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aeajr
477 Posts |
 Posted - 11/03/2010 : 09:10:52 AM
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One design builds and one design contests are a great way to build interest in gliders in your club and to introduce non-contest pilots to the fun of glider contests. Many of the ESL clubs have done this before, with great success.
LISF is about to start a group build over the winter. We are in NY so some of our members don't fly over the winter. So let's make it buildling season.
Most of the OD build and contests I have read about are based on 2M entry level models like the Gentle Lady, Vista or the Easy Glider. These are inexpensve but what I am told is, after the contest, they become hanger queens. We wanted to avoid that, so we are going to base our OD on a 3M glider.
The chosen model will be the Bird of Time which can be built from plans, from an inexpensive kit sold by Tower Hobbies, or you can buy the ARF. Even non-builders can join the fun.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYXJ8&P=7
While our club has many winches, we are going to make this a hi-start launched contest in order to take away any advantage that anyone might have through improvements to the spar or wing rod as compared to the earlier built kits or the ARF.
You can read about it on our club forum here:
http://www.lisfsoar.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=balsa&action=display&thread=103
or on RCG here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1331363
So far we know of six who will be joining the build. For many of these this will be their first build and their first 3M glider. We have also opened this to surrounding clubs for any who are interested in joining the project or the One Design contest.
This should spark some great "show and tell" at the meetings, generate interest in buildling, and get a few more people into contest flying their gliders. We hope to pick up more builders over the winter.
AFTER THE OD CONTEST
We are going to allow a significant amount of latitude in modifications to make the BOT lighter, stronger or more easily transported. These won't buy you much on a hi-start launch but will make the planes much more winchable after the contest.
The goal is that this plane should not become a hanger queen. It was chosen because people will want to fly it. Once finished, with some allowed modifictions, the pilot should have a beautiful 3M sailplane that can be flown for sport and which is very well suited for the monthly club RES contests or the monthly club unlimited contest. We allow winch or HS launches for all club contests.
If they choose to carbon cap the spar and add spoilers they should even be able to compete in the ESL contests, in the Sportsman class, and place well. Many of our club members have won ESL contests with RES gliders. There is no reason this one would not place well in the hands of a practiced pilot.
The goal is to get more people flying pure gliders, teach more people how to build and teach more people how to use a hi-start. And ultimately we will give them their first taste of contest flying.
If it all goes well, we should have some new Novice or Sportsman pilots at our ESL contests in 2011. Hopefully we will darken the sky with the beautiful profile of the Bird of Time.
Thank you Dave Thornburg for such a beautiful glider.
This should be fun!  |
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
Long Island Silent Flyers
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Edited by - aeajr on 11/03/2010 12:17:40 PM |
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One Design Build and Contest -
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