Radio Control: Soaring
IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST WINTER, when I was whining about the freezing temperatures, the rain, and the lack of opportunity to fly since I had moved to Northern California, I got somewhat motivated to build a project model: the Maverick. Remember? Well, I haven't forgotten the project, its just, well, you see, it's been summer, and I can't build in the summer! Anyway, I thought it only fair to give you a little head start if you're planning on building a model along with me.
Radio Control: Soaring
VISALIA 1994: I hate finishing in the cheap seats (37th place); ouch! Anyway, if you have never been to Visalia, you are missing the best-run, best-attended, most fun, biggest party contest in the US. Year after year these guys do such an incredible job of putting together a good time for all the attendees that you almost forget there is a contest being run at the same time. But what a contest! This year the contest was attended by 230 soaring enthusiasts, some of whom came from as far away as Guatemala. During the two-day contest period more than 1,840 flights were logged. That is a lot of winching. And that kind of flying can only take place with a lot of hard work from some very dedicated individuals. My hat is off to the organizers for once again pulling off the "contest of all contests." I just can't say enough positive things about Visalia.
Radio Control: Soaring
HI GUYS! I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE SLOPE and boy, were the conditions . . . marginal. I know Wil Byers writes the Slope column, and I try not to infringe on his expertise, but I really love to slope fly. Sorry, Wil. Anyway, we have this slope up here in Santa Rosa that we kinda share with the cows, and it doesn't really face into the wind, but the owner of the property likes us. Which basically means he doesn't mind our tramping around on his property (I don't think the cows really care). The most fun thing about this slope is that quite often it is more like ridge-assisted thermal flying than all-out sloping. You can be cruising the face and all of a sudden, nothing but sink, due to thermals somewhere in front of the hill. I know it sounds crazy, but I love these kind of conditions. Anyone can fly when the ridge is pumping, but you can learn more about your own abilities and your sailplane's capabilities in mediocre conditions.
Radio Control: Soaring
GLIDING IN AUSTRALIA (I was there for the Electric WC) is incredible. And yes, the water really does go down the drain backwards. The thermals and dust devils (Willy-Willies, as they refer to them) go in the opposite direction. As a matter of fact, you have to stand on your head and thermal inverted just to make the airplane go up. We did take some handlaunch gliders with us, and I can testify to the fact that the thermals are big and meaty. In fact, while Larry Jolly was flying in seven-cell duration at the World Games, I almost handlaunched his plane out, and he required only seven seconds of motor blast to make his five minutes.
