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aeajr
477 Posts |
 Posted - 08/30/2006 : 11:45:46 PM
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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 ordered 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://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&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 in 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://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXET66&P=ML
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. 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. And 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!
Updated Jan 2010 |
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
Long Island Silent Flyers
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Edited by - aeajr on 01/29/2010 11:55:56 AM |
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junkerjak
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2006 : 6:35:43 PM
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aeajr -
I bought that video last year and definitely agree that it is an outstanding investment for $25.
I think one of the greatest benefits of the video was the discussion and presentation about how to do the basic setup on a sailplane - rigging and control surfaces specifically. I had a Whisper from soaringusa.com that I was having a good deal of trouble with at the time. After going through just a few of the initial setup tips in the video the Whisper was a totally different animal - much improved handling, better responsiveness, and properly balanced.
I was just getting started with sailplanes at the time, and combined with the help I got from some of the members in my club, that video brought me to the next level in having a solid, properly prepared bird.
Thanks,
junkerjak
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aeajr
477 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2006 : 7:14:55 PM
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I have been loaning my copy to the new glider guiders in the club. They have been buying their own copies too.
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
aeajr on the forums
Long Island Silent Flyers |
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aeajr
477 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2010 : 3:55:08 PM
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Additional Resources that may be helpful. These are a group of articles on setting up and tuning your glider.
http://www.orlandobuzzards.org/?page_id=469
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Best regards,
Ed Anderson
Long Island Silent Flyers
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Performance Tuning for Gliders - Video
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