GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland
Gliders => Slope Soaring => Topic started by: haydenc on March 30, 2008, 21:42:23 PM
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Hi All.
Have been interested in getting an RC Glider for some time. Eventually going to make a purchase in the next week or so.
Have flown RC Heli and Fixed wing but that was over 10 years ago.
Was thinking of getting Great Planes Spirit 2M.
Would this be a good model to start with ?
Open to suggestions as I know I have a lot to learn and don't want to make mistakes that I have done in other hobbies, so I will ask first.
Any help appreciated.
Charlie
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Hi Charlie,
Welcome to the forum ! :D :D
Well, the Spirit 2M is a very good choice for a beginner !
But if I may, I will choose something with ailerons, like the Spirit Elite (if you want to stay with the Spirit) or an Easyglider (not wood, but foam).
Ailerons will gives you more responses from the glider, and if you fly mostly at the slope, that will help you a lot in the turbulences, and to stay on the slope.
A rudder/elevator glider is really fine, but sometimes, the slow reactions (especially when the wind is coming from the back of the glider) can put you into trouble...
And flying with ailerons straight away, will prepare you better for the next stage ! :D
I hope that will answer part of your questions, but don't hesitate to ask more if you need it ! :D
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Hi Fred.
Thanks for coming back so quickly.
I had ruled out ailerons and flaps and had been thinking of a simple start.
Now I don't know.
I had a look at the Elite on the web and it seems a simple build, for all the building there is in it.
I would like to think I could handle ailerons and flaps but I am old and cautious.
I recently sold my HC and the radio gear and am left with an old JR Apex 5 Tx.
This doesn't have mixing capabilities and is in need of a new power supply.
I suppose I am reading too much tech stuff on the web and what I need to do is get a model and learn to fly it .
Do you know is there anyone flying gliders in the Drogheda area.
Thanks again.
Charlie
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Hi Charlie,
Well, flaps are not necessary for sure at this stage (don't build them) but I would go for the ailerons still.
Saying that, if you are really not sure and want to go precausiously (?), Rudder/elevartor is more than enough !
Just remember to nerver turn on the slope, but away from it ! :D :wink:
I know nobody from Drogheba area, maybe someone around knows ? :?:
You can also come to join us one week end when we are flying in Dublin, if you want to have a try !
We have a club glider (easyglider) that you can use for your training !
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Hi Charlie,
I have a rudder/elevator Spirit 2M - I can recommend it. The polyhedral makes this a very stable glider and even if the response is sluggish compared to an aileron-shod machine, it is a very easy glider to fly. Also pretty straightforward to build. Go for it!
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Thanks Fred and Peter.
I work shift and the next few weekends are occupied but I would love to take you up on the offer Fred. Wont be till late April though.
I hope by then to have my own Spirit by then.
It would be a great help to get pointers on flying it. So I will be in touch on your offer to
On further research I see it has optional spoilers. They would be a help when it comes to landing. Peter have you tried them ? Does the glider float when it gets into ground effect.
Loads to learn. but first I better get a glider.
2 M Spirit it will be.
Spent a lot of last night reading other topics on the forum.
Look forward to eventually flying.
Many thanks
Charlie
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You're welcome Charlie :D
And any time for coming flying with us !
We'll keep in touch !
You can also come to some meetings if you want to meet a bunch of lads...
20th of April, Cork Glide in
10th - 11th May ISR glide in at Mt Leinster
And all other week end at any slope, weather permitting of course :D
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You can also come to some meetings if you want to meet a bunch of lads...
20th of April, Cork Glide in
10th - 11th May ISR glide in at Mt Leinster...
... and the last one is with international attendees, this shows which importance the Irish glider scene has :lol:
Stephan
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:lol: :lol:
And quality Europeans pilots too ! :lol: :P :P
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Well that did'nt last long.
There I was all geared up.
Ready to go
Even downloaded a copy of the Instruction Manual and read it
2ce.
Ordered new slimline RX and Servos.
Then I said I wanted to order a 2M Spirit.
"What do you mean, out of production"
They had sold their last one only yesterday.
Just spent the morning on the net searching model shops all over the UK
NO 2M Spirit to be found anywhere
So the great search starts again.
Ah maybe I will wait till tomorrow.
A bit disheartened.
Thanks all for the encouragement so far.
