Gliders > Slope Soaring
Second model
rogallo:
I agree with all the points above, but since the first model was a traditional wing fuse and tail config, I was only suggesting a foamie in so far as you will end up flying it more than repairing, good to see a discussion forming though.
Fred, what do you think?
R
Peter:
I think another consideration is widening the envelope of conditions you can fly in. If you build a really light glider as your first model, build something that will handle windier conditions to follow. Or the other way round. That way you will be able to fly more. I am with the wing-fuselage-tail brigade! The old Middle Phase is not a bad option - I got good value out of mine but it was the rudder-elevator set-up. The aileron version might be a good progression model. A lot to be said for wings held on with rubber bands rather than bolted down and ready to be ripped out (I speak from experience!).
Happy Days:
I agree with Peter. The only downside of rubber band secured wings that I found was that not all models can easily facilitate rubber bands to hold their wings on. (they also add a tad of weight and drag.) For those models that use a screw to secure the wing I found that using nylon screws with a hole drilled through the head and just into the very top of the screws' shank helps create sufficient weakness to allow the screw to break, and the wings to separate from the fuse, in the event of an "unconventional landing" ::)
Fred:
Hi all :)
Sorry for the silence, have to work from times to times :'(
So, here is my 2 cents :) I would agree with the majority. A "standard" platform, in my view, would be better to learn for a few reasons:
> Shape: you get use to it. I know, I know, but that is important :)
> Better to start with all the options! Ailerons, RUDDER!!, Airbrakes etc etc than the other way.
> Stability: I like flying wings, but they can be a handful. They are fun to fly, easy to repair, but they are awkward to launch, see etc etc
> Size: It does matter! :) Bigger flies better. If that flies better, you fly a lot. If you fly a lot, you progress faster
> Versatile: The range of flying conditions without breaking to much of a sweat to stay in the air is in my opinion far wider on a conventional platform. Ballast or not in some cases. And the more often you fly... :)
I like the Weasel, but in a slope like Kilakee, you have to fly relatively far from you in the lift band... And all you see is a weird dot in the sky. Very hard to judge the position etc etc in my opinion, but the same for pretty much the flying wings as they tend to be smaller.
So, in that, if I had to pick a second glider, I would definitely go for an Easyglider or equivalent, like the Radian (not sure if that one is still made I have to say).
Coming from me, it's weird, but go for a foamy! They are easy to fix, even on the spot, and again, if after a bad landing, crash etc, you can fix the thing at the slope with a bit of cyano and tape, that will keep you going. And the more you fly... :)
Alternatively, because this is a learning machine, you can go for something a bit less glidery like an EasyStar. I know, I can here the cringe from here, but the goal is to learn to fly and progress :) Pretty gliders will come after.
So, in a nutshell, second model:
EasyGlider (electric or not)
Radian (if that still exist)
Powered alternatives:
Easystar
Bixler (Hobbyking stuff)
Rookie (graupner)
So some are not pretty machines, but they are here for you to learn until you are confident enough to launch and fly your pride and joy :)
Now... We need to talk radios!
What about we create a Beginners's section?
billscottni:
I would go easyglider, phoenix 2000 over the Radian pro. Radian Po is an odd model, no 2 examples seem to fly the same and they can be difficult to get to fly well. There's also the other Multiplex models like Heron and Cularis.
If anyone can get their hands on decent EPP there are also plans available for Stan Yeo's old epp models, most of which were excellent flyers
http://phoenixmp.com/acatalog/Stan_s_EPP_Plans.html
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