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Glider Question From Newbie

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Old 12-01-2002, 02:13 AM
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fly-nerd
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

I HAVE BEEN WITH THE GASERS 2 YEARS. NOW I WANT TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. WHAT IS A GOOD GLIDER FOR A PERSON STARTING OUT

FLYNERD
Old 12-01-2002, 02:34 AM
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Ollie
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

It depends on a lot of personal considerations.
Why are you switching to sailplanes?
What do you like about sailplanes?
What kinds of modelers will you be flying with?
What are your short term and long term objectives in becomming a sailplane pilot?
Do you like to build?
What kind of radio do you plan to use?
What kind of budget do you have in mind?
How good a pilot are you?
How big a wing can you transport to the field and store at home?
How big is the field you plan to fly at?
How much sailplane flying have you witnessed?
Is there a sailplane club in your area?
How do you plan to launch your plane?

If you are not sure about some of the answers to these questions you might want to contact
LEAGUE OF FLIGHT BY THERMAL LOFT. WILLIAM KRAUSKOPF, 219-749-2776 [email protected], 3406 THAMES DR, FORT WAYNE IN 46815-5996
and arrange to visit one of their flying sessions. This will be worth the trip to observe this aspect of the hobby as practised by experts. I assue you that you will be warmly received.
Old 12-01-2002, 02:44 AM
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downwind
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

is this a home loan app.?

so many questions
Old 12-01-2002, 02:55 AM
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Ollie
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

Without knowing a lot about the person asking for a recommendation the recommendations trnd to fit the recommender better than they fit the asker.
Old 12-01-2002, 03:11 AM
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fly-nerd
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Default gliders

1 SWITCHING--I THINK I D LIKE TO FLOAT LIKE A HAWK
2 LIKE ABOUT SP'S--SLOW STABLE FLIGHT
3 MODELERS FLYING WITH--GASSERS BUT MOSTLY AN EMPTY FIELD
4 OBJECTIVE'S--CONTROLED THERMO SEARCH
5 LIKE TO BUILD--YES BUT NOT CRAZY ABOUT COVERING--I COVER FURNITURE, UPHOLSTER 9 HRS A DAY
6 RADIO--WILL MY RADIO FROM MY GASSERS WORK?
7 BUDGET-- RESERVED, BUT WILL PURCHASE QUAILITY EQUIPMENT
8 PILOT--GOOD BUT GETTING BETTER
9 WING SIZE--HAVE PICKUP-CAN TRANSPORT
10 FIELD SIZE--1- 10 ACRE, 1 -80 ACRE, 1- 100 ACRE, PLENTY OF ROOM
11 SAILPLANE TIME SEEN--A LITTLE- I LIKE TO THINK OF THEM AS HAWKS
12 CLUB IN AREA-- NO JUST GASSERS
13 PLANE LAUNCH--HAND, SHORT HIGHSTART, MAKE ELECTRIC WINCH

P.S. I HOPE IT GETS EASIER AFTER THIS
THANK YOU
FLYNERD
Old 12-01-2002, 04:18 AM
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Ollie
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

You can use your existing radio in sailplanes from 2-meters up in size. The most bang for the buck is in the 2-meter size. Buy a quality kit with laser cut parts like a Lil Bird 3-meter from Skybench Aerotech, a Chrysalis 2-meter from DJ Aerotech or a Krstrel from Northeast Sailplane Products. See:
http://www.nesail.com/kestrel.jpg
http://skybench.com/
http://www.djaerotech.com/dj_product/chrysalis2m.html

Since you won't be flying with experienced soaring pilots do yoursef a big favor and get a video called Secrets of Thermal Soaring from Radio Carbon Arts. See:
http://www.radiocarbonart.com/Pages/products.html
It will save you a great many days of trial and error in teaching yourself to thermal soar.

