Author Topic: The Discus took to the air  (Read 4947 times)

haydenc

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The Discus took to the air
« on: April 16, 2009, 19:02:40 PM »
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:
This afternoon while the wind blew at 15 to 20 MPH across Laytown beach and at about 45deg off the advancing waterline my CM Pro Discus CS eventually took to the air.
It was launched from shoulder height at beach level.

It was a devil to assemble.
Loads of little fiddly things that I just kept putting off doing.
Cockpit floor too narrow and needed to be adjusted.
Wing incidence bars not centred in the pre drilled holes
And of course the fear that when completed I would have to fly the thing.

Well, bit the bullet this afternoon.
I waited till the tide was almost in so the available beach area would add an extra challenge. (Next time must remember to check tide times)

Ran out of elevator authority on the first launch.
It nosed in to the sand at a shallow angle but at a low ground speed.
Thank goodness for the strong wind.
Loosened the tailplane and packed a slice of ply under the trailing edge.

Tide had advanced another 10 feet or so.

2nd flight was better. Had plenty of up elevator available so held it about a foot off the sand till it approached the advancing waves then let it sink softly onto the sand.

Was going to pack it in till tomorrow morning, when the tide would be out, but did changed my mind and did 5 more flights.



So that is what it looks like after the first flight.
Small band of tape added to replace cockpit front latch which escaped on first flight.

Cha[/img]

Happy Days

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The Discus took to the air
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2009, 20:34:33 PM »
Well done YOU :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

What a long way you've come in a short number of flying hours!

I know what you mean when you tell yourself you'll pack up "in a minute." But when the minute is up that little voice in the back of your head says, "Go on,.....just one more go."

And all done against an advancing tide. I'll buy you a pint when I meet you.

So when are you going to throw it off a slope Cha? :wink:

Keith
Try not to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas....... all at the same time.

Fred

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The Discus took to the air
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2009, 08:13:05 AM »
Congratulations on the maiden flight Cha !  :clap:  :clap:

So, when is your next time at the slope ?  :D
Education is important, but flying RC planes and gliders is importanter!

DennisZ

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The Discus took to the air
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2009, 23:06:12 PM »
Charlie,
were exactly at Laytown/Bettistown are you flying ?
Was at Bettystown today (end of Cost Road) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=laytown,+co.+meath,+ireland&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.244827,89.648437&ie=UTF8&ll=53.719263,-6.247015&spn=0.017878,0.060081&t=h&z=15,
did not find any good dunes to fly from.

haydenc

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The Discus took to the air
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2009, 09:55:40 AM »
Hi Dennis
If I had of known I would of driven over and met you.  I am only about 20mins drive away.
If I can attach the Google map like you have done all will be seen.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Coastview+Cottages%2FR150&daddr=Unknown+road+to:53.645556,-6.218712&geocode=FV0dMwMd0tGg_w%3BFfamMgMdPA-h_w%3B&hl=en&mra=mi&mrcr=1&mrsp=2&sz=16&dirflg=w&sll=53.646088,-6.220772&sspn=0.0087,0.013819&ie=UTF8&ll=53.645045,-6.246758&spn=0.139206,0.2211&z=12

Now I think that is it.

A  marks a small cliff face about 15ft high where I did initial test flight

B  is the site I would normally fly in East winds. Its about 30 ft high. This site adjacent to an army rifle range and is often closed to the public

C  is another site. Clear of the army range and this is where ,on Saturday last, I crashed the Discus.

Sad day.

I had launched from a low section in the cliff face.
Lift was not great and was scratching for lift half way up the main face.
I wasn't looking far enough ahead of the glider and let it get out of sight behind an outcrop.
Tried a turn away from the cliff, while still out of sight,
Glider came back into view flying away from the cliff, still in a turn and at a 45 degree dive.
I overcontrolled and stalled it about 10 feet above the ground.
Nosed in.
Is reparable and hope to work on it today or tomorrow.

Luckily I had flown it for over an hour the day before. It was at he same site and the wind was stronger. It soared beautifully. Looked a dream in the air.
Did 2 flights of about half an hour each. Was really delighted.
But alas.

How is your Stargazer ?

Chahttp://