Radio Control: Soaring
EXCITEMENT in California is being caused this flying season by Mark Allen's new Falcon 880 design. The ship spans 112 in., has a beautifully made Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass fuselage, Selig 3021 airfoil, ailerons/flaps, and balsa-sheeted foam core wings with modified Schuemann plan-form. A distinctive feature is upswept wing tips (outer 10 in.). The all-flying stab and rudder are of built-up balsa construction. Four servos are in the wings for ailerons and flaps, making computer radios like the Airtronics Vision the easiest way to go. The Vision's three-position Launch/Cruise/Speed switch permits presetting the entire trailing edge for the three modes. The "crow" landing configuration (flaps down 90º with ailerons up 25º) makes hitting the spot much more consistent. A regular four-channel radio using "Y" connectors would fly the Falcon, but you'd give up the nice mixing and preset functions.
Radio Control: Soaring
ACE R/C's new Easy Eagle is a Two-Meter trainer designed by Harley Michaelis. It uses the new SD 7032 airfoil, the first fruits of Michael Selig and John Donovan's research into model Glider airfoils using Princeton University's low-speed wind tunnel. The 7032 is said to offer an outstanding L/D (lift-to-drag ratio-Ed.). It is in the forefront of a new generation of airfoils many think are destined to become standards. This is Harley's description of his EE: "Easy Eagle is a Two-Meter entry-level Sailplane utilizing the SD 7032 airfoil, proven best for thermal flying in the wind tunnel test by Selig and Donovan. Basic controls are rudder and elevator. A flap option is included for extra control.
Radio Control: Soaring
TOLEDO SHOW: The 35th Annual Radio Control Exposition (yes, it started in 1955!) was held April 7-9, 1989. The crowds were their usual huge size, and many exhibitors said business was better than ever. This great RC hobby, in all its facets, just keeps growing and growing! However, there were only a few really new things in Gliders: Bob Sealy's booth was the center of an assem
Radio Control: Soaring
F3B TEAM NEWS: There was an unfortunate mix-up regarding the Post Office box used for mailing donations to the F3B team. (I mentioned the subject of donations on page 168 of my May 1989 "RC Soaring" column.) The box number was correct, but some of you got your checks back marked "Return to sender." Well, the problem was resolved and the box returned to action. So if your check came back, pop it in another envelope and send it to: U.S. Soaring Team P.O. Box 19608-489 Irvine, CA 92713 Oops! Almost forgot: Before sealing the envelope, you'd better read the following item. Chances for the big merchandise drawing are being sold separately for $5 each. The complete rundown is:
Radio Control: Soaring
NEW from Bob Sealy: The 100-in.-span Pulsar is the latest from Sealy's Sailplane Shop. This is Bob's description of it: "After nearly a year of producing the 129-in.-span Ultima, I decided there was a niche in the market for a Standard-class version of this kit. Designed in are many of the features of the Ultima, plus a few new ideas. At the same time, I was striving for a design that was simpler to build. "The Pulsar uses a shortened version of the Ultima fuselage. It has the same type of slip-on nose cone which allows easy radio access and is very clean. The stab location is more conventional, versus the T-tail of the Ultima. Once again a bit simpler in construction, yet just as effective.
