($49.95for DLG batteries) and they’ve beenextremely reliable. Flange up anaccessory cable from Radio Shack forthe cigarette lighter in your car andyou’ve got a great field charger:
www.siriuselectronics.com/
- There are a great many batteryanalyzer/charger systems now avail-able, typically in the $100 or higherrange. These are essential tools forkeeping your batteries in good shape. Iuse the FMA Einstein (now discontin-ued but available on close out at FMA)but there are newer and better versionsfrom FMA, Hitec and Hobbico to namea few. In particular, the new FMASUPERNOVA 250S Fast Cycler looksvery good. It can discharge and rapidcharge from 1 to 25 cells from a+12VDC supply such as a car batteryor your field box battery. The superfeature is that the user can store thecycle parameters for up to 10 differentbattery packs in memory. The battery
Zika
R/C Soaring DigestPage 8
discharge capacity is presented on anLCD display. Recommended Accesso-ries: One 201BCB cable that is a 9",2.5mm barrel cable to two bananaplugs; and a 501MC Versatile Adapterthat will allow interface of mostpopular radio equipment via the abovecable. PS2-12US to connect the FC700to your AC wall outlet for use in yourshop. ~ $130 at the FMA web site:
www.fmadirect.com
- For those flying DLG and looking fora good single axis piezogyro at areasonable price ($50), I can highlyrecommend the GWS at Todds Mod-els. It weighs only 7.0 grams (.247 oz.)including a plastic injection case. Forsome critical applications such asindoor slow flyers, the plastic case canbe removed that makes its actualweight just 4.8 grams. Go to Todds siteand follow the link to servos:
http://www.toddsmodels.com/
2) Plane
For beginners its hard to go wrongwith the Highlander 2M. (NoteGordy’s suggestion for a good, cheapEPP wing!) The Highlander is acomplete kit which includes all EPPfoam parts, leading and trailing edgesand all hardware as well as a detailedinstruction manual that shows both thepolyhedral rudder and elevator setupand the dihedral aileron wing. Aperfect match for the Focus IIISS radio!Available direct from MAD, localhobby shops as well as from NESailplane Products for ~ $74.95:
www.madaircraft.comwww.nesail.com
I’ve had a whole bunch of cheap thrillsflying 7 or 8 cell, Speed 400 electric inthe last year. A couple of planes thatare really neat for just messing aroundare the FMA Razor - I like the Speed400 7 cell version for ~ $140 complete:
www.fmadirect.com
The electric Zagi is also an excellentfun ship to fly. The Zagi 400X Com-plete Package from NE SailplaneProducts comes with: Zagi-400X wingwith hardware, Special Molded motortray and canopy, Speed 400 motor andprop, 18 amp BEC Speed control withbrake, 7 cell 1400 mah Nicad battery
with Deans Ultra Plug, Deans UltraPlug on a charging lead, completehardware package. Price from NESailplane is $165.Or, go directly to the Zagi web site andcheck out both the 400X and all theother neat stuff they have:
www.zagi.com
For a REALLY different flying experi-ence, you might want to check out thePark Hawk ornithopter (~ $200) at NESailplane Products. There’s a greatreview of this kit, with lots of interest-ing advice and building tips, at:
http://www.ezonemag.com/articles/2002/sep/parkhawk/parkhawk.shtml
This is waaay out of the box for mostof us but it looks like a very cleverlyengineered flying machine:
www.nesail.com
3) Video
I STRONGLY encourage any begin-ning modeler to get the Old BuzzardGoes Flying video from Taylor Collinsat Soaring Stuff. The video is looselybased on Dave Thornburg’s OldBuzzard Soaring Book. This 70 minutevideo takes you through the basics ofmicro-meteorology... and under theOle’ Buzzard’s tutelage, you will learnto accurately “Read” the air... knowwhere the lift is... where the sink is...and learn how to achieve that ultimategoal of all soaring pilots... to Stay Up...until YOU are ready to come down. Besure you go all the way to the outtakes!Available for 24.95 at Taylor Collinssite. While you’re there, check out theother neat stuff that Taylor stocks(tape, skids, etc.):
www.soaringstuff.com.
Also, any of the Radio Carbon Artvideos are excellent viewing. TheEndless Lift Series is exceptional andmany of the specialty videos arebundled for good savings. Excellentvideo quality and commentarythroughout from Paul Naton, themaster of modeling videos. Mostvideos run around $20 to $25. Toomany options to describe but check itout at:
www.radiocarbonart.com
4) Programs and Books
If you’re into design work and analy-sis, I can highly recommend ChuckAnderson’s Model Design 8.0 pro-gram. Contact Chuck directly [email protected]. Also available atNE Sailplane for $54.95.
One of the more advanced total designpackages is available from BlaineBeron-Rowden. This spreadsheetbased program is an integrated systemthat looks at overall stability, designand optimization. The package iscalled Plane Geometry and is availablefrom Envision Design (Blaines com-pany). I don’t recall the price as Ibought this some time ago but itsworth every cent. There are also somegreat technical articles at Blaines site:
http://members.cox.net/evdesign/
5) Skegs, Skids and other stuff
When skegs and skids first came out afew years ago, they scared thebejabbers out of me. As useful as theseare for spot landings, the razor sharpitems made from carbon fiber rein-forced material are real safety hazardsand can cause serious lacerations toany hand, face or other soft tissue thatthey hit. (I’ve seen it happen!) So whenTim McCann started making the blunthigh density polyethylene versions Ihad to give them a try and I’ve neverbeen disappointed. Yeah, they can hurtif you make a serious mistake but it’sno worse than a bruise instead of theslices you can get from the sharp stuff.And they work great for their intendedpurpose. All sorts of variants of bothitems at Tim’s website ranging from $5- $10 apiece. If you’re in the market fora turn-around (another hard to finditem these days), Tim’s got a very goodone for $110. And an excellently welldesigned winch kit for $265. The drumand frame are exceptionally well done.Add in a set of ball bearings for themotor from Real Balls (see B2 notes)and you’ve got a great setup:
www.supeskeg.com
6) Fun Stuff for the Shop
Recent surgery has me out of the flyingend of things for a few more monthsbut the shop is a great place to hangout. Here’s a few ideas:
Page 9October 2002
Major tools
I don’t see how any shop can be puttogether without a 16 variable speedscroll saw. These usually run around$140 from Sears or other hardwarestores. If you go this route, be sure ithas variable speed, takes pin end orpin less blades, a tilt table and has a 16or so reach.
