Sailplanes and Gliders are fun!

[aeajr]

When you go to a true glider, no motor to fall back on, you commit to the extra work that comes with true soaring. It is like going into the forest for a week with nothing but your knife and your brain. You know that you are going to starve at times but when you find that rabbit, it will taste oh so good.

I have spent many days launching and landing my sailplanes. There have even been days when I was pretty sure there was no lift out there but 20 or 30 launchs later I am still enjoying the hunt.

THEN - oh baby, was that a waggle on the wing?.... turn gently, you don't want to scare the thermal .... ooooh I think I am holding altitude ... quiet, don't breath ..... looooking .... testing ... where did it go? ..... Ahhhhh, got it!

Climb baby climb! You have been working hard for me today. Drink it in, take your fill as you rise into the sky. It has been a long day, but ohhhh the joy, the excitement, the satisfaction of the hunt that ends in a full measure. ( glad I swithched to that big NiMh receiver pack )

Now, don't take too much. Don't let it get down wind toooooooo far or you are going to need those poles to get it out of the trees as you fall short of the field. You only have the energy you take from the sky so be smart about it.

Time to turn for home baby so come on around.

I would swear that plane is smiling at me. Was that a wink, or just a flash off the monokote.

Those power guys will just never understand. They will never truly know the joy of flying, really flying, as it was meant to be.

Oh, is that another bump? ........ Wonderful!

Just me and my sailplane and God's own blue sky. And not a sound, 'cept the pounding in my ears .... I got another one!

Who says fishing is dull?

Sailplanes and gliders are wonderful!

[Catchinathermal]

Since you have the majority of post here, I too purchased a new Ventus 2c 2.5m. I am noticing fiberglass cracks in the fuse near the tail, I haven't even flown it yet. I do have an idea of what I am in for. This is my first attempt into electrics, stick building for 20 years I decided to try. This was an extreamly inexpensive plane so I didn't expect perfection. What would you suggest on how to proceed to bolster the crack and plane in general?

PS: I love to sit in an easy chair and float with the birds!

Thanks

[aeajr]

Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I have not been able to log in.

First, any plane that is cracking when you get it should be returned to the MFG as defective, in my opinion.

If you don't want to return it there are a few things to consider.

1) Poor packing could have caused it to bounce around and crack at high stress areas

2) Poor mfg could have caused a poor cure in that area

3) Poor design caused a weak spot.

If we are talking about hair line cracks, you can take thin CA and wick it into the cracks. If there is a weakness in the bond of the resin to the cloth, this may help. I would do this and perhps nothing else and see how it goes. If you continue to see cracking in the area, once you start flying it, you might consider the following steps.

You can lay light fiberglass cloth, say 2 layers of 3/4 oz, or one layer of 2 oz cloth, over the high stress area to give it a little better strengh. Use thin epoxy or laminating epoxy to apply the cloth. Use just enough to wet the cloth. any more than that is just added weight. Many hobby stores carry these materials.

See if you can get inside in these cracked areas and apply some 2oz cloth, or 2 layers of 3/4 cloth to reinforce the cracking areas from the inside.

If, however this cracking is wide spread, don't build the model, return it or be prepared to make these kinds of repairs on a regular basis. Might not be to bad but this is what I would do.

Good luck pilot.