The third thing to get is a proper histart. The best value comes from:
http://www.aerofoam.com/hosemonster.html
The mandrel formed rubber tubing in these histarts will last about four times as long as extruded latex rubber tubing and will store more energy for a given line tension, giving a higher launch. Get the high start with 100 feet of rubber. You have the space to use it and you will benefit from the extra launch height while you are learning to thermal.

One of the things I highly recommend is to travel to Ft. Wayne and spend a flying session or two with the LOFT club. One of these visits should be for the first flights of your finished model. If you are in northwestern Indiana it might be closer to visit the SOAR club near Chicago. Sailplaners are the most friendly and welcoming people you will meet anywhere.

Total budget a bit over $200 not counting travel expenses.
Old 12-01-2002, 04:26 AM
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hattend
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

I highly recommend any of the "Bird" series of gliders from Skybench.com.

A variety of sizes depending on how big or small you want to go.

Don
Old 12-01-2002, 10:18 AM
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Ollie
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

I forgot two things.

You will need a square battery pack. You can buy a new one or you can partially disassemble your old pack and fold two of the cells over the other two. This may require cutting and resoldering the middle jumper. Then just tape it all over with vinyl electrical tape. If you buy a new pack, consider one with 600 MAH AAE size high capacity cells in a flat pack. They will be slimmer than the 700 MAH square pack of AA size cells.

The Chrysalis has a V-tail and would require a transmitter with a programmable mixing function or an onboard mixer for about $20 or $25.
Old 12-01-2002, 12:31 PM
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fly-nerd
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Default gliders

IS THERE A GLIDER CLUB IN KENTUCKY? I LIVE IN VERY SOUTHERN INDIANA. I WILL TAKE THE ADVISE AND DO THINGS IN THAT ORDER. IS THERE THERMAL FLYING IN THE WINTER? THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERT HELP AND SENDING ME DOWN THE RIGHT ROAD
THANY YOU
FLYNERD
Old 12-01-2002, 01:42 PM
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Jack Hyde
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

There is a club in Louisville.
Old 12-01-2002, 02:12 PM
  #11  
Ollie
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Default Glider Question From Newbie

BLUEGRASS SOARING SOCIETY,
OSCAR L JONES
2424 CREEKVIEW CT
LEXINGTON KY 40514-1417
859.223.7212
[email protected]

There are thermals in winter. It is the difference in temperatue of spots on the ground and the temperature lapse rate with altitude that produces thermals. It takes about a four degree or more difference between adjacent patches of groun to start a thermal. the greater the temperature lapse with altitude, the stronger the thermals will be. A bare area of dry soil surrounded by snow makes good thermals, as an example.

Histarts do not perform well at low temperature. I once ruined a perfectly good histart by trying to use it in zero degree temperatures. Winches are probably best for launching at temperatures below freezing. They do take some technique to launch wood gliders safely without folding wings. Learning about operating winches is another benefit from visiting a soaring club.

Slope soaring can be fun in the winter, especially if you use a muffler to enclose the transmitter and both hands to keep them warm.
Old 12-01-2002, 04:21 PM
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DAV
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Default Some things you might be interested in.

Hi Flynerd,

I am from NorthCentral Indiana and I have some electric sailplane items that you might be interested in. I am into nitro fixed wing and starting with heli's.

Due to health problems a guy at our club sold me some electric parts, sailplanes, books, etc. He wanted me to have them because he seems to think that I have helped the club here a lot.

If you are interested, contact me at [email protected]

Would be a very in-expensive way for you to start.

I just do not want to hassle with posting everything, (at this time) or deal with the shipping, low-balling and all the other things involved in selling things.

I have a digital camera and can send pics, or can give you my telephone # if you are interested.

Thanks,
DAV
Old 12-01-2002, 06:59 PM
  #13  
fly-nerd
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Default glider

i have found a sailplane club in louisville--1-1 1/2 hr from me
thanks fflynerd
Old 12-20-2002, 07:36 AM
  #14  
slopeboy
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Default beginner plane

Flynerd, Try going to the RC swap meets or ebay or classified in this site. IE sailplanes and gliders. Late!

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