Second item on this list is a combina-tion belt and disk sander. The smallerones from Dremel are fine but minesfrom Sears and has been very ruggedand reliable for years. Usually < $100unless you go for variable speed.
Finally, the most useful table saw I’vegot is the Tilting Arbor Table Saw fromMicro-Mark. This is a little pricey at$329.95 but is the best tool in my shopand comes into play for almost everyproject. You really need to get on theirwebsite or get a catalog so you can justdaydream all day long about all thehobbyist items they’ve got for all skilllevels:
www.micromark.com1-800-225-1066
Scrollsanders
If you go for that scroll saw, you’veGOT to try some of Chris Adams’scrollsanders. Every time I start aproject these little gems find anotherway to be handy. Check out Chriswebsite for dealer or ordering informa-tion as well as links to a number ofsoaring related sites. Scrollsanderscome in many grits and combinationsbut are typically in the $10 - $20 rangefor a variety pack:
http://www.scrollsander.com
Postal Scale
If you’re into small models, and DLGin particular, you’ve got to have areasonably accurate scale. I found agood one recently at Staples. It’s a toploading postal scale (digital, batteryoperated) that’s good for up to 5 lb. (~2kg) but is accurate to within a gram atlight weights. It reads in lb., oz. orgrams and has a tare capability (veryuseful!). Reasonable priced at around$45. Its by Royal Scales and is the EX5model. Beats the socks off my oldmechanical gram scale.
Small Tools
What every modeler needs to have isthe MicroMark catalog. This is aGREAT source for hard to find model-ing tools. There are just too manythings here to mention so go to theirwebsite and you’ll find more neat stuffthan you can imagine in all sorts ofprice ranges:
www.micromark.com
A sampler of someof my favorites
Just about any Dremel attachment, bitor fitting you can think of. In addition
to the router and shaper table, theyalso have the drill press accessory.
PanaVise ($39.95), pin vise set ($9.95),surgical (straight or curved - $6.95each), tool makers angle plates ($9.95to $19.95), angle setter for cutting anyangle in 3 or 4 wide sheet ($10.95), steelmachinist squares ($9.95 to $12.95depending on size), complete set ofmicro drill bits with case (#61 thru #80- very hard to find - $18.50), drill andtap set for 00-90, 0-80, 1-72 and 2-56(also very hard to find - $19.95), justabout any type of inside, outside, rightangle, deep reach, etc., clamp (manysizes and prices), just about any size ortype of jewelers file, rasp and otherhand finishing tool, and many, manymore neat hobby tools and supplies.
n
R/C Soaring DigestPage 10
[email protected]://www.b2streamlines.com
The Howe Farm Hawk
We’ve been flying tailless aircraftof various types for nearly
twenty years. During this time, we’vehad the privilege of tracing the face ofthe Dungeness Spit with seagulls,coursing through huge clouds ofnearly invisible insects with swallows,and flying through the same generalmass of air as Bald Eagles.
During all of the flight time we’veshared with various feathered crea-tures, we’ve never had one of ourtailless aircraft attacked. In fact, werecently had an experience whichdemonstrated an opposite aviantendency.
The site of this enlightening experiencewas the Howe Farm, an 83 acre plot ofland which is now under ownership ofKitsap County. The included mapshows the general layout of the site.The parking lot on the west side isquite small, capable of holding just afew cars. The area between the parkinglot and the barn is a rounded uphillslope, while the area to the east of thebarn forms a shallow valley. Anothershallow valley begins south of theparking lot.
Because the site is completely sur-rounded by trees, and there are lines oftrees on the property, it’s very difficultto determine wind direction on theground. Still, breezes coming fromvarious directions hit the tree lines andprovide sporadic “slope lift.” Addi-tionally, on this visit, the larger openspaces produced some light thermalactivity.
We met Mike McIntyre, a fellowsailplane enthusiast, at the farm andset up the winch between the parkinglot and the barn. We put the turn-
around out in the eastern valley, about900 feet away, as noted on the map.Due to the slope, the line was com-pletely clear of the ground for its entirelength once the winch motor was runup.
Several flights of increasing durationwith both the R-2 and Blackbird #7demonstrated the challenging aspectsof finding significant sustained lift atthis field. The R-2 was launched again.After a few moments of flying aroundin search of thermal activity, it wassteered to the area over the parking lot(Area A on the map). The wind at thispoint was blowing into the treesaround the lot, and a light updraft waspresent. The R-2 started climbing.
Several turns later, the R-2 had gainedsome height and it seemed like the liftwas going to be somewhat consistent.Suddenly, we heard the squeal of araptor and saw a Swainson’s Hawkflying in from the south.Unhesitatingly, the hawk joined the R-2, calling intermittently in a joyoustone.
We had the R-2 in a left hand turn, andthe hawk, while able to turn a bit moretightly, was making left hand turns aswell. For a few minutes the hawk andthe R-2 shared the same lift andclimbed in unison. When it becameobvious that the lift was gettinglighter, we turned the R-2 toward AreaB, where we’d found lift during aprevious flight.
As soon as the R-2 left the hawk andheaded across the field, the hawkscreeched loudly. As the R-2 gotfurther away, the cries of the hawkbecame more intense. We found somelift in Area B and started climbing in aright hand turn. Two turns later, weheard a loud “kriee-e-e-e,” and lookedup to see the hawk, wings folded back,streaking toward the R-2.
We anticipated the hawk rejoining theR-2, but we did not anticipate thehawk would circle in the oppositedirection. Meeting head-on twice perrevolution was immediately envi-sioned as being a problem, but thehawk was back to the happier sound-ing squealings of before and seemedcomfortable with the situation. Wetried to keep the R-2 circling steadily.
As when we were flying over the
parking lot, the lift began fading. Sincewe had good height, the R-2 washeaded north toward Mile Hill Road.In Area C we hit a bump that seemedpromising and began circling. Weheard the hawk call out and turnedjust in time to see him make a nearvertical descent into one of the trees ashort distance to the north of where wehad been circling.
The bump turned out to be nothingmore than a bump, so we steered theR-2 west and then south between thetree line and the barn, circled a coupleof times and landed slightly downhillfrom the winch. As soon as the R-2 wason the ground, the hawk let outanother “kriee-e-e-e,” left the tree andheaded to Mile Hill Road. It wasdifficult to estimate, but it seemed likethe hawk went further toward the roadthan we had traveled before he startedcircling and climbing. Perhaps hecaught a bubble coming off the asphaltroadway.
