RADIO CONTROL SLOPE SOARING Slope contours Crevices often induce sink points ridges can trigger strong thermals straight areas can make upslope winds durations several minutes working columns pairs individually can impart considerable energy aircraft hallmark thermals triggering moving up slope cyclic slope winds wind blows lightly up slope stops reverses direction intervals few minutes theres likely thermals Im optimist know day spent slope good dayeven wind stinks fun way challenge yourself machines such day finding utilizing unconventional forms lift Three primary factors involved having good time light-lift days atmospheric/geographic analysis airframe selection flying technique rewarding necessarily thrilling sessions days youre event vacation may have take what can get Following some things ponder about above factors next light-lift slope-flying experience Just because general wind weak bit off-direction slope doesnt mean theres no lift may true general wind-driven slope lift theres still likely abundant least usable amount available through other means especially its sunny day general wind present least near correct direction slope very few days theres no lift just need know look Primary among alternate sources lift thermals however Slope Soarers fall appreciate take advantage thermal lift because dont make association never gave much thought until started flying regularly Thermal Duration TD pilots Some skilled experienced pilots could routinely work seemingly impossible air develop amazing energy speed runs aerobatics along ridgeline Thermals often propagated irregularities terrain consistent calm days hill fly may effective thermal trigger particularly possesses irregularities such outcroppings buttress ridges See Figure terrain-triggered thermals often columnar nature can pump lift popping loose valley floor face hill local slope has two sharp bends its ridgeline very reliable thermal trigger points making site flyable days theres almost no slope lift areas lift can very concentrated especially theyre close ground finding locations can challenging second source lift phenomenon known upslope winds See Figures 3 4 confused slope lift generated general wind See Figure 2 Upslope winds can found readily west-facing slopes sunny days As slope face begins heat up late morning midday hours adjacent air becomes heated warm air begins flow up slope thin layer As day wears reaches point maximum heating midafternoon circulation sets up creates rising air along face slope sinking air further Out front point lift ends apparent height above ridgeline horizontal distance out face Typically day good circulation sets up can get usable lift extending about 20% total sunlit height slope above ridgeline about half distance away air flattens begins sink out reaches ambient temperature again Several factors involved determining strength lift attainable upslope wind effect generally favors 3045O slope angles few irregularities ridgeline cast shadows Ive flown slopes less 100 feet tall exhibited phenomenon though lift created very gentle its smooth enjoyable fly Larger slopes can produce powerful very laminar upslope circulations make exciting afternoon whole process can establish itself matter minutes its worth waiting around before giving up going home General wind slope lift Compression face rotor just behind ridge Lift strong may turbulent ridgeline Early upslope wind little no general wind slope pattern can set up adequate ground heating Later upslope wind Heating continues later day upslope circulation gains energy size smooth clean lift 116 Model Aviation 4/11 \RIDGELINE CRE VICE SLOPE Fig 2 /// // 7-f Af /SLOPE Fig 3 //2 /4 71/ SLOPE Fig 4 sizing up site light air take note ground features may act thermal triggersespecially air feels its cycling Also look long well-lit sections slope possible upslope circulation patterns test air have have right tool job trusty hand-launch model comes carry along Hand-Launch Glider HLG slope trip right might cheating yourself out some great slope flying several inexpensive well-huilt HLGs market excellent lightlift slope machines built slope flying mind means tough well-used former competition HLG can rejuvenated excellent lift tester slope use can get hands 50- 70inch-span model reasonably clean flying 5-6 ounces per square foot wing loading youve got excellent divining rod elusive lift slope quiver HLG should strong preferahly ugly duckling since its going sacrificial lamb discovering what makes slope youre testing tick HLG will subject frequent downslope landings aggressive launches place foamie can great value After determining powerful what form lift exists slope can move slick glass aircraft use air maximum advantage lift discover hy alternative means could energetic find spots ridge consistently take HLG up out quickly might able get some good stick time cleaner larger higherloaded airplane expect brings technique first step deciding day going to launch favorite lift-testing model check spots known lift generators hills youre familiar check around ground features look might trigger lift hills youre unfamiliar HLG handy can get least 30 40-foot altitude advantage