I just got my first glider (Discus 2.6m) and I want to maiden it soon. There are lots of hillsides where I live and usually wind, too. My question is; is there a genreal guideline regarding ideal wind cond?

How much is too much and how little is too little?

Stick man,

You will probably get better advice in the sailplane and glide forum there are slope fliers who visit there.

Stickman that is an almost impossible question to answer with hard numbers since wind is only just one part of the equation needed to provide that lift. The angle of the wind to the hill or ridge line is critcal as is the shape of the hill and its gradients on the way to the peak or ridge line.

For every great ridge site There has been one brave sole who was first to prove the hill.

Pick your selected hill that has enough room on top to land as well as space to land at the base for your first attempt.

If its a ridge line I use to prefer that the wind be within about twenty degrees of being perpendicular and I preferred a hill that had a gradual rise rather than cliff like.

John

John, I live in Mohave Valley and have been looking for a place to fly slope. Where do you fly?

High Dwight glad to meet you. No do not do any slopeing any more as I am a little too gympy in the hills with my wheelchair Was active in Germany during the sixties, in and around Los Angeles during the seventies.

Am however active here in Kingman at our field in aerotow and I use a GP Stearman for tow. Give us a visit and perhaps we can even do some tows.

Here is a link to our website and my contact info is there, give look.

http://kingmanmodelers.net/


John

With a bit of wind blowing up the hill, you should be good with 8 to 10 knots if its a good hill. Don't turn back into the hill on your turns and don't have a lot of crap below you like trees and buildings. They will screw up the lift. With the right conditions, you will have a blast. I love slopin. Long bent wings in very light winds are fun, long flat wings with more wind are a blast too!

Be careful on that flrst glider. sounds real nice..... Tell us about your site.. what's the terrain and more imporatnly what's on it.. rocks/stones.. or nice soft grass?

I know your itchin to maiden but it being your first sailplane and a rather large one at that... you may want to think about getting something cheap that's rc and tossing it off the hill first either storebought or homemade. For example.. I have lots of fun with one of the ten dollar foam gliders from Target that I cut ailerons and elevator into.....throw in some cheap micro servos, balance and your good to go. Obviosuly this will be off and flying in gophers belch but you'll get the idea of turning away from the hill and the ever present rotor conditions that are often at the top in the landing area. You'll be able to see how far out from the hill you can fly and still be in the liftband, etc..

Mike

Any good 15+ wind should keep you up on the right slope..

You are looking for a hill with a good rise and long straight face that will force the wind up and not around the hill.

Links to good flying sites in Washington.

Check out the RCG slope forum.. Lots of WA slope fliers there.
http://www.rcgroups.com/slope-97/


http://www.seattleareasoaringsociety...nues&Itemid=62

If you get to the SE side of the state check out Eagle and Kiona in the Tri-Cities.. Some of the best slopes on the west coast.
40-50pmh winds are not uncommon on Eagle.. bring ballast!

The real trick in your area is finding a place free of trees