Interestingly, the hawk made onlythree climbing circles before tracingthe same west-south route taken by theR-2 just moments before. A singlesqueal was heard as he flew overhead,and seconds later he was sitting in atree to the south, most likely the onewhere he started his journey.
What had just transpired was bothamazing and awe inspiring. There wasnever a hint of aggression from thehawk the entire time. The hawk’sbehavior was notable not only becauseof his flight behavior, but also becauseof his nearly continuous vocalizationsand the emotional content of his calls.
As he joined up with the R-2 for thefirst time, it was if he was saying,“Hello, I see you found some lift, I’mgoing to join you.” His calls whilecircling were, as said before, obviouslyjoyous. When we left the initial lift andheaded across the field, the hawksounded surprised and somewhatupset, almost as if to say, “Hey, whereare you going? What’s wrong with thelift we’re in now?”
He once again announced his arrival ashe followed the R-2 to Area B, thengave out the same happy vocalizationsas we circled past each other, andsounded overtly distressed when theR-2 broke out of circling mode andheaded for Mile Hill Road.
Page 11October 2002
The astounding verbalization, how-ever, occurred as he passed directlyoverhead during his trip back to hisoriginal perch. He was so obviouslytelling us how proud he was to havefound that elusive third thermal whenwe had failed. He had circled in it justlong enough for us to see that it didindeed exist, and, despite our initialapparent ability to find lift, he wassuperior at the task.
Flying with the hawk was so thrilling,so perfect, that we didn’t spoil ourown emotional state by launchingagain. Rather, we packed everythingup and headed for home. Our interac-tion with the Howe Farm hawk wastruly an unforgettable experience._____
References:
Farrand, John Jr.: The Audubon
Society Master Guide to Birding.Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1983.
Bent, Arthur Cleveland: Life Historiesof North American Birds of Prey, PartOne. Dover Publications, Inc., NewYork. (Reprint of a 1937 SmithsonianInstitution Bulletin 167.)
Howe Farm, Kitsap County, Washing-ton State <http://www.kitsapgov.com/parkcatalog/howe.htm>.
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R/C Soaring DigestPage 12
GORDY’S TRAVELS
Gordy StahlLouisville, [email protected]
How High is ‘High’?The ELV Vario/Altimeter
Back in February I attended theDortmund RC Show in Germany
(pretty lucky guy!). I was like a kid in acandy store and one of the things I hadmy heart set on was a Vario/altimeter.
The really cool one costs about $500and actually has a German woman’svoice that talks, telling you altitude,and voltage. Too rich for my interest.
There were about 4 Varios withfeatures limited from the above to justa Vario tone. One of them turned outto have all the features mentionedabove, except it didn’t have a girl‘speaking’, but it did have a simpledigital display and for under $300shipped (actual price depends on thecurrency exchange rate).
It’s called the ELV VAM200, and itconsists of a handheld display receiverand an onboard transmitter.
Using it, provided me with exactlywhat I had hoped it would: a ‘confir-mation’ of lift. I wanted it to help me‘learn’ to read air more accurately andit did. Prior to using the Vam, I ‘felt’that I knew when I was in lift, ‘felt’that I knew when I was climbing out,‘felt’ that I knew when I was in sink.However, it didn’t take too manyflights with the Vam to find out that Iwas mistaken.
Often it ‘seemed’ like my sailplane wasclimbing while it was going away offthe launch, but it turns out that it was
often an illusion of perspective.
As a test, I would launch with the Vamin the plane, I would push straight outinto the wind and ask other pilots ifthey thought my plane was climbingas it went away. Always the responsewas enthusiastically, “Yes!” However,my partner monitoring the Vam RXdisplay would confirm that my planewas actually losing altitude.
Once in lift (according to the Vam’sdigital altitude display), it was clear tosee my sailplane’s reactions andaction... Making it easy to ‘know’ whenit is in lift without using the Vam. Tail-up, lively reaction, increase airspeed inlift, tail-hanging, sluggish, stallingwith any attempt to circle, clearlyindicating sink.
You probably say, “Those are all thethings we already knew and could see,without the Vam!” But trust me, withthe Vam to show you the numbers, notjust a tone, seeing those conditionsbecame tremendously clear.
The on-board battery voltage is a verycool thing, especially on the slope orfor instance during cross-country orhour plus LSF achievement tasks.
The Max Altitude function reallyworks great for getting your launch setup maximized. You launch and checkaltitude when you flatten out after thezoom. Then set the Max AltitudeAlarm to indicate that you haveexceeded that height.
For the money, the Vam is a great tooland worth more than its price.
Would the ‘talking’ unit be better?YES, because then you don’t have totake your eye off the plane to check thedisplay, or rely on someone to reportthe display readouts. But truthfully,it’s worked just great for me andallowed me enough money savings tobuy a spare set of wings for my TDship!
Did using the Vam functions help mewin contests? No, it did help me maxrounds that I am sure I would havetanked, due to flying through lift Iwouldn’t have recognized. It is legal touse Varios and the Vam in TD contests,
but my suggestion is to use it to learnto recognize air, and then weanyourself from relying on it. Why? It’smore fun to do it on your own!
ELV is a VERY German company;expect weeks or even a couple ofmonths to get your Vam after placingyour credit card order. What we expectas ‘good service’ is completely differ-ent from their intentions. Don’tconfuse that with ‘bad service’. If youend up disappointed by a delayedshipping date, the disappointment isbecause of your ‘assumed’ expectation.I’m also not saying that they don’t shipon time or keep their promises, butthey rely on a Far East manufacturingfacility, and provide availabilityinformation that they receive.
While most Germans speak English,they don’t necessarily speak AmericanRC Sailplane; there is a difference. So ifyour intent is to ‘chat them up’ aboutproduct details, FORGET IT! Theydon’t have the time, expertise orinterest to chat up the Vam’s features.The website says all there is to know.
The transmitter is on 433.92mhz at avery low power, so no chance ofbothering some Ham operator usingthat frequency. They are not FCC‘Type Accepted’ so you won’t see adealer for them here in the USA. Thatis NOT the same as being ‘illegal’ foruse in the USA. Again, they transmitsuch a small amount of power theycouldn’t bother anyone.