right off bat being able launch high giving yourself chance finish full pass across ridge check trigger zones considerable distance actually hiking down hill hit spots make HLG rise reasonable authority theres probably enough lift modern composite Slope Racer stay up unballasted During test throws its also good idea return landing shooting across tidgeline well above stall speed possible watching reaction aircraft rides closer slope have upslope wind circulation setting up will very snug against face hill wont extend very high youll see soon airplane hits its glide slope will flatten considerably wing closest slope may rise slightly good sign circulation will likely strengthen particularly stays sunny general wind never really turns able stay flying consistently try ballasting slightly increase wing loading about 1 ounce per square foot increments launch again will give feel ultimate amount energy extracted know lift popping grab higher performance airplane concentrate flying smoothly hacking making sudden turns large control deflections thermals triggering make few circles try gain some height may speck out Stay thermal wont going straight up will drift downwind youve noticed upslope wind stay tight ridgeline use energy saved smooth flying gain altitude After few passes may gain considerable height allows store energy possible mass aircraft upslope wind effect particular will require fly very close hill contour accurately Watch holes air places ridge falls back such crevices lee side projections buttresses hazard areas circulation can interrupted create sink spot clubs hill famous wryly referred Valley Death Airplanes get sucked down dont readily suck back up little preparation right equipment can get out trips hill never stuck sitting around waiting wind Figuring out find air apparently real kick process youll learn much about airplanes yourself pilot just gotta have faith beard Dave Thornburgs classic Old Buzzards Soaring Book being reprinted third say last time all-time great books about Radio Control Soaring discusses wide variety topics Daves inimitable style book covers flying techniques sorts conditions flight regimes can greatly increase understanding atmosphere allowing find take advantage lift effectively no matter what fly information useful beginners experts books available Taylor Collins Soaring Stuff 9140 Guadalupe Trail NW Albuquerque NM 87114 Tel Fax 505 898-8281 web wwwsoaringstuffcom price $1695 hipping handling US Thats month patient perseverant will rewarded Model Aviation
Edition: Model Aviation - 1998/09
Page Numbers: 116, 118
Edition: Model Aviation - 1998/09
Page Numbers: 116, 118
RADIO CONTROL SLOPE SOARING Slope contours Crevices often induce sink points ridges can trigger strong thermals straight areas can make upslope winds durations several minutes working columns pairs individually can impart considerable energy aircraft hallmark thermals triggering moving up slope cyclic slope winds wind blows lightly up slope stops reverses direction intervals few minutes theres likely thermals Im optimist know day spent slope good dayeven wind stinks fun way challenge yourself machines such day finding utilizing unconventional forms lift Three primary factors involved having good time light-lift days atmospheric/geographic analysis airframe selection flying technique rewarding necessarily thrilling sessions days youre event vacation may have take what can get Following some things ponder about above factors next light-lift slope-flying experience Just because general wind weak bit off-direction slope doesnt mean theres no lift may true general wind-driven slope lift theres still likely abundant least usable amount available through other means especially its sunny day general wind present least near correct direction slope very few days theres no lift just need know look Primary among alternate sources lift thermals however Slope Soarers fall appreciate take advantage thermal lift because dont make association never gave much thought until started flying regularly Thermal Duration TD pilots Some skilled experienced pilots could routinely work seemingly impossible air develop amazing energy speed runs aerobatics along ridgeline Thermals often propagated irregularities terrain consistent calm days hill fly may effective thermal trigger particularly possesses irregularities such outcroppings buttress ridges See Figure terrain-triggered thermals often columnar nature can pump lift popping loose valley floor face hill local slope has two sharp bends its ridgeline very reliable thermal trigger points making site flyable days theres almost no slope lift areas lift can very concentrated especially theyre close ground finding locations can challenging second source lift phenomenon known upslope winds See Figures 3 4 confused slope lift generated general wind See Figure 2 Upslope winds can found readily west-facing slopes sunny days As slope face begins heat up late morning midday hours adjacent air becomes heated warm air begins flow up slope thin layer As day wears reaches point maximum heating midafternoon circulation sets up creates rising air along face slope sinking air further Out