RE: old radio vs new
At least for you it's an option to upgrade your radio. When I came back to the hobby after a 15 year lapse I had no choice but to replace my old AM radios due to the freq changes. My old gear was not upgradeable so it was time to get a new system. I do know that the next radio I get will be a 2.4 system so I don't have to worry about others on my frequency. Yes... I'm a greedy sot and like to actually fly when I'm at the field. Jeff
Posted on: 11/19/2009 7:10 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266045

RE: Adding ailerons
I agree with Da Rock to a point. Yes it is much easier to build in ailerons while making the wing, but they CAN be modified afterwards if it's really needed. Besides the dihedral there are also a couple of other things to take into account. First of them is the airfoil used on the wing. If it's flat bottomed ailerons are an iffy addition at best from my experience. The second thing is your level of building experience. If you've built several wings in the past it shouldn't be too hard for you to make the modifications provided yo take your time and think it through first. You'll have to lay in a sub-spar and work out your control system etc. The last thing to consider is the weight gain you're going to end up with and can the design handle it? There's no sense in making all the changes to the wing if it's going to snap on you the first time you have to pull out of a dive. Ailerons will make it much easier to remain in "The box" while on tow and are a worthwhile addition if done right. The last plane I modified like that was a Windfree. I took it to full span flaperons and they work great. Through mixing I can use the control surfaces as flaps for landing/light lift/speed when reflexed or ailerons for roll axis control. BTW... It would be easier to give you a more exact answer to your question if we knew which plane you're talking about. There are a lot of 100 inch planes out there and each design has it's little quirks. To answer Skeeters question... That depends on the wing and airfoil of the plane. Some work better when perfectly flat others work better with 5 degrees or more of dihedral. A top mounted wing can get away with a bit less than a shoulder or mid-mounted wing can.
Posted on: 10/29/2009 12:36 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9212292

RE: R/C Soaring Book
I remember the book quite well. It has been released in several different editions with minor changes along the way and different editions have different covers. It was published by Radio Controlled Modeler Magazine. I', not sure who handles the publication of it currently. BTW.... My edition was white with blue line drawings and text. If you want a ton of newer info on sailplanes you should check out the Radio Carbon Arts DVD series. Well worth the cost of the disks. cover everything from floaters to Dynamic soaring. Slope to thermals as well
Posted on: 8/29/2009 2:27 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9054523

RE: New to RC gliders/sailplanes???
I myself started out on a 2 channel woody plane but picked up a 4 channel radio so I'd have expansion available for after I'd learned the basics. There are a couple of good "Trainer" gliders out there that don't cost an arm and a leg. Check Tower Hobbies to get a better idea on those. Easy star and up star are a couple of them. There are others out there Like the Radian electric powered that are also very good planes and good thermal ships. If there is a club near you I'd [u][b]STRONGLY[/b][/u] suggest that you contact them before you buy anything. Most clubs are willing to show a new comer the ropes and their help can keep you from making mistakes that could make you want to leave the hobby before you've really had a chance to get started the right way.
Posted on: 8/29/2009 2:02 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9053596

RE: Looking for e-sailplane suggestion
I agree with Tinkerpilot. The chrysalis is a very good plane and is an easy build. You could also use that motor battery combo in something like a SIG Riser 2 meter which is another easy build. Last suggestion I can come up with off the top of my head is a Gentle Lady which in my experience actually flies better with some extra weight to it.
Posted on: 8/22/2009 10:50 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9036781

