Moving from normal electric powered to gliders

[Tyrant Blaze]

Hi,

Looking for some advice on what approach to take to moving into gliders from normal electric powered planes, family commitments have really cut back my flying and my flying site (provided by a friend) is not really pratical any more. But I live at the foot of Butser Hill in the South of England which is open to the public (providing you show insurance and safe flying capability). Would be great if I can head up there when a random hour or two of feedom presents itself.

I have been flying for about 2 years and fly: Multiplex Minimag, Multiplex Gemini, Hyperion supercub & a Ultraflight P40.

I am very comfortable with all but the P40 which can be a bit of a handfull at times but I manage.

1). What would be the best type of glider to start with (powered or not)
2). Will I have a major learning curve to on starting given I already fly

3). What is a recomended model to start with.

4). And the big question...Is my minimag 'floaty' enough to be used as a glider.......dont laugh if its a stupid question.

Thanks in advance

Chris

[Richard]

It sounds like you mean slope soaring? Launch the plane into the up draft cause by a hill toye of flying, yes?

I'd go for something like this to start with: http://www.aeroshack.co.uk/shop/gbu0-pro...easel.html

[Tyrant Blaze]

Hi Richard,

Yeah thats exactly type of flying I am talking about. Is there a significant learning curve given my experience with electric powered planes?

Thanks

Chris

[Richard]

I havent tried it myself but I wouldnt imagine its not a significant difference in flying... hmm maybe you'll suffer more from neck ache looking up at the model for hours

Reading the wind and how it reacts with the lay of the land is going to be a new experience but its not beyond you. I rather chuck my model of hill rather than a cliff to begin with, I think the walk down the hill to retrieve the model would be a little easier

[Tyrant Blaze]

Quote:Originally posted by Richard Archdeacon

I havent tried it myself but I wouldnt imagine its not a significant difference in flying... hmm maybe you'll suffer more from neck ache looking up at the model for hours

Reading the wind and how it reacts with the lay of the land is going to be a new experience but its not beyond you. I rather chuck my model of hill rather than a cliff to begin with, I think the walk down the hill to retrieve the model would be a little easier

Yeah dont fancy parasending down a cliff face.

If going it alone maybe a powered version would be safer.....you know to get out of those um........sticky situations like, woops gone to far down wind and cant get back. Its either a motor or a long walk, providing you can see it to land it of course.

[David]

Ahhh..... putting power on a slope soarer completely defeats the object, adds bucket loads of weight and creates a paradox, whereby you now need far more perfect conditions (stronger lift) to be able to fly the heavier plane well and with power off can act like a right pig.

However if you must

Then perhaps look at something like a Swift 2 which is quite happy in either version (there is others out there as well like the Zaggy/Bee etc) http://www.aeroshack.co.uk/shop/gbu0-cat...brand.html

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynjsZvfFktU

And lots on here at the end of the vid after the build
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShPTwumUFvg

Got to say though, with enough lift on the day you can throw just about anything off even a MiniMag

[Tyrant Blaze]

Got to say though, with enough lift on the day you can throw just about anything off even a MiniMag
[/quote]

Hmmm.....I might just go up to Butser one morning and throw the Minimag off and see how I get on then. The minimag is naturally a floaty model even more so if a smaller battery is used.

I see your point about no power, guess if I insist on power there is always the chance I wont truly learn to 'read the wind' because physiologically you know you can bring it back from anawwhere? so the chances of just charging anywhere in search of a thermal are high.

[Richard]

Quote:Originally posted by David Piper
Got to say though, with enough lift on the day you can throw just about anything off even a MiniMag

Yes, I know a chap that has used a Heli off a slope... and yes it did fly!

http://www.rctalk.co.uk/1/displayimage.php?pos=-153

[Tyrant Blaze]

Yes, I know a chap that has used a Heli off a slope... and yes it did fly!

http://www.rctalk.co.uk/1/displayimage.php?pos=-153
[/quote]

That must have been an interesting flight