aeajr
06-18-2006, 10:32 AM
Performance Tuning for Gliders
http://www.radiocarbonart.com/Pages/perftunemain.html
This is a fantastic video that everyone should get! It is from Radio Carbon Art, a company that makes RC Soaring videos. I have several of
them and they are all excellent.
There is a review of the video here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=5010
All I can say is that this may be the best $25 you could ever spend, if you enjoy flying gliders. It is so full of valuable information and simple tips that, having seen it, I will be ordering my own copy. He talks about how tuning will impact both thermal duration and slope soaring.
You might think, from the title, that this is about racing or competition,
but it isn't. He takes a common ARF, a Spirit Select 2M, and takes the plane
through a series of steps to get it to fly its best. He tells you how it
flew when first assembled, what he found that could be tuned, and then does it.
I watched my friend's copy and took some of the tips to the field this past weekend. They were really simple and really helpful. My plane is flying better than ever!
He also takes you through some of the tools that can be helpful, many of which are very inexpensive. For example:
The Great Planes CG machine - $22
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...?&I=LXK259&P=ML
I have one of these. It makes balancing a plane so easy! In the video he shows you how to use it and even makes suggestions on modifications that he feels improves it. He talks about how critical balancing your plane is and provides some outstanding tips on how to do the initial balance and how to tune from there. He also talks about the placement of the tow hook and its relationship to the balance point. Now, I know how to do these things but I still found nuggets of value in his presentation on this most basic topic.
He discusses the Robart Wing incidence meter - $26
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXET66&P=7
also the Great Planes Incidence meter - $20
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...?&I=LXPW71&P=ML
I purchased this one and discovered a problem on one of my planes. I tuned it, using his advice and some tips from other flyers, and it is like I have a new plane.
He also shows you how to make some simple tools.
I don't work for Radio Carbon Art and no one is paying me to post this. I just love soaring on the slope and in the thermals. I want my planes to fly well so I can enjoy the experience and not struggle with a poorly set-up plane. Even a good pilot can't do well with a poorly set-up plane.
I encourage you to get the video. Maybe you and a friend or two can pick this up and split the cost. It will be well worth it. If you are not a member of a club, where you have experienced pilots coaching you, then the value of this video just went up 10 times!
http://www.radiocarbonart.com/Pages/perftunemain.html
This is a fantastic video that everyone should get! It is from Radio Carbon Art, a company that makes RC Soaring videos. I have several of
them and they are all excellent.
There is a review of the video here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=5010
All I can say is that this may be the best $25 you could ever spend, if you enjoy flying gliders. It is so full of valuable information and simple tips that, having seen it, I will be ordering my own copy. He talks about how tuning will impact both thermal duration and slope soaring.
You might think, from the title, that this is about racing or competition,
but it isn't. He takes a common ARF, a Spirit Select 2M, and takes the plane
through a series of steps to get it to fly its best. He tells you how it
flew when first assembled, what he found that could be tuned, and then does it.
I watched my friend's copy and took some of the tips to the field this past weekend. They were really simple and really helpful. My plane is flying better than ever!
He also takes you through some of the tools that can be helpful, many of which are very inexpensive. For example:
The Great Planes CG machine - $22
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...?&I=LXK259&P=ML
I have one of these. It makes balancing a plane so easy! In the video he shows you how to use it and even makes suggestions on modifications that he feels improves it. He talks about how critical balancing your plane is and provides some outstanding tips on how to do the initial balance and how to tune from there. He also talks about the placement of the tow hook and its relationship to the balance point. Now, I know how to do these things but I still found nuggets of value in his presentation on this most basic topic.
He discusses the Robart Wing incidence meter - $26
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...p?&I=LXET66&P=7
also the Great Planes Incidence meter - $20
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...?&I=LXPW71&P=ML
I purchased this one and discovered a problem on one of my planes. I tuned it, using his advice and some tips from other flyers, and it is like I have a new plane.
He also shows you how to make some simple tools.
I don't work for Radio Carbon Art and no one is paying me to post this. I just love soaring on the slope and in the thermals. I want my planes to fly well so I can enjoy the experience and not struggle with a poorly set-up plane. Even a good pilot can't do well with a poorly set-up plane.
I encourage you to get the video. Maybe you and a friend or two can pick this up and split the cost. It will be well worth it. If you are not a member of a club, where you have experienced pilots coaching you, then the value of this video just went up 10 times!