From what I can tell, they only comeon one frequency (I got two completeunits and both were on the same freq),so two of them operating at the sametime at the same flying site will be aproblem. As I said, I think they aremore than worth the money as an ‘airreading’ tool. The other functions arejust frosting on the already pretty goodcake.
Soaring in Germany was a ball, butfinding the Vam 200 made it evenmore valuable to my hobby fun.
Hope you enjoy my ELV 200 VarioAltimeter ‘trip’ as much as I have!
What follows is my ‘translation’ of theVam’s operating instructions...
• • •
Page 13October 2002
Advertising Information
The new ELVtelemetry system
The variometer function
The variometer is one of the mostimportant tools for model gliderssince it allows you to locate andutilize thermals. It uses differentfrequencies of tone to inform youwhether the model is currentlyclimbing, descending or maintaininga constant altitude.
The current flight altitude
In addition to display of the batteryvoltage, the current flight altitude canalso be read directly from the VAM200 receiver. The max. flight altitudeis saved and can be read out after theflight, e.g. for statistical or optimiza-tion purposes. A flight altitude alarmcan also be programmed. Every timethe model flies above or below thisspecified altitude, an audible signalsounds in the receiver.
VAM 200 enhanced-featureversion with display
The multifunctional VAM 200 re-ceiver with large display shows thereceiver battery voltage and is shownin bar graph form. Real-time datatransfer in model sports does not haveto be expensive! The newly developedtelemetry system from ELV suppliesinformation on three key basicfunctions while the model is in flightor on the ground - namely, monitor-ing of the receiver battery voltage,altitude measurement and the vari-ometer. Other features include thetimer function, storage of the maxi-mum flight altitude, programming ofa flight altitude alarm and eithervisual or audible signaling. Thetelemetry system is easy to install andcomes complete in the usual ELVquality and at an incredibly attractiveprice.
The battery monitoring function iscrucial in model sports. The voltage ismonitored directly in the model.Information about the charge state ofthe VAM 200 receiver are designed foroutputting information from thevariometer. The three typical flightattitudes ‘climbing’, ‘descending’ and‘constant altitude’ are signaled audiblyat both receivers. If the model climbs ata rate in excess of 1 m/s, this is indi-cated by a high-frequency tone (1000Hz). If however the model descends ata rate of more than 1 m/s, a deep-pitched signal sounds (500 Hz). Canalso be used for BEC systems bysetting the number of cells (4 Dipswitches).
VAT 100 transmitter
Flight altitude and variometer func-tion. The altitude is measured bymeans of an extremely precise, cali-brated barometric sensor. During theflight, the air pressure readings aretransmitted continuously to thereceivers. The battery voltage ismeasured directly on the battery.
Key features:
• No interference in 27-MHz/35-MHz/40-MHz bands throughtransmission in 433-MHz- band.
• Voltage monitoring also possiblewith BEC systems (4-8 cells).
• Altitude measurement: 0-500 m• Variometer sensitivity: 1 m• Free-field range: up to 500 m• Extremely compact size of trans-
mitters, only 25 g in weight, meanthey can be used in virtually everymodel.
• ELV telemetry system can be usedequally effectively in modelaircraft, ship and car construction.
VAM 200 Display RXwith VAT 100 TX
Order No.: 17-405-06
Instructions for theELV Vam 200 Vario/Altimeter
First off, you will see things flash in thedisplay that have no function; so don’task. (I already tried.)
The Vam has these features:Altimeter
VarioOn-board battery voltage Feedback
Max Altitude achieved memoryVariable Max Altitude Limit Alarm
TimerAnnoying unit-on minute beep
So that you don’t get confused, theVam RX is the display that you hold inyour hand, the Vam TX is the part thatis inside the plane sending informa-tion.
I have had a chance to ‘play’ with theVam and found it works. It is effectiveand accurate within one meter ofaltitude. That means once calibrated onthe ground, by raising it one meter,you will get a reading of altitude. TheVario Tone registers via either aconstant high tone or a constant lowtone. The information is affected byradical sailplane speed changes.
R/C Soaring DigestPage 14
It has a limit of 1000m... But I have yetto get it beyond that height (930m wasmy max so far), as a sailplane getsreally tiny at that height.
The Receiver reception can be affectedby your TX and by distance (distancebeing different than altitude!). You cantell when reception has been tempo-rarily lost in either case. I believe the‘annoying minute beep’ is to let youknow that the unit is turned on. If thesignal is lost then you will get 4 loudbeeps.
On the left side of the RX is a tiny hole;it is to access the unit’s Vario tonevolume control. You can adjust thevolume by using a small Phillipsscrewdriver, then gently turning it.
There are four buttons on theRX’s face:
On/Off – Vario: Holding this buttonturns the unit on and off, and alsoturns off the Vario tone function(the high/low beep). The Variotone is turned on or off by ‘press-ing’ the button versus ‘holding’ it.It is also used to EXIT the MaxAltitude Set Function.
Start-Reset- + - Stop: This is the ‘timer’function control. It starts and stopsthe timer and resets it to zero by‘holding’ the button. The ‘+’ is usedin the Max Altitude Set function forsetting the Max Altitude Alarm.
Zero-Max Limit Reset-Time/Alt: Thisbutton is used to Zero (calibrate)the Altimeter function to theground (achieved by ‘holding’ thebutton down). Do it each timebefore you launch IF the RX hasbeen turned off between launchesAND while your plane is sitting onthe ground. The Max Limit Reset isto clear the setting you haveentered for a Max Limit Alarm. TheTime/Alt function toggles fromTimer display to Altimeter display.(While in the Altimeter display, thetimer is still shown in small num-bers.)
Max - ‘-‘ – Set: This is the button toturn on the Max Altitude Setfeature; once in the Set mode it isalso used to reduce the MaxAltitude Alarm setting. ALSO if theMax Limit has not been pre-set,then by pressing the Max button it
will show the highest altitude thatyour plane achieved during itsflight. Press and hold the Max/Limit Reset button to clear the Maxmemory.
On-Board battery Condition Display:Across the top of the display is a bargraph indicating the condition of thesailplane’s battery. The Vario TX hasfour small switches on one end, whichare set to the amount of cells used onboard; in most cases this will be firstswitch ON and the other three OFF forfour cells.
