3dsky

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Looking for a good idea on just how high sailplanes launch. Anyone have Telemetry data on their sailplanes on just how high a hand tow launch and winch launches are? Looking for real data from what would be typical at a contest.
The reason is my local club just put a 400 ft maximum on any flying of all types of models. I am thinking my voom launches are over that, just a guess. Any data?

flexsphincter

well i have a "how high" its in my 2mtr, not in my 100" wing plane id guess the 100" would be higher. but as for the 2mtr on a 50 ft piece of rubber and abt 150+ ft of line and a nice 5-10mph breeze in my face i get just over 200ft. With a "high start" im at 350-400 ft with same wind cdx.
with our club winch its 600ft easy with no zoom on my woodie wings. That to bad about your clubs limits,,,,i hate it when politics and wanab polititions feel the power to change things,,,,, or did faa make your club make the new rule?

3dsky

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New rule is from the old FAA 1981 that list 400ft max, long story short the AMA listed 400 ft only within 3 miles of an airport, but the 1981 FAA Advisory AC 91-57 states "Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface." Note the period and in the AMA rules it has a commia and the rest is " when flying within 3 miles of a airport....

My club desided to follow the FAA and not the AMA. Not sure why when I pay AMA dues to an AMA club.

John C

Wait until February when the new FAA rules are supposed to come out. Our local soaring club with their moulded 3+ meter sailplanes may be out of business if a 400 ft. limit is really enacted [:'(]. Their winch runs are 450' plus major zooms coming off the line.

I'm holding off on any more sailplanes until the new rules are published.

John C

3dsky

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I am looking for a link to the new rules.

j.duncker

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Zoom launch on 600 feet with powerful winch 800 to 900 feet

Barograph figures.

BMatthews

If that 400 foot ruling applies to all areas and not just around airports it means that any sort of sailplane flying with thermals involved is going to pretty much require an application for a special exemption and a resulting NOTAM to cover the soaring field and surrounding area. And that assumes that the FAA would be willing to issue such permission.

It would be pretty much impossible to carry on any RC soaring or serious free flight contests with a 400 foot restriction. Heck, even a turbine meet would be "tight and tough" flying with a 400 foot restriction.

Hydro Junkie

I know this is a little off topic, but how high would the electric powered gliders get in a roughly 1 minute power climb? Would they get too high as well?

3dsky

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I can get to a speck with a 2 M in less than 60 sec. 4000 ft or more

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Depends on the motor/battery setup but I would say 1000 ft is not out of the ball park. Getting 500 ft off a winch launch is no sweat.


As of right now the FAA 400 ft deal is an ADVISORY unless you are within 3 miles of an airport. If your club is not within 3 miles and it's officers are trying to enforce the 400 ft limit, I would search out a new club.

da Rock

Or more sensibly, search out new club officers.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Depends on your winch, how much line you put out, your plane and your talent.

I would say typical winch luanch at an Eastern Soaring League contest, using strong winches and high end gliders would be 500 to 700 feet.

flexsphincter

well if 400 ft becomes law i forsee many people dropping there ama membership, taking all identification off plane and go fly where one is by themselves or friends at nonclub/undisclosed field,,im just saying..