Charlie
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Out of production ?? weird !
Just thinking... I have a "sophisticated Lady", still in box, with an extra fuselage...
If you can't find a Spirit and if you are interrested in that one...
I will certainly never build it, or maybe in 10 years for my daughter... :P
(http://www.carlgoldbergproducts.com/images/slady_01_bg.jpg)
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Thanks for the offer Fred but I think I have a fall back one.
Fling 2M.
Seems basic. Elevator and Rudder.
Yet it looks very sleek
Do you know anything BAD about them ?
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Really bad luck/timing with the Spirit 2M - a shame it is going out of production. I still have the plan here if you are interested in building one from scratch - I can send it to you if you like. Otherwise you could check out www.arthobby.com - they have some nice gliders including several 2 metre models. I bought a Falco V from that last year (1.5 m) and thought it was a very well produced - beautiful veneered wings. With the euro-dollar exchange rate the way it is going they are becoming good value. Fling 2M is porbably a pretty good choice also. David can probably advise you on this as he has one.
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Stan Yeo is the man, epp trainers etc, very well designed kits that fly well. Stan has been building and flying gliders for many years. His Stiletto is a lovely advanced slope model but is a crunchie (made of timber) a bit like the Phase 6. Anyhoo see his link below
http://www.phoenixmp.com/acatalog/Advanced_Trainers.html
Synergy DUET Sport Ref: AT008
Synergy DUET Sport is of similar design to the Synergy DUET R/E except that it is fitted with strip balsa ailerons and is considerably more aerobatic.
Price: £59.95
Regards and look forward to seeing everyone on the 20th
Ralph
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Thanks for the replies, and the offer of the plans, Peter. For the moment I will continue searching for an ARTF model.
My second option failed also. Can't find a 2M fling anywhere.
Saw a good report in March Radio Control Model Flyer on a Ripmax Stargazer 2.
It looks very garish with its all red underside and splashes of White and Yellow on top.
Suppose this would help with orientation.
It has ailerons and the mag says good things about it. But then they usually do.
I will mull over it for the evening.
Thanks again all
Charlie
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Have flown 5 or six stargazers, excellent models and cheap, 95 euro in my local shop
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Hi Charlie,
Welcome to the forum. As Peter said I have a 2M Fling which I flown about three times. One of them today up at Kilakee in Wicklow mountains. Did a 45 min flight in ~6mph WSW wind. Lovely flying, very leisurely and graceful. Its a basic polyhedral glider, rudder and elevator. Good starter model though I started on the 1.2M Fling which I still have. With some ballast I prefer it in more difficult conditions.
I sometimes fly down at Donabate Strand or Portrane off the sandunes when the wind is easterly. If you like I could text you when I'm going and if you want to join me your welcome. Otherwise if you can join us at the weekends down Wicklow direction usually or at the flyins.
You might look at the Kyosho 1.2M Swing. Almost identical to 1.2M Fling but Kyosho build quality is fairly superior. Fred is probably right however, if you can buy a model now with aerilons its better. Look at the Kyosho Soarus 1600. Its electric but you can still slope with it and you have the electric motor (this is probably heresy :wink: )for when theres no wind . Not sure if it has aerilons, check website.
hope this helps
Cheers
David
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Hi David.
I tried about 10 shops for the 2M Fling but no success.
So this morning I went for my 3rd option.
Bought a Stargazer 2.
I am away next week so I should have it ready the following weekend 19/20th.
That is the weekend of the Cork Glide in, info from Fred on an earlier post.
I think if I have it ready I would go somewhere quiet and try it out in private.
Yes David if you drop me a text next time you are going out I would appreciate it, 086 8195467.
Last week I met another David, above the Blessington Lake near Lacken, he had a glider and it looked fantastic in the air.
This is what encouraged me to actually take the plunge.
Thanks again all in the group for the info and encouragement.
Charlie
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Hi Charlie,
Yeah there is a problem with GP supply of 2M fling. My kit came with wing tip damage, tried getting replacements but wasted time and effort with supplier and GP. 2M is nice sailplane and flys really well but don't think I'll buy GP kit again.
Stargazer looks great, good choice :D . I'll certainly text when I head down to Donabate and if you can come, well and good.
Perhaps catch up with you at Cork if I get there!
cheers
David
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Well eventually I am the proud owner of a Stargazer 2. It was poster by Slough Models on 17th April and returned to them as undeliverable on the 15th May.