Quirks and anomalies:
If you are not getting a Vario tone,then you have to depress the On/Offbutton, or if you want to turn off thetone do the same.
If the Max Limit Set is not engaging,remove the RX’s Battery to reset theRX display.
Remember that you will not get analtitude display reaction unless the TXis powered-up on board.
That annoying minute beep or ‘ON’reminder can’t be turned off.
Yes you could glue a ‘wand’ into thevolume control hole so that youwouldn’t need a screwdriver.
It does not matter how or where theTX module is located in the plane, itcan be mounted in foam rubber, the‘intake’ is on the wire exit end of theRX.
You will notice air pressure changesjust by setting the TX on the ground.As thermals pass through you will getthe high tone.
Repairs:ELV Elektronik AG
ReklamationMaiburger Str. 32-3626789 Leer, Germany
English Contact:Annett Wagner
ELV Elektronik AGphone 011-49 491 6008 441, fax 011-49
491 7019e-mail [email protected]
www.elv.den
Page 15October 2002
FUNNY STORY
Slope Hunting, In theHills of Kentucky
by Paul CoxFairdale, Kentucky
Saturday morning and wind conditions were great, 10-15 mph winds
from due South. Unfortunately for usthough, there aren’t too many treelessslopes around here, let alone any weknew about that faced into the South.When I say we, I’m speaking of myroad tested, car co-pilot, Ellis. I alwaystry to invite Ellis, he likes to pick onme, so he always makes me feel rightat home.
We began our trip with all the neces-sary equipment, Mountain Dews,Reese-cups, and of course a few planesand chargers. The site we intended tofly at was located to the south andabout 35 miles away. More or less onlya 15 minute ride!
Our intended site? A Super Slope, orbetter known as an abandoned landfill,right off of the highway, yet un-visiblefrom the highway. Some of my non-flying informants had told me that itwas a huge hill, and people flew thereall the time.
High “tech” Internet mapping was ourplan of choice to find our intendedslope. (Note: Kentucky maps and theInternet shouldn’t be associated witheach other in anyway.) After using thisnew fangled mapping system I amnow a firm believer in the following:
(1) The USGS guys that made thesemaps, were definitely not inKentucky when these maps weremade,
(2) They were not familiar with anyform of map making, but weredefiantly having a good timeguessing, and/or possibly
(3) They were just really big Picassofans.
We headed out at the crack of dawn.(Well, OK, at about 11 o’clock, any-way.) Heading south on I-65 andlistening to varying rock stations,battery charger wires were strewn
through-out the car looking like theaftermath of a tornado in a RadioShack store. We realized after 30minutes into the trip, that the Reese-cup provisions were eaten, MountainDews mostly gone and that the exit wehad turned off of wasn’t getting us anycloser to our new super slope. We tookthe next exit and returned fromwhence we came. Ellis’ carefully timedverbal abuse balanced itself outbetween the number of trees that hadbeen destroyed to allow me to printthe maps out, and the number ofdinosaurs that had died creating thefuel I had already burned up in the car.
We needed information from the localsbut there was a problem. Ellis is one ofthose long-haired types from the 70’sand I wasn’t sure how the locals wouldrespond. Fearing the big ear-ed kidfrom “Deliverance” playing a banjo,we took the next road and began tolook for locals that could help us findour super slope. Just ahead, off of theroad, there was a park of some sort,which honored the men who hadbeaten up the infamous “sheep thief”of 81’. Parked there in a group of about10 motorcycles and trikes was somesort of biker club. It was my belief thatEllis’ long hair might not matter tomuch to these bikers. It turns out that Iwas wrong. These bikers were actuallya group of retired state trooperswaiting on a detachment of other statetroopers before heading further southto “Big Cave Country.” I asked the“wisest” looking person in the group ifhe knew where the old landfill waslocated. He thought about it for awhile, scratched his helmet, and thenasked some of his biker buddies. Inunison 3 hands pointed in differentdirections, quickly eliminating 357degrees of the known compass. Thefinally returned response told me thatthis ex-trooper may have been a USGSworker in days gone by.
We followed his advice for about 20minutes and decided to stop again.This time however it was Ellis’ turn toask. Finding a food mart (smallwooden shack with a “drink coke,”“firewood by the rik,” and “ice by thebag” banner-sign out front), Ellis wenton into the store. Knowing I’d neversee him again, one foot on the gas andthe other on the brake, I began todecide which planes of his I wouldkeep and which ones I’d sell followinghis disappearance. When, like a flash
he returned to the car, just as I wasputting his radio back in its case. “Pullout of here, and go up this road to theleft,” he told me. I followed his instruc-tions, as he explained to me how prettythe girl in the store was. I didn’t botherto ask him if he wondered how prettyher brother thought he was.
After about 3 miles up, on the one laneroad, we saw a sign that read “danger-ous hill.” We glanced at each other asthe car climbed the hill. At the peak,we noticed that the road hadn’t beenworn down as much on top, yet therewere skid marks just past the crest onboth sides. Hoping Ellis wouldn’tmind, I wanted to say, “Why don’t wepark and watch the “Dukes of Hazard”live?” But the super slope had to beclose by, so we headed on.
Rounding a curve we saw a huge scalemodel of a biplane suspended by oneof two ropes apparently depicting astall. Just beyond that was a hugesloping grassy hill, surrounded by a 9foot tall fence that was marked with asign “Electr-a-fide,” crested withconcentration camp concertina wire.“This must be the place!” I said, as wepulled into the driveway. We read thenext sign, hung on a steel anti-tankgate: “High winds, flying field closed,trespassers shot, have a nice day.”
Halfway back home Ellis stoppedlaughing, but all the while I wasthinking about another site I had heardabout from this delivery driver guy,one I had met in Frankfort...
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R/C Soaring DigestPage 16
Uncle Sydney’s Gossip Column – 17
by Sydney Lenssen, [email protected]
Dateline: November 2002
RANTING AFTER LAPPEEN
Finland recap and F3J’s future.
At several UK F3J comps sinceFinland, regular F3J winners are
still slightly unbelieving of the narrowmargins at Lappeenranta’s 2002 worldchamps. How does anyone score 9minutes 56 seconds, far less 14 minutes56 seconds plus?
