ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
I don't know enough yet to really add scientific/engineering input, but I do know that some of the highest flying full-scale airplanes out there have very long, very skinny wings.
True,, but also true that there are reynolds number problems when going from large to small.
That being said, how many reading this thread have seen a current generation F3C freeflight model using a folding wing to go from low aspect ratio for a 450-500 foot climb in 5 seconds to a high aspect ratio for a sailplane-like glide?
Not sure how/if that approach could be applied to the project under discussion, but those models are sure impressive to watch, and the restrictions on power/engine run vs duration provide food or thought.
jess