It just happened that my wife was to visit her sister in Slough last weekend so she collected the glider from the shop and took it home on Sunday.
Hope to start assembly tomorrow. Should not take too long.
Will give an update when it has made its maiden flight.
Thanks to all for the help and encouragement and to Dave for the demo on Portrane strand.
Cha
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First Flight took place on Thursday morning in very light wind.
Despite spending some time sorting the CofG out (60mm aft of the leading edge) it nosed into the ground.
Was on Bettystown beach with soft sand, just in case,
Went in like a dart. But no damage.
Trimmed to full nose up still not enough so adjusted the elevator horn on pushrod to achieve almost level flight.
Boy did it fly though.
First few flights just straight ahead to get the feal of things.
Moved up onto side of dune (only small dunes in Bettystown).
This gave much longer glide and more time to practice control inputs.
After half an hour was launching from top of dune, maybe 40 ft up, and soing gentle S turns.
It was Magic.
Wind increased a bit so had a go at trying to soar along the dune. Was letting the nose drop in the turns and then not moving back into the lift area.
I knew what I was doing wrong but only after I had done it.
I suppose this is called learning.
Flights were lasting about 90 seconds.
It was great.
Each time I launched, my heart and breathing stopped.
It was like being a child again.
Was supposed to stop at 1200 as I had to go to work but gave in to the just one more go syndrome.
I hurried away at 1220 with the glider still in flyable condition.
Question
Today wind was up to 20MPH.
Would people fly in that.
I suppose the ridge lift would be stronger ?
Sorry for the long post
But I had to tell some one that understands.
Cha :D :D :D :D :D
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Way to go!!! :)
That sounds like fun!
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Congrats!
You just have to work on the breathing now!
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Congratulations as well ! :clap: :clap:
For the wind, all depend of the weight of your model... The heavier, in the stronger wind it will fly :D
So, when are we flying all together in Dublin ? :D
Sean, how the Me109 is coming ? :D
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Congratulations, Charlie!
Yeah, 20 MPH (or even a lot more) is no problem for the right model, with enough weight (ballast).
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Fred
Re the Me 109.
Should have watched my balance a bit better, and not copied your servo position! A bit tail heavy, have to add a bit of lead to the nose ( aaaaah! ) . Overall a heavy build?? Will just have to build the next one lighter. All done now, just waiting on the weather. Radio all programmed to the last.
Can't wait to chuck it and see what happens?
Seán
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Cool Sean, first flight soon ! :D
No worries, the weight is far from being critical.
Had to put lead on the nose too on the P51, but it's still really light, and I flew thermals with it...
Too light is not good either :wink:
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:lol: Right I am ready to go public.
Have flown the Stargazer on 6 separate days in all sorts of wind.
The last day Wednesday, was on the top of Clogher head in Co. Louth.
a beautiful south and east facing hill. After what i got back from the board in the way of flyable wind strength I had a go in a 25 gusting 35 mph wind.
It was exciting. boy did the glider climb. i had to hold in forward stick to stop it going backwards. I only saw the underside of the model. It all happened so quickly.
I moved it left and then right and it was extremely stable, once I kept the stick well forward.
I landed it by easing forward on the stick and letting it slowly nose down into the grass beside me.
All was well so, after a drink of water, I said I AM ABLE to fly in this wind
I had a second flight. this time a bit longer. maybe this one lasted 3 minutes. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Again it was only MAGIC.
But I knew it was all way above my comfort level.
But i still have an unbroken glider.
To be honest i will probably never fly in that strong a wind again.
So
Where can I drive to to meet other Flyers.
I have all day tomorrow to myself and my glider.
Not a lot of wind forecast.
Anyone want to give a novice pointers
Like, dont ever try to fly in 25/35 mph winds again.
And thanks again for all he encouragement so far.
Cha
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Hey, NOW your'e getting it :clap: !
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Life's boring in the comfort zone. Push the envelope and try it again, though you may have to wait a few days for those sort of wind speeds.
Here's a tip which I find useful. (I'm only a novice myself) Put some negitive Exponential into your controls. Between 20 -30% should do the trick. I find it makes the plane much smoother to handle especialy when landing.
Above all else,..............keep trying :wink:
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proud owner of a Stargazer 2
First Flight took place on Thursday morning in very light wind.