Antonis Papadopoulos, who ranCorfu’s 2000 WC so successfully,collected all the Lappeenranta scores inthe nine preliminary rounds andproduced startling statistics. Forexample, more flyers scored 100landing points than 95, (37% comparedto 27%) and 65% of landings scored100 or 95. In all 684 flights, only 46scored zero landings, and they weremostly risk takers not poor landings.
Times were also impressive. In the firstnine rounds, 11 flights were recordedas 9 minutes 55 seconds or more. But346 flights out of 684 were recorded asbetween 9.50 and 9.54. Personally Icheer when my time is between 9.40and 9.49. (I only do it when practisingalone!) There were only 123 of theseso-called low scores. Only 80 flightsrecorded less than six minutes, whichis the sort of time I like to think myHKM Space Pro does in still air.
Feedback since the World Champsgossip report has been divided onwidening the gap between winningscores at international level. DavidGreer (from Zambia) believes it onlylogical that cream pilots should getjammed together at the top. “Thesefolk are meant to be the best in theworld. So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,”he says. He would accept dropping thethrowaway score in four round fly-offs. But if you do away with dropscores, why allow them in the prelims?
Inge Balswick from Norway and FAI
Soaring Digest was radical. If you’regoing to have a spearing contest, whynot make the winner the first mandown with the fastest vertical speed. Ifyou get a high launch, you can divevertically down at highest speed andget a solid spear landing. But that takeslonger than a short launch with lessheight, forsaking extra speed. Hisproviso is that you are still allowedonly three models. Then he asks us toaccept that his idea is a joke!
Rob Ashley-Roche came up withanother anti-spear solution: put thelanding spots on Tarmac or concreterunways. He and others reckoned thatthe time has come for the landing tapeto be continuously graduated in singlepoints rather than fives.
Carl Strautins from Australia makesthe simple undeniable point: the hugedifference between 1 and 2 metresfrom the spot in a tight slot penalisesdisproportionately. Carl (he who gottwo 1,000s in the Finnish fly-offs) getsmy “best reader of air – 2002” award,for I have now heard him several timesspotting for pilots and coaxing them tonew lift when their thermals havedisappeared.
He summed up Lappeenranta air asfollows. Basically the air was too good.The thermals had a range of lifting air200-300 metres wide or more, andflyers were not forced to find a core;most times they could bumble into 10minutes. The sink was not greatenough to warrant extensive thermalsearching. The thermal cycles werequite regular and predictable, and ithelped to have the flags near the pits,the flag down at the far end at theairport terminal and the multitude ofbirds.
Carl spotted several slots in whichlaunch heights from one end of theflight line to the other differed farmore due to thermal presence ratherthan to any launch techniques. And Ialways thought that my tow-men werepast it or slacking!
Another debate is whether to countpreliminary round scores in with thefly-off. Carl believes that all scores
should count, and that makes it moretesting than counting the best three offour scores to determine the best pilotin the world. More to the point, hereckons that flyers would work harderfor their 1000s in each and everyround. There are those who land tenseconds early, knowing that they havewon the slot, rather than trying topunish rivals by flying out the slot.
Finally, how much sense did it havemeasuring flight times in Finland totwo decimal places of a second?NONE.
As several respondents pointed out,few people can time the end of a slot towithin 0.1 seconds never mind 0.01, sothe second decimal place is irrelevantand probably liable to distort resultsoccasionally. But that’s as nothingcompared with the errors inherent inany timekeeper pressing the buttonsexactly when the glider leaves the line,especially with a dip and zoom.Timekeeper support or generosity isprobably worth at least one fullsecond. If the next door line happensto release with a bang, as it often does,that could be worth staying anothersecond on your own line, knowingyour buttons have been pressed as anatural reaction.
On the positive front, several readersurged that the fly-offs at least shouldhave two independent timekeepers, asin F3B speed runs, splitting the differ-ence between times. It does not matterif all the timekeepers happen to havethe same reaction times – highlyunlikely – but it is important that theyare consistent. One or two peopleadvocated some sort of electronictiming device. God forbid – that reallywill be the end of our supposedlyrelaxing hobby.
The biggest puzzle facing F3J must behow to get THERMAL skills to countfor more in good weather contestswhen so many flyers are flying the fulltime within a second or so. Thermalsoaring, after all, is what F3J contestsstarted out trying to test.
Last time I mooted having two sightlines at each end of the flight line, witha bonus of 250 points for those flyerswho at some stage of the slot crossedboth lines. The idea was simply toforce flyers to abandon the super liftthat would normally do for 10 or even15 minutes, and encourage searching
British Model FlyingAssociation F3J News
Page 17October 2002
for another thermal. In good weather,too many pilots catch their lift, oftenjoined by others, then off they fly milesdownwind to enormous heights,patiently waiting for the two-minutesignal.
Big snag with my first idea wasidentifying 12 models as they crossedthe sightlines.
Somebody has had inspiration, and itis simple. Bob Owston has flown F3Jsince its earliest days and combines hishobby with earning a living as anengineer and an architect, a sure signof ability to think laterally.
His brilliant idea is to use the launchline to define a plane across the skies.Each launch spot would have a circu-lar hoop (as used by individuals in F3Band F5B) sighting along the line. Eachflyer would be required to cross thelaunch plane and circle through atleast 360 degrees between a threeminute hooter and a four minutehooter say, and then the same againbetween seven and eight minutes.
The spotter for each pilot would berequired to raise a flag as his pilot wascompleting the circle. Independentchecking of the turning circles wouldnot be needed during a run-of-the-millcompetition, except perhaps on arandom basis. An important champi-onships it could be. For each of the twocompleted circles over the launch line,the pilot would score 150 points say, avalue rather more than a spot landing.
Why is 150 points chosen? Sharp guyswill quickly recognise that a maximumscore would then become 10 X 60duration plus 100 landing plus 150 X 2circles equals 1,000 points. This wouldallow a far easier guess at normalisedscores when seconds are lost to a rival.
In good weather, the two circle taskswould merely add a little zest to eachflight. Typically it could force flyers tofind a second and third patch of lift. Inscratchy conditions, the pilot wouldface the choice of staying in good liftand forget the circle bonus points. Ifthe two baseline circle risks are taken,the pilot might fail to find lift and beforced to land before the end of theslot.
Another big bonus to this “new-lookF3J” is that the models returning to the
start line would become “spectator-friendly” and visible. Flying an effi-cient path back to the line, turningthrough a circle and then setting offagain upwind or downwind to regainheight would make our competitionsmore exciting to watch. (My wifereckons: F3J flying is only slightlymore interesting than watching paintdry.) Our sport might become moreattractive!