RE: New to sailplanes
Welcome to the wonderful world of sailplanes! I will warn you that they're like Lays' potato chips, ya can't stop at one! It's also the one flying hobby that you'll spend a lifetime mastering because the sky isn't the same every day. Some days you won't be able to find lift to save your life and others you can't get your planes to come back down. Like Cpt Nifty said... Check out some of the other sailplane forums and be sure to join up with RC Soaring Digest. You can download most of the back issues and it's all free! Bill and Bunny do a great job with it and you can tell it's a labor of love. On RC Groups you may be able to find someone that's closer to you than you think that can help you in person. A little hand on instruction can go a long way. If you're a builder, you may want to check out the "Oz Balsa Brewery and Beach Club" over at http://www.rcgliderandsailplane.com/ Lots of good guys with Balsa dust for brains there. If we can't help ya with a building problem, then it pretty much can't be done. We do woody planes and some electric powered and slope there depending on where the member is located. Another thing you may want to look into are the Radio Carbon Arts DVDs on soaring. TONS of good info on them. From how to build to reading the air and understanding how thermals work is all covered. Hope this help you out. Feel free to contact me or post here if you have more questions. Jeff
Posted on: 8/17/2009 8:51 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9024058

RE: polyhedral wing for a glider
You don't want to go with a full symmetrical as you want a bit more lift on the top of the wing. Since it sounds like you're doing mostly slope flying, you can still use a flat bottomed poly wing if you're just starting out but add some flaps and a ballast system to expand it's usable range. Ballast is great because it will smooth out the flight of a plane that's getting tossed around by excessive winds. Just be sure you secure it well and that it's located on the C/G of the plane. A few extra ounces will make a BIG difference in how a plane handles in a stronger wind. Just don't over load it to the point that it stresses the wing too much. Flaps are just a personal choice for me because they can be a lot of fun on a slope. I modified an old Bob Martin PussyKat 2M with flaps and on the slope I could "park it" in place. Just point it into the wind, drop the flaps and it would hover in place without any hands on the controls. Good for taking quick breaks and stretching out the neck if you've been up for a long time. Flaps will also allow you to use lighter lift on calm days and give you more speed when reflexed upwards a bit so you can move out of areas of sinking air quickly. Since you're out in the desert I would also suggest that you glass the bottom of any plane you decide on. Landing out there can be very rough on a fuselage. I used to fly out there (Borrego area) and the rocks were hell on a MonoKote finish. Glass and paint is the way to go for sure.
Posted on: 8/2/2009 12:44 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982827

RE: Modifying a really old 3m sailplane
Before we consider any mods to suggest I for one would need some more information on the wing itself. Is it a poly wing or regular dihedral? Flat bottomed air foil or something faster? A picture or two would be a great help in coming up with suggestions for you and instructions on how to go about them. Jeff
Posted on: 8/2/2009 12:11 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8982748

RE: polyhedral wing for a glider
Hi Chuck, You're going to get different answers from anyone you talk to about this subject. It all boils down to what you like best. Poly wings are USUALLY not part of a "Full House" style of sailplane. RES of REF is the usual configuration. Poly wings are handy on a RE ship and will thermal better than a flat wing unless the flat wing has ailerons. The poly shape will cause the plane to roll into the turn but not as crisply as a wing with ailerons. Poly wings will slope with less lift than a symmetrical airfoil wing but may require ballast when the wind picks up. If you haven't played with ballasting yet, do so! It makes a world of difference at times. There are a lot of factors that will determine what style of plane will be best for any set of conditions. You're not going to want to try to fly something like a Gentle Lady in 20 MPH winds. Same goes for trying to fly a symmetrical foil wing as a thermal ship. Some things just don't go together. It would help if you could describe your flying site or post a picture of it and give the usual conditions found there on an average day. That would make it easier to make suggestions.
Posted on: 7/31/2009 12:06 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8977942

RE: Need ya'lls help!
The Velcro sould work great with the EZ Glider. It does have limitations though. I wouldn't suggest trying it on anything larger than say a 3 meter woodie plane. Any larger and it may disconnect early. (...and usually at the WORST time as per Murphys' Law)
Posted on: 7/29/2009 7:28 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8974634

