Just want to let you and the readers of slopeflyer.com know that the
Birdworks Zipper is now being made and sold by Off The Edge Sailplanes
in Australia.
We are offering some options that were not available before, like
two airfoils (PW51 and the original EH 2-10) and a laser cat parts.
The Zipper can be ordered at www.offtheedge.com.au.
Kevin McDonald, who did the prototype balsa version of the Talon as it was converted from a limited production glass loper in the early ’80s, sent in a great document to address some of the concessions made when the kit went into production and help make the Talon perform more like the plane it cold be. The Super Talon!
Kevin McDonald, who did the prototype balsa version of the Talon as it was converted from a limited production glass loper in the early ’80s, sent in a great document to address some of the concessions made when the kit went into production and help make the Talon perform more like the plane it cold be. The Super Talon!
Jim Breen sent info about this slope soairng site in Arizona.
We have a site in Page Springs, AZ (about 15 miles southwest of Sedona). It’s not a big hill, but adequate for foamie wings like a Weasel Pro. From October through May we get our typical southwest wind in the mid day with 10-15 mph pretty frequently. We’ve had flights lasting 30 min. to an hour plus. The best part is you can drive up to the edge of the slope site, and park, get out and toss your plane. If the occassional retrival is necessary, you can walk down the hill with a little care without killing yourself. Foamies only, composits will die here due to poor landing conditions.
If you want directions, best to write to me as they are a little complicated. JB3310@gmail.com
I stopped at The Big M in Platteville, WI today on the way home from the LEG Slopefest in Kansas for a little more slope flying. Can’t get enough! No one else there. Pretty decent conditions in the air. Not so great on the road that leads to the top. It was pretty sketchy. There is a large rill at the last turn before the top that requires a slow crossing and then you are mired in soft gravel. I made it through in the slopeflyer Chrysler T&C but realize that I drive this van where 95% of 4-wheelers wouldn’t so I’d suggest 4WD for now.
There is a new concrete bench really close to the LZ that makes landing a bit tricky so I flew my Predator Bee to test the lift and to try