Any more ideas, or any better ideas?How about someone putting theseideas into a set of rules for TomasBartovksy and Sandy Pimenoff tochew over, and someone to organise atrial comp!
First months of 2002 brought lousyweather in UK, which spoilt practicedays and forced abandonment of thefirst league event. But by the end ofOctober, we’d had seven valid events,with the best four counting towardsthe three UK team places for next year.Four or five contests were held inenjoyable weather rather than theusual dodging between showers andgusts of high wind.
One of the nicest Finns to meet inLappeenranta was Tommy Westlin,assistant contest director in the trannieimpound, who started the slots and thetiming device. He ordered a SharonPro 3.7 after the contest, having beenimpressed by Tobias Lammlein andseveral others with this model duringthe champs. He wrote asking for mysettings.
With job pressure, he expects to havehis Sharon ready for testing afterChristmas. Initial flights will be on anearby frozen lake with a blanket ofsnow on top. And we complain aboutBritish weather.
Feedback from all over the globeshows that most countries do not enjoymore than one annual F3J competitionand that is how they select nationalteams. In several countries F3J flyersare so few that they can’t cope withtwo-man tows if they want six or morein any slot. So they use winches.Perhaps we in the UK don’t have it sobad after all!
Let me tell what excites me most inmodel soaring’s future at this time. Ihave become hooked by hlg, particu-larly since the advent of SAL – side
arm launching – which thank good-ness is now settling down to the nameof “discus” launching.
Two years ago I wrote about it, cour-tesy of US and German articles. Thisyear at Dortmund I bought my firstmodel, the SAGA produced byVladimir Gavrilko in the Ukraine. Itflies like a French mistress or a Citroencar – as touchy as hell to keep going,but when it does, then out of thisworld.
At the end of a late summer holiday inFrance, Austria and Germany, Itraveled past Kirchheim am Teck,famous as home town of Graupner. Afew people know that it is also close towhere Claus Schnarrenberger lives,designer and producer of Murphy.This hlg with moulded two-servowing, flown by his mate RalphMittelbach, has won the F3K Eurotourin 2000 and 2001. Claus has also wonmany F3K contests.
I collected my new model and weenjoyed a couple of hours flying hisMurphy and my Saga at the back of hishouse. He had 12 flights. Apart fromthe first, which he said was for trim-ming, he caught thermals small andlarge each time, bringing Murphydown at two or three minutes asdeclared before each launch. My Sagahit lift most times too, but I got awayonly three times out of 12. Murphy ismagic! (How come HerrSchnarrenberger calls his modelMurphy? He tells that everything thatcould go wrong during its develop-ment and kitting did, so only one namewas possible.)
F3K, the hlg class, is sure to reach fullFAI recognition soon. In fact Lausanneis pressing Eurotour and hlg support-ers to make proposals for regional andworld championships, fix the rules andget on with it. In contrast to the F3Jsupporters in the early 1990s, the F3Kadvocates want to proceed slowly.What they favour, says AlexWunschheim who is current managerof F3K Eurotour, is to run a two-daytrial event in conjunction with an F3Jworld champs.
I’d cheer that super idea, for thatmeans Calgary! Having the wholeCIAM/FAI circus already assembledin Canada with top flyers from all overthe world, you would certainly get a
R/C Soaring DigestPage 18
fiercely contested hand launch event.F3J plus F3K surely adds up to a sumgreater than the total of its parts.
***
UK’s senior team for the 2003 Euro-pean Championships – July 20-27, inDeva, Romania - will be Tony Vale,Adrian Lee and Dave East. Theyplaced first, second and third in theUK F3J league to win team places,subject to BMFA ratification. Con-gratulations.
Tony and Dave will be flying for theircountry for the first time. All threeplayed hard for the UK team inFinland, gaining valuable insights intowhat they could face in Romania – soreheads, irregular meals and yes, soaringtoo. So top level competition and thestrain of a five-day event will not beforeboding.
Tony Vale is in the Fairlop club, sameas me. He, Pete Weston, Gill Doonan,Nuno Canteiro and Richard Yates setout plans as early as 2001 to put everyeffort into getting Tony into the team.Everyone in the team gave first prior-ity to their man. Flying Graphites, theirlaunches were UK’s highest on eachand every event. Lines were always inprime condition, checked regularlyand replaced if suspect. Time wasalways made for more practice andretrimming, and they have height anddata collection devices to measurerather than guesstimate.
All their efforts have come good. Tonyscored 400 points to win the league, aperfect score. His lowest droppedscore was 96.52. So he had a good yearthanks to a good team: here’s hopingnext year is even better.
Adrian and his wife Fiona are oldinternational hands and have spenttime in a tent ten times atHollandglide. He has been in the UKteam thrice before, Deva in 1999, Corfu2000, and in the fly-offs at Holic 2001.
He will be building yet another HighFive this winter in his garage, it will bered on top and blue underneath, andhe will consistently refuse to fly anyready-built moulded model. He doesnot believe it, but if only he would tryother models, then he would surelybecome an international winner, ‘coshe’s by far the most consistent ex-ploiter of thermals around in the UK.
Dave East is this year’s surprise,winning his place at the last momentby the narrowest of margins (0.7points). Everyone in the CATS teamhas now gained UK team places. Hespotted for Mike Raybone in WC 2002and for me in the Wild Man’s trophy,for which I awarded him “top spotter2002”. He talks with a warm economi-cal and beguiling style, and more oftenthan just by fluke, he guides you intolift. He flies for fun and is often funny,and long may that continue!
Having two dedicated teams insupport helps the success of all threeteam members. It also highlights that ifall flyers in one team are potentialwinners, and they don’t fly againsteach other in the league events, thentop pilots are not tested as thoroughlyas would be best. At present, that’s anin-built weakness in our league teamarrangements.
What are UK’s chances? They willdepend in part on how seriously otherteams are taking 2003, for some pilotsmight be tempted to concentrate onwinning places for Canada 2004.Watch this space for team news, gossipand betting.
What’s not decided yet is who will berunning the UK F3J league next year,how many and where the rounds willbe flown. BMFA’s silent flight techni-cal committee had its October meetingbut didn’t resolve matters. Committeechairman Chris Bishop proposed thathe should run it, and wants to includeall the big BARCS events plus theScottish Nationals. Rumour has it thatfurther bids might emerge.
