DeferredDefect

Hello
I just finished my first sailplane, a Dynaflite Daydream. I have been flying glow for a several years now, and am having fun, but have always liked to
try flying a sailplane anyways! Unfortunately, nobody in our club flies true sailplanes, only powered ones. I have never flown it outside of hand launched
"trim flights". It seems to fly great, but I have no knowledge of using hi-starts, slope, or any other way of launching it.I do not plan on making it electric.
Does anyone have advice on how to go about its first "real" flights ?

Thank you !

Graeme

soarhead-RCU

Research some of the post's by Aeajr. Ed has written much on setting up, launching and flying sailplanes on this forum. If you have flown power planes, youve got it made, the rest will just happen for you. Get your CG as per plans and hand toss untill you get a nice level glide and put it on the hi-Start and give it a shot.......... As far as catching a thermal its kind of like fishing, takes patience and a feel for the air around you and the visual "nibbles" your plane will show you as you are flying. It a real rush when you core a thermal and speck your plane out, esp. the first time.

Happy Flying
Bob

tjfr

Graeme,although i'm no expert but i've never flown anything except sailplanes.As of now i wouldn't fly anything except electric gliders.Nonethe less basically lay out your hight start facing the wind.Grab the highstart ring and start walking backwards until it is stretched to the appropriate amount.The high start should tell you about how many paces.Hook up your plane and give it a mild upward toss.Not too steep and not to hard of a throw.You must keep a small amount of down elevator on the glider while it is rising or it will fly off the high start prematurely.Also guide the rudder to keep going straight into the wind.At the top of it's climb
a little up elevator will pull it off the high start.Then level the plane out and have fun.After a long time of flying with high starts electric is the only way to go.Read my review of my new plane the Dynam Sonic 185
high performance sailplane on this forum and also you can see a video of it on Nitroplanes.com Hope that helps and God Bless terry

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Welcome to RC Soaring. Just keep asking questions and we will do everything we can to help you.

Take a look at these resources. Take some time and read through. Then ask, ask, ask! Let's make this a 100 post thread.

Resources.

The New Glider Pilot's Handbook
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=251
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_47...tm.htm#4798438



Learning to use a hi-start
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1171131/tm.htm

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Deleted duplicate post

DeferredDefect

Thanks for the tips!

I plan on purchasing a high start this week- any suggestions on brands, rubber legnths, etc?
Also, what role does wind play in soaring - especially for the first few flights?
And finally, how long should the first flight be?
Thank you again!

     Graeme

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

I don't know the Dynaflite Daydream, bit I think it is a 100" glider.

The Hosemonster series has a great reputation, but I have never used them.
http://www.aerofoam.com/hosemonster.html
If you want a complete Hosemonster hi-start
2M. Comp/100ft. rubber 500' line $110.00

If you plan to go to 3M gliders in the near future, go with the 3M version. You can launch smaller ships with it. Just don't pull back as far.


The Pinnacle, from NE Sailplane, seems to be the standard at our sailplane
club. I have a Pinnacle and like it a lot.

If you are solidly in 2-2.5 meter sailplanes and plan to be there for 2-3
years, I would recommend the Pinnacle Standard from NE-Sailplanes. It will give you a
solid launch and the whole package works nicely. It should also launch 2.5
meter planes well and some lighter 3 meter planes. $80 for a complete
set-up.
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=875


If you are on a tight budget, this Dynaflite will get you in the air. I think
the Pinnacle or the Hose Monster hi-starts are better quality and will last
longer, but this will launch your 2 meter planes quite well. Not sure how well it will launch 100 inch.
Several new flyers in the club use them. - $65
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXE636&P=7


If you think you might move into 3 Meter planes by the end of your second
season, you might consider a stronger hi-start. It will give your 2M a
stronger launch than it needs, but it won't overstress it. You just won't
pull it as far.

The NESail Large will launch 2M and 3M planes. I have launched my
2M Spirit off this and stronger hi-starts many times- $86
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=874

sailjunky

Hi starts are so simple to use and a great way to launch your glider... I fly every glider i can get my hands on and let me say this... After you get comfortable with your high start you will find different ways to gain more altitude on your launch.. I constantly hold slight up elevator when my gliders are going up the high start and at the top of the launch i push the nose forward for a split second then pull back.. Ussuallys give me an extra 50 to 100 feet of altitude... Launching a glider is very easy and when you catch your first thermal very thrilling.... I do not use power assisted gliders so i have no idea about them just for the fact i fly td contests...
Go out there have fun with your glider and you will pick it up very fast..

snuts

Here is a good high-start, have one myself. Available here in Canada. Hope it helps, Snuts.
http://www.greathobbies.com/producti...rod_id=DYF5002

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

That is the same One that I list from Tower. Again, fine for a 2M or a light 100" if you are on a budget. But I would recommend the others as higher quality and able to launch larger planes.

snuts

Ed I realize my link is of the same product. My link was provided in the beleif of supporting your local hobby shop. As both Great Hobbies, and the original poster are Canadian.
-Snuts-

snuts

Also exchange rate makes Great Hobbies usually a better deal for us Canadians
If you can't shop locally, at least shop nationally.
-Snuts-

DeferredDefect

Thanks again!
I am on a budget, so I am going to purchase the Dynaflte 2 m hi-start.
Where should the towline hook be? I lost the plans after completing the airframe, and I have found conflicting information for the Daydream on the internet. It sounds like it should be a bit ahead of the CG, but I am not sure if this is for advanced flyers, or beginners.
Any suggestions?

Thank you
          Graeme

snuts

http://manuals.hobbico.com/dyf/dyfa2...eam-manual.pdf
Dynaflight manual, page 23. 67mm aft of the leading edge at the root.
My starting point would be 1/4" ahead of the actual C/G. But try and get as close as possible to manufacturers suggestion. *This is at 90 deg, when level*
Then move it back to just ahead of the C/G as you get comfortable.
Enjoy, Snuts

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

No problem. I was confirming that it was the same one and that it is well suited for 2M and light 100" gliders. but I typically don't recommend it beyond 2M gliders. For larger planes I recommend the NESail or Hosemonster hi-starts.