RE: Need ya'lls help!
I know there's a couple that come with the release installed already. I just can't think of the exact maker and or model right off the top of my head. I'll see what I can find for you later. What price range are you looking at? Here's an idea that will get you by until you can find a model with a "normal" release. Take a 2"X1" section of Velcro and put one side of it on the underside of the nose of the plane and attach the other side to your tow line. The Velcro will hold the two together for towing. To release, you just give the glider a quick shot of down elevator followed by full up. The Velcro will pull away and the glider is then on its own. Best thing about this is it's fast, easy and CHEAP! Jeff
Posted on: 7/29/2009 3:55 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8974165

RE: I could really use some help.
Hey Mike. Do you happen to know Liquidity? He's in Byron as well and I just finished up a EP Gentle Lady for him. He seems to be very happy with the flight performance but he supplied the motor and though I know it's a Hacker knock-off I can't tell you where he got it. I enclosed the motor in the nose, had a 2 cell lipo and the RX behind that and the servos in the stock location. I used mini servos and the balance came out pretty close. Jeff
Posted on: 7/8/2009 10:04 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8917497

RE: You gotta laugh!
Yeah.... Those new toys (spoilers) can be a big help. Look at it this way Oz, it could have ended up in a tree or with a lot more damage to the bird. Just remember that it's a good idea to check out spoilers and how they effect the flight of a new plane while you're at least three mistakes above the ground. [;)] Some planes like to nose dive if you hit full spoilers and it sounds like your situation was not the time to be finding that out. How do you have the controls on the radio set up for the spoilers? I usually have them on the throttle channel if it's a RES plane. That way I can open them to different heights. About 1/2 way for spoiler action and full for brakes etc etc etc. Jeff
Posted on: 7/3/2009 11:38 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8905003

RE: new here
Welcome to the forum Steve. Always gald to have a new face here. Great looking Bearcat you got there. I've got a mate over there in River Head NSW that is also named Steve. If you're anything like him you'll do fine here. Jeff
Posted on: 6/29/2009 6:05 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8891975

RE: Great Planes Spirit info
Echostud, I'm not the one to be asking about electric systems as I'm also a newbie when it comes to them. I've been using the E-Flite motors which are marked with their glow fuel equals. In my Paragon (3 meter) I used a E-flite power 25 and it climbs our great. On the Spectra I used a Power 15 and it flat out cooks on climb out. I get several clibs to altitude on a single charge on both of them. I know there are motors that are more powerful and less expensive, but I've had good luck with the E-Flite equipment and see no reason to change at this point. I'm mostly a pure sailplane pilot and only use the electrics when I want to get a quick flight in and don't really have time to set up the highstart.
Posted on: 6/23/2009 10:20 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8875675

RE: Great Planes Spirit info
If you want to electrify a Spirit, why not just go with a Spectra instead? Same basic plane, same company and pretty much the same parts set. Upgrade it to a brushless motor with a Lipo pack and you'll have a pretty good EP glider. Here's a shot my my Spectra. As you can see it's just a spirit with a motor.
Posted on: 6/19/2009 10:03 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8865880

RE: Spectre Wing
Cool looking wing layout Dave! Where did you find that one?
Posted on: 6/12/2009 4:11 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8847239

RE: Witched Women ( see how high she flys)GL bash
Don't feel bad OZ. If it hasn't been raining the wind has been blowing here. We can't catch a break at all it seems. Can't wait to hear a flight report and see some pics of the final product.
Posted on: 6/7/2009 11:55 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8834274

RE: show us your gliders
I know the video you're talking about. I followed the instructions to do the celtic graphics on my Spectra.
Posted on: 5/31/2009 12:04 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8812688

RE: show us your gliders
Hey Dave!!! Glad to see you're still alive. Hadn't seen any posts from you lately. Hope everything is going good. Jeff
Posted on: 5/31/2009 12:01 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8812681

RE: show us your gliders
Great looking finish there Steve! If the BOT and Sagitta look as good I can't wait to see pictures of them as well! Jeff
Posted on: 5/30/2009 6:15 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8811935