SFTC did question whether the UKteam should be appointed on thesimple basis of topping the league.There are those who reckon that theteam ought to be selected on who ismost likely to win in the following
year. That surely means havingselectors who presume to know best,as in cricket and football. I have asuspicion that simple placings have alot of merit, but what are your views?
***
So goodbye to Kevin Beale and NickEvans after just one year managing theUK F3J league. Both deserve a big voteof thanks, along with the usual team ofhelpers who give a hand each time onthe day – too few by the way. Kevinbore the brunt and did well to placesixth. Nick coped well despite trying tomove house, and paid by slippingplaces in the league.
The powers that be should feel chas-tened by events. Kevin and Nick werebrought in to satisfy the hobby’s“politicians” and to bring BARCS andF3JUK closer. Neither Kevin nor Nickpromised more than one year cannotbe blamed. But management of theleague needs continuity, at least aphased hand-over, and two years if notlonger because experience does count.It bugs me that an established provenwilling team was sacked a year ago tomake way for the joint BARCS/F3JUKeffort.
***
This gossip column has been circulat-ing recently around the worldwidewebby courtesy of FAI Soaring Digest andin the US thanks to Jerry & Judy Slatesand R/C Soaring Digest. The columnstarted in BMFA F3J News, the newslet-ter of the UK’s F3J league, which is not,I should make clear, an official com-munication of the British Model FlyingAssociation. Any errors, commentsand views are solely the responsibilityof the writer, who is simply trying toadd to the enjoyment of our hobby.
End of gossip. n
ZIKA
GONE SOARIN’
Page 19October 2002
T.W.I.T.T.(The Wing Is The Thing)T.W.I.T.T. is a non-profit organization whosemembership seeks to promote the researchand development of flying wings and othertailless aircraft by providing a forum for theexchange of ideas and experiences on aninternational basis. T.W.I.T.T. is affiliatedwith The Hunsaker Foundation which isdedicated to furthering education andresearch in a variety of disciplines. Fullinformation package including one back issueof newsletter is $2.50 US ($3.00 foreign).Subscription rates are $20.00 (US) or $30.00(Foreign) per year for 12 issues.
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The Eastern Soaring League (ESL) is a confederation of Soaring Clubs, spread across the Mid-Atlantic and New England areas, committed to high-quality R/C Soaring competition.AMA Sanctioned soaring competitions provide the basis for ESL contests. Further guidelines arecontinuously developed and applied in a drive to achieve the highest quality competitionspossible.Typical ESL competition weekends feature 7, or more, rounds per day with separate contests onSaturday and Sunday. Year-end champions are crowned in a two-class pilot skill structureproviding competition opportunities for a large spectrum of pilots. Additionally, the ESL offers aRookie Of The Year program for introduction of new flyers to the joys of R/C Soaring competition.Continuing with the 20+ year tradition of extremely enjoyable flying, the 1999 season will include14 weekend competitions in HLG, 2-M, F3J, F3B, and Unlimited soaring events. Come on out andtry the ESL, make some new friends and enjoy camaraderie that can only be found amongst R/CSoaring enthusiasts!
ESL Web Site: http://www.e-s-l.orgESL President (99-00): Tom Kiesling (814) 255-7418 or [email protected]
The League of Silent Flight (LSF) is an internationalfraternity of RC Soaring pilots who have earned theright to become members by achieving specificgoals in soaring flight. There are no dues. Once youqualify for membership you are in for life.The LSF program consists of five “AchievementLevels”. These levels contain specific soaring tasksto be completed prior to advancement to the nextlevel.Send for your aspirant form, today:
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SailplaneHomebuilders
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The purpose of theSailplane HomebuildersAssociation is to stimulate interest in full-sizesailplane design and construction byhomebuilders. To establish classes,standards, categories, where applicable. Todesiminate information relating to constructiontechniques, materials, theory and relatedtopics. To give recognition for noteworthydesigns and accomplishments.SHA publishes the bi-monthly SailplaneBuilder newsletter. Membership cost: $15U.S. Student (3rd Class Mail), $21 U.S. RegularMembership (3rd Class Mail), $30 U.S. RegularMembership (1st Class Mail), $29 for All OtherCountries (Surface Mail).Sailplane Homebuilders Association
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Summary of Low-Speed Airfoil Data - Volume 3 is reallytwo volumes in one book. Michael Selig and his studentscouldn’t complete the book on series 3 before series 4was well along, so decided to combine the two series ina single volume of 444 pages. This issue contains muchthat is new and interesting. The wind tunnel has beenimproved significantly and pitching moment measure-ment was added to its capability. 37 airfoils were tested.Many had multiple tests with flaps or turbulation ofvarious configurations. All now have the tested pitchingmoment data included. Vol 3 is available for $35. Ship-ping in the USA add $6 for the postage and packagingcosts. The international postal surcharge is $8 for surfacemail to anywhere, air mail to Europe $20, Asia/Africa$25, and the Pacific Rim $27. Volumes 1 (1995) and 2(1996) are also available, as are computer disks contain-ing the tabulated data from each test series. For moreinformation contact: SoarTech, Herk Stokely, 1504N. Horseshoe Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 U.S.A.,phone (757) 428-8064, e-mail <[email protected]>.
Reference Material
BBS/Internet
Internet soaring mailing listserve linking hundreds ofsoaring pilots worldwide. Send msg. containing theword "subscribe" to [email protected]. The"digestified" version that combines all msgs. each dayinto one msg. is recommended for dial-up users on theInternet, AOL, CIS, etc. Subscribe using [email protected]. Post msgs. [email protected]. For more info., contact MichaelLachowski at [email protected].
Books by Martin Simons: "World's VintageSailplanes, 1908-45", "Slingsby Sailplanes","German Air Attaché", "Sailplanes bySchweizer". Send inquiries to: Raul Blacksten,P.O. Box 307, Maywood, CA 90270,<[email protected]>. To view summary ofbook info.: http://home.earthlink.net/~raulb
There is a growing interest in scale soaring inthe U.S. We are dedicated to all aspects ofscale soaring. Scale soaring festivals andcompetitions all year. Source for informationon plans, kits, accessories and other peopleinterested in scale. For more information:
web site: www.soaringissa.org
InternationalScale SoaringAssociat ion
R/C Soaring DigestPage 20