Despite spending some time sorting the CofG out (60mm aft of the leading edge) it nosed into the ground.
Was on Bettystown beach with soft sand, just in case,
Went in like a dart. But no damage.
Trimmed to full nose up still not enough so adjusted the elevator horn on pushrod to achieve almost level flight.
(reviving old thread)
I am another "proud owner of Stargazer2" :) finishing assembly, should be ready for next weekend.
just curious if haydenc's problem with CoG was because of low airspeed ?
any good advice for the first flight ... so if won't be last one :(
should I first just try to glide into the wind over flat (and soft) field ?
the forecast for the next Sunday (29/03) predicts "Northwest at 31 kmph" -
will Killakee slop(s) be "flyable" with such wind direction ?
Regards,
Dennis
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Hey Dennis,
I can't talk for the Stargazer2, but NW wind for Kilakee is good ! 31km/h is more than enough !
We'll see, depending on the weather, might see you there :D
Plan was to go to Mt Leinster for the day to prepare a few things for Retroplane, but I will go only if the weather is topnotch :P
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well, weather was good today, so I guess, everyone went to Mt.Leinster .
was on Kilakee main slope today (12-1pm).
got the bird in the air. no video footage - were too excited to see her fly :)
http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/?p=134
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From little acorns.............Mighty Oaks grow
Well done Dennis :clap: :clap:
Now do it again, and again, and you'll soon be flying up there with the best of them!
(Just keep trying)
Congrats all round!!!
Keith
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:clap: :clap: :clap:
Well done Dennis. I presume it flew OK for you.
I have been away all week and only see your msg now.
Sorry I couldn't reply before you had the first flight.
My Stargazer has to have about 5/10 deg up elevator to achieve level flight.
I initially set the C of G up as per instructions and found that it needed 5/10 deg of up elevator to achieve level flight.
I messed around with the C of G, for a while, to try to sort this out, but, in the end I just accepted the situation.
I know the glider is not at its most efficient in this configuration but I am no expert and it is good enough for my flying..
So how did the Stargazer go for you.
Cha
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Thanks lads!
Now I have a plane that really likes the wind :)
Charlie,
I've set GoC as per instruction with a bit nose down attitude (btw, calculated (http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/?p=132) CoG was about 75mm from LE).
all controls level.
The wind was (according uk.weather.com) 26km/h.
with just a little push from my launch boy it flew parallel to the slope
peeking up the speed.
After just two or three seconds it started to climb still staying level... and sometime flying backwards.
In fact, I had to keep elevator a bit down to get her flying forward.
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http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/?p=145
(http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc01354-150x150.jpg)
(http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsc01353-150x150.jpg)
video http://vimeo.com/4015271
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Hi Dennis. Well done. :clap: :clap:
I was just looking at your pictures. Were you flying at Lacken, certanly looks like it looking at your photos. Thats were I fly sometimes as well.
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Bummer ! :!:
Did the same after the first flight of my ASW22 ! Pain to break it on landing! :evil:
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Were you flying at Lacken, certanly looks like it looking at your photos.
Hi Alan,
I did not fly at Lacken, went there to check up the road and in a hope to see if anyone else is flying.
Drove up to viewpoint carpark - busy place - lots of hillwalkers.
Dennis
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Well if there is anyone flying at Laken they are generaly around or close to the the viewpoint car park.
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Oh Bxxxxxs :cry:
It looks repairable Dennis, how long before it's flyable again to you think?
I've only been flying gliders for 12 months and I can't rmemeber how many times I've had to repair my planes do to crashed landings.
The flying aint so hard,.......it is the landings that are the problem :lol:
K.
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It looks repairable Dennis, how long before it's flyable again to you think?
it is certainly repairable, thinking about using rubber bands to hold the wings this time.
broken servo is a bit of a problem - i'm banned to purchase anything for the planes till august ;) .
have some micro servos to put in (broken one was a mini) , just have to build "an adaptor" to mount them.
(guess I will be flying my electric "monster" for another couple of weeks)
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:( :( :(
Sorry to hear of your misfortune Dennis.
Hope it is repairable
Had hoped that we might get to fly the 2 stargazers together some day and confuse ourselves as to which one we were controlling.
Maybe it will still happen.
For the moment
Condolences on the event.
Cha