JWHITACRE

I wanted to make an option for those days that I don't feel like rolling out the histart. Cutting the nose off a brand new fuse was unthinkable so a power pod was the most logical answer. I had an OS 35fp handy so that is what I built the pod for. It has a 4oz tank so getting to 500+ feet will never be an issue when it is used. The fact that it will rubber band on is key for me so that I can take it off in a few seconds and be back to a pure sailplane. Here's a few pics of the finished product, I'm going to give it a try this weekend.

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

Good job there JW.

Here is a video of the test flight using my home made "E" pod which is secured with electrical tape. Battery, speed control, and motor are in the pod. It has saved me a few times on the slope!

http://www.youtube.com/user/41nacnud.../5/5o5HsgYPIN8

JWHITACRE

Awesome vid, great flying! I love those "aircraft point of view" videos. That slope doesn't look like it's landing friendly[X(] It looked like there is all kinds of stuff waiting to poke holes in the covering.

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

Brush, rocks, guardrails on the road, tourists, cars, hang/para gliders.....we have it all! Most gliders have a hard finish. Only the real light ones are iron on covered.
That vid taught me to always chek the wing bolts twice!!

JWHITACRE

I got to try out my power pod today! I tried some old 10% fuel and it cut out after 20 seconds in the air. After that the new jug of 5% was busted out and everything fell into place. I cut the engine after 5mins of run time(upon landing I found I still had half a tank) and she just kept climbing! The flight ended up going for 30 minutes but could of gone longer. I had to force her in due to rain clouds rolling our way. Here's a vid of the climbout and landing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz4Vr7asPDg

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

Nice!

JWHITACRE

It rained pretty good from the time I got off work til around 730pm. After that I ran up to the ball field for another . I didn't have a camera man with me this time so I did it myself. I got 2 pics and a short vid of the landing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jlz2jkZ1-8

JWHITACRE

Well guys the spirit got into a fight with a rogue tree branch at the far end of the field. I didn't think I was as close to it but it aint the first glider to meet its fate to that treeline. The left panel caught the branch and it the rest of the plane swung into the tree. If it had stayed up there things would of played out better but that never happens lol. It fell out, landed on the left wing half smashing it then the rest landed on the tail section ripping it and part of the fuse off.
So the total damage is:
Left panel is done, right has damage at the root and tip
rear of fuse is gone and the rudder has the rattle of parts in it.

Due to the need for a third of the fuse and at least 1 new wing half to be built from scratch, I'm not sure if it will be rebuilt.