Radio Control: Slope Soaring

RADIO CONTROL SLOPE SOARING El FxTr recent years Design OD classes have seen expanding participation forms competition including full-scale aerobatic aircraft instance much-modeled DR-107 OD being used International Aerobatic Club entry level competition comparatively inexpensive kit aircraft can constructed home-builders utilizing midpriced power plants Now OD examples modeling worldspecifically Radio Control RC Soaring Nostalgia class Thermal Duration TD events born modelers desires create more-level playing field TD specifying fixed designs yesteryear inexpensive build because largely wood-framed construction RC Pylon Racing community AT-6 class Madera racers Quickie 500 classes have gained wide acceptance stepping-stones other levels competition So what about slope Slope Racing seemed natural prospect OD format advances technology costs state-ofthe-art 60-inch Unlimited airplanes have risen sharply recent years nobodys fault its very nature racing drives designers pilots create ever-moreeffective machines accomplish task winning Speed obsession application high-tech materials equipment flier especially skilled ones can use advanced airframe advantage making sensible push art design its highest level Granted airplanes faster ever pilots much skilled factors have made competitive aircraft sizable investment average modeler wants break competitive racing rookie immediately thrown field seasoned pilots fly incredibly well-tuned machines ability optimize airplane also won experience knowing task 60-inch class envisioned introductory class long time Unlimited fliers found intriguing began participate both events result 106 Model Aviation lie Richardson R Paul Naton new Fun-i Design First OD race TPG Poway slope site L-R Doug Reel Harris Slope Racers CR High Performance Products John Roe photos Nelson Charlie Richardson Paul Naton winner Brendan Lugo Doug Reels scratch-built OD Racer suffered midair damage wasnt expensive can probably fixed easily Pair Fun-is pull near pylon Torrey Pines Gulls first OD race event 60-inch models ended up being hightech machines pricey buy off shelf presented large technical challenge wanted scratch-build felt something needed break down skill/cost barriera class airplanes requiring low-tech materials fixed set geometric criteria would allow modelers use inexpensive offthe-shelf kits designed specifically event build own models meet rules progressive Torrey Pines Gulls TPG San Diego California rose challenge Among bevy pioneering members expert Slope Racer Paul Naton decided time come OD Slope Racing class help veteran Slope designer Charlie Richardson CR High Performance Products Paul nailed down specification clubs OD Racer 60-inch wingspan seven-inch root chord five-inch tip chord single-taper wing no compound tapers allowed 5D6060 airfoil 95% thick minimum wings checked against template 360 square-inch wing area Ailerons must 20 inches long have maximum 1 V-inch chord width cut starting three inches span tips airframe overall flying weight 25 ounces minimum 35 ounces maximum Other use noncomposite materials no rudder control no restrictions placed tail geometry left designer suit tail moment used given model Conventional V tails permitted Fuselage maximum length 36 inches minimum 32 inches minimum sixinch circumference its widest girth usually directly front wing leading edge Probably important factor construction materials wing tall construction limited balsa obechi tape film over foam EPP expanded polypropylene foam also legal Plywood composite wing skins allowed nor composite leading edge materials Spar construction restricted legal materials known technology existing construction methods will likely prevail fuselage may constructed fiberglass KevlarTM wood EPP carbon fiber prohibited except minor field repairs Any ballast used achieve maximum flying weight must enclosed inside fuselage ballast tubes wing structure prohibited Radio equipment limited three July1998 107 CR Fun-i foreground McLean Vindicator Text details comparison extremes 60-inch Slope Racer technology j990 Put entire years worth Model Aviation issues work get out aeromodeling experience Its information can use fingertips g An entire years worth 2200 pages construction technical how-to articles Also AMA News regular columns covering Radio Control Control Line Free Flight modeling g Browse issue quickly search entire year specific item g CD Libraries has reproduced page has assembled comprehensive database entire years worth issues Supported queries Article title author subject keyword keyname issue advertisement Other features Embedded text strings supported throughout full-color SVGA image display easy use Produced distributed CD Libraries Inc under license Academy Model Aeronautics Inc servosone elevator two ailerons Differential aileron mixing stick-activated camber changing allowed camber-toelevator mixing prohibited instance flaperon function must manually controlled transmitters left stick idea create ~spirit rules class Paul has indicated specification will remain flux year sure achieves desired goal inexpensive aircraft fun-oriented racing format encourage participation beginning racers downward mentorship experts areas airframe setup ballasting flying technique could shot arm Slope Racing could provide excellent basis development fun low-tech speedy sport Slope models Fun-i CR High Performance Products already market being used TPG members monthly races great-performing aircraft has set standard OD class models wing balsa sheeted over styrene foam uses glass/KevlarTM fuselage balsa tail group fuselage same Charlie Richardsons already successful widelyflown Blazer except Fun-is tail designed conventional arrangement opposed Blazers stock V configuration Notice photo Fun-i state-ofthe-art Brian McLean Vindicator set side-byside physical comparison models will give idea major differences Vindicator has triple-taper wing planform labor-intensive construct need six separate cutting operations airplane tail also foam core/composite contrast Fun- t uses single-taper planform meaning Y3 labor required Vindicator necessary tail made out simpleshaped balsa Vindicator wing meticulously vacuum-bagged advanced layup high-strength carbon glass skins quite expensive acquire large quantities Brian orders Fun-l balsa-sheeted ordinary film covering applied top Vindicators fuselage prepainted mold Fun-is saves step reduces amount parts fail quality control because minor finish blemishes would okay builder painted fuselage Vindicator uses six-servo onboard radio system computerized mixing functions including ruddervator elevator/camber mixing servos necessarily small high-torque airplane capable blistering speeds flutter aerodynamic forces control surfaces major factor Funis capable utilizing three servos can simple HS-85s models limited weight overall top speed limit forces transmitted equipment Vindicators price neighborhood $300a darn good deal flawless highly prefabricated model Fun-I $80 presheeted kit $150 prebuilt Add $5 shipping handling mail orders California sales tax applicable exhibits exceptionai quality craftsmanship always case Charlies products its much less expensive make So thats what Design about Its still competition serious about winning cant cost may just push Slope Racing enthusiasts have needed increase participation TPG running monthly series races classes including OD 98 season youre Southern Californian might good try Slope Racing first time rediscover youve out Check TPG Web site complete details wwwTorreyPinesGullsorg call club president Ron Schark additional details 6i9 454-4900 information OD specs can E-mail Paul Naton pnatona@ctscom call him 760 634-2348 get Fun-I presheeted kit prebuilt airframe call Charlie Richardson CR High Performance Products 205 Camille Way Vista CA 92083 Tel 760 630-8775 Until next time see slopes