RE: Power conversion advice needed for: http://www.nitroplanes.com/4vedi4marfgi.html
Caeser, I'd go with an electric system as it would be easier to install than a nitro engine. Something with power equal to a .29-.35 glow fuel would do you good. 3-4 cell lipo and matching ESC w/ BEC for radio power. I won't go as far as to suggest a brand of motor/radio/Lipo as everyone has their own favorites. The radio will have to have at least 6 channels if you want the retract landing gear as well. Something with programmable mixing between spoilers and elevator will make it easier to fly.
Posted on: 5/24/2009 11:36 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8795814

RE: Some days your the bug other days the windsheild
Actually TRUE CA de-bonder is nitro-methane and water based and has zero acetone in it Bill. While Acetone will remove CA it also has the tendency of taking off finishes, melting plactics of many types and smelling like cr@p. On a finished model I'd stick to the de-bonder if for no other reason than to keep from making even more repair work out of a simple project.
Posted on: 5/22/2009 10:18 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8791371

RE: Nemesis
You don't need more holes... Just make the existing ones more effective. Take a couple of plastic spoons and cut the handle and back 1/3 of it off. Then epoxy them into place over the existing vents. They'll act like scoops and direct more air to the motor. Cheap, easy and effective. You MIGHT want to consider adding one more vent on the top of the fuselage if you feel that the motor is still getting too warm. Just don't weaken the nose too much in that area. A less than perfect landing could cause the nose to crack on you and "m sure you don't want that to happen. Jeff
Posted on: 5/22/2009 10:12 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8791352

RE: Nemesis
Looks like a nice little "pocket rocket" there Jean. It should be considering that you're pulling 1/2 again as many amps as my 3 meter Paragon! I'd strongly suggest that ya don't blink!
Posted on: 5/22/2009 1:35 AM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8789260

RE: Small ARF electric sailplane?
Check the Electric sailplane section over at NSP http://www.nesail.com/categories.php?subcatID=12&PHPSESSID=26c572f561b28ab0b3d2d63cbbb35bb1 THey have a couple in the sapn range you mentioned that you can check out. Most have a pretty good price.
Posted on: 5/21/2009 11:15 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8789018

RE: Some days your the bug other days the windsheild
Hey Oz... If you don't have any... get yourself some "Super solvent". It's a great CA de-bonder and should fix your little problem in just a few minuted. Most hobby shops should carry it of some other type of de-bonder.
Posted on: 5/21/2009 11:09 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8789005

RE: fuselage needed to be stronger!!
Ether move the wing forward or shorten the nose. If it is diving like that you're nose heavy. Try to balance it 1/3 of the way back from the leading edge as a start point. Gook luck
Posted on: 5/16/2009 1:17 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8773861

RE: Can anyone identify this model please?
It's a Slingsby T-21. I've got the same plans. ( only in better shape) I can send you a copy in PDF format that includes the rib templets if you like
Posted on: 5/16/2009 1:15 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8773854

RE: Sig riser?
CBM The Riser 100 is a great plane as well as a straight forward build. The wood in mine was first rate and I had no issues with the instructions. Be sure you include the spoilers on yours. First big thermal you it with it and you'll be needing them! Take your time n the build and use wood glue where ever possible. It's lighter than CA when dry and still has a bit of flex. Wood glue will hold (due to the flex) when CA will break due to it being brittle. Also be sure to install a ballast mounting post under the wing so you can fly in higher winds. For mine I used a 3/8 X 1/2 inch spruce brace between formers 3 and 4 with a 1/4X20 bolt and wing nut to hold the lead plates. I cast up plates in 1-2-4-and 10 ounce weights and they will all fit on the post at the same time if needed. Make sure that the bolt and weights are centered on the CG and to double check the balance after adding/removing ballast. Here's a pic of my Riser 100. Hard to miss in the air with those colors! ;)
Posted on: 5/13/2009 12:58 PM by Author "scaflock" in the forum "RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8765693