gotime242

Hey guys, im going to be buidling a 11ft span glider, and was thinking i might make the fuse to be able to have a engine strapped on right above the wing. And also maybe put some landing gear on it (tricycle), i know im gettin crazy here.... but what size engine do you think would be able to make this thing take-off.

Would a .40 do?

gotime242

Oh and it doesnt need to have a lot of power or anything, just something to make it fly, even if its real slow. I dont need it to climb insanely or anything.

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

Why would you want to get fuel on a glider?

I would think a 40 would give it enough to get up, but wouldn't do much.

gotime242

I just want some way to get it off the ground other than a winch.

I think a .40 would prob do the trick, just to get it up....slowly...

What does everyone else think?

jetranger-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

A 15 should be more than enough unless it weighs a ton

theox

I had a Fox C/L .19 on a 100" Monarch.

That was WAY more than enough.

BMatthews

It's more the weight than a size issue.

For example I have a radio control old timer that's 84 inch wingspan. It weighs 5 1/2 pounds and has an old loop scavenged OS 35 on it. The climb is well above the "uphill glide" class. More like a 45 degree angle at decent speed. At a 60 degree angle it's hanging on the prop too much. With it idleing in a well trimmed glide only 3 clicks of throttle turns it into an uphill glide. Yes, it climbs on only 3 clicks above a low but reliable idle. This model would easily fly with a 25 on it.

I'd say if you don't go over 5 to 6 pounds a 25 should do it.

The 35 to 40 option should be good for up to about 7 to 9 pounds IMHO.

Your glider should be pretty clean aerodynamically. Certainly less drag than my 6 x 10 cross sectioned fuselage with the 6 feet of 1/8 music wire for landing gear. So the size won't matter in this case. Just weight and drag.

gotime242

Hmm, thats a good point. And there sure will be enough lift at that slow of a speed with what ever engine.

I might just try the .40 b/c its about the same price as a .25, and can always use the extra power. Like i said, this thing has a 11-12 ft w/s.

BMatthews

With the 40 I can guarantee that you won't need the engine for more than 60 to 90 seconds before it's darn near at spec altitude. Probably more like 45 to 60. But that way it gets quiet faster...

But you're right. It's only a few bucks more and may be a better size for you later.

SST

My Feedback: (2)

I once put a Cox Medalion .15 on the nose of a 100" sailplane and it was way too much...Would do loops out of your hand! Save the .40 stuff for planes that can use it. Unless maybe you want to see if you can re-kit in flight...

esport33

My Feedback: (2)

Desert Aircraft 100cc twin should get it

Kaos Rulz

I use a TD 09 on an Airtonic's Olympic II (99"), and a Bird of Time. The BOT is almost 10' in wingspan and the engine pulls it steady to speck altitude with 1.5 oz of fuel.

gotime242

Hmm... i would like to buy a AP .15, so i could make a simple series 1/2a later on. It would be great if that little engine could pull this up. Hold on, im going to go weigh it right now....

Hey not bad, looks like its around 3-4 lbs ready to fly.

So, you think a .15 +hand lauch could get this thing flyin?

gotime242

Oh, and do they make folding props for such engines? Ive been out of the game for a while...

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

Man, if you can make a .15 work on it, I would go that way first. It will be lighter when you want to shut it off and soar. Seems like someone would do a folding prop. Look at hobby lobby or
http://www.dchobby.com/fuselages/ or heres a bunch of other links.

http://www.srcfa.ca/Apps/Links/Linklist.asp?TopicID=3

hattend

My Feedback: (20)

Depends on the wing loading. I used to launch a 10 foot span sailplane with a TeeDee .049. It would get to 200-300 feet in 3 minutes. Wing Loading was about 9oz/sqft

I used the same setup on my 2 meter and 100" Sagittas.

A .40 would be overkill unless it weighs a lot.

Don

gotime242

Yeah, a .40 would have been rediculous. It would have been a whole ~landing gear type model with a .40, but still. Like i said, ive been out of the game for a while, and forgot how big a .40 actually is.

Rob Glover

Gliders don't got no steenking motors. You need to go ask some slimer guys that might know the answer. If a long shaft with real balls won't do it I can't help you.
Rob G

gotime242

Ok...what if i have no possible way to get this thing in the air. I live in FLat ft. myers, and dont have a winch or hi-start available to me. What do you think about it now, a glider wont be too fun for the 15 seconds from your hand to the ground if i were to toss it....

Jeez man, calm down.


To everyone else: Im going to see what i can do with a Ap .15. Thanks for the help.

Robert Bauer

My Feedback: (1)

Take a ride up 41 to Punta Gorda this Sunday. Turn left at Marian Ave (just before Charlotte Harbor bridge) Take it all the way to the end (by Ponce De Leon Park) SPELLING? you will see condos to the right of the park and go past that to where the glider guys will be flying. Check it out, you won't be sorry.

gotime242

I always meant to go out there, never did though. Always flew with the sea-hawks in cape coral.

I might check that out some time, or maybe on sat. I just have to warn you, im a young guy. Ill be 18 in april. I dont know how well ill fit in.

Robert Bauer

My Feedback: (1)

OK Young Guy - There are all types of young guys. Some fit in and the dopes don't. You can learn a lot just by being there. Even a blind pig finds an acorn now and then.

rrowley

What kind of engine to put in it?

I would look into a Hacker B50 series or depending upon the budget maybe a Mega 45/3 or one of the new AXI motors. I have a 9 foot glider that weighs 64oz that a Mega 30/3 pulls up nicely. That way you can put a folding prop on it and it won't have too much drag after you turn it off.

For the most part we us electric motors not glow engines to put up gliders.

Just my opinion.

BillHarris

>Gliders don't got no steenking motors. You need to go ask some slimer guys that might know the answer. If a long shaft with real balls won't do it I can't help you.<

Not everyone has the fortune of being able to fly with rocket scientists and their wenches.

Fitting a small glo engine to a glider is a good way for the new to get a lot of quality stick time. Unlike electric, a glo engine is a low-overhead motive source. A 2-m sailplane with a .061 glo engine will run for a couple of minutes and attain an altitude of over 1000' and approaching 2000'. The pilot has ample time to look for and play with thermals on the way down.

Ain't for the purists, but, then, not everyone prefers ham sandwiches.

gotime242

First off, im not the "new". I used to fly for many years, and have flow everything from slow flyers to pylon racers.

I dont know what im going to do yet. I think im going to get back with my old club, and start on that winch again. My recent visits to the hobby store have made me realize again how expensive all this is.

I test flew (hand lauched) my glider yesterday, seems pretty solid and stable. But onced balanced, it weighed a little more than expected. Due to all that and the airfoil itself, i can tell this is gona be somewhat fast. ~Not always a bad thing.

I definetly want to check out punta gorda some time. Thanks for the help everyone! Im gona do what this thing is meant to do, glide and glide hard. And if i find the need to fly it otherwise..i will do so.

Thanks again!