front point lift ends apparent height above ridgeline horizontal distance out face Typically day good circulation sets up can get usable lift extending about 20% total sunlit height slope above ridgeline about half distance away air flattens begins sink out reaches ambient temperature again Several factors involved determining strength lift attainable upslope wind effect generally favors 3045O slope angles few irregularities ridgeline cast shadows Ive flown slopes less 100 feet tall exhibited phenomenon though lift created very gentle its smooth enjoyable fly Larger slopes can produce powerful very laminar upslope circulations make exciting afternoon whole process can establish itself matter minutes its worth waiting around before giving up going home General wind slope lift Compression face rotor just behind ridge Lift strong may turbulent ridgeline Early upslope wind little no general wind slope pattern can set up adequate ground heating Later upslope wind Heating continues later day upslope circulation gains energy size smooth clean lift 116 Model Aviation 4/11 \RIDGELINE CRE VICE SLOPE Fig 2 /// // 7-f Af /SLOPE Fig 3 //2 /4 71/ SLOPE Fig 4 sizing up site light air take note ground features may act thermal triggersespecially air feels its cycling Also look long well-lit sections slope possible upslope circulation patterns test air have have right tool job trusty hand-launch model comes carry along Hand-Launch Glider HLG slope trip right might cheating yourself out some great slope flying several inexpensive well-huilt HLGs market excellent lightlift slope machines built slope flying mind means tough well-used former competition HLG can rejuvenated excellent lift tester slope use can get hands 50- 70inch-span model reasonably clean flying 5-6 ounces per square foot wing loading youve got excellent divining rod elusive lift slope quiver HLG should strong preferahly ugly duckling since its going sacrificial lamb discovering what makes slope youre testing tick HLG will subject frequent downslope landings aggressive launches place foamie can great value After determining powerful what form lift exists slope can move slick glass aircraft use air maximum advantage lift discover hy alternative means could energetic find spots ridge consistently take HLG up out quickly might able get some good stick time cleaner larger higherloaded airplane expect brings technique first step deciding day going to launch favorite lift-testing model check spots known lift generators hills youre familiar check around ground features look might trigger lift hills youre unfamiliar HLG handy can get least 30 40-foot altitude advantage right off bat being able launch high giving yourself chance finish full pass across ridge check trigger zones considerable distance actually hiking down hill hit spots make HLG rise reasonable authority theres probably enough lift modern composite Slope Racer stay up unballasted During test throws its also good idea return landing shooting across tidgeline well above stall speed possible watching reaction aircraft rides closer slope have upslope wind circulation setting up will very snug against face hill wont extend very high youll see soon airplane hits its glide slope will flatten considerably wing closest slope may rise slightly good sign circulation will likely strengthen particularly stays sunny general wind never really turns able stay flying consistently try ballasting slightly increase wing loading about 1 ounce per square foot increments launch again will give feel ultimate amount energy extracted know lift popping grab higher performance airplane concentrate flying smoothly hacking making sudden turns large control deflections thermals triggering make few circles try gain some height may speck out Stay thermal wont going straight up will drift downwind youve noticed upslope wind stay tight ridgeline use energy saved smooth flying gain altitude After few passes may gain considerable height allows store energy possible mass aircraft upslope wind effect particular will require fly very close hill contour accurately Watch holes air places ridge falls back such crevices lee side projections buttresses hazard areas circulation can interrupted create sink spot clubs hill famous wryly referred Valley Death Airplanes get sucked down dont readily suck back up little preparation right equipment can get out trips hill never stuck sitting around waiting wind Figuring out find air apparently real kick process youll learn much about airplanes yourself pilot just gotta have faith beard Dave Thornburgs classic Old Buzzards Soaring Book being reprinted third say last time all-time great books about Radio Control Soaring discusses wide variety topics Daves inimitable style book covers flying techniques sorts conditions flight regimes can greatly increase understanding atmosphere allowing find take advantage lift effectively no matter what fly information useful beginners experts books available Taylor Collins Soaring Stuff 9140 Guadalupe Trail NW Albuquerque NM 87114 Tel Fax 505 898-8281 web wwwsoaringstuffcom price $1695 hipping handling US Thats month patient perseverant will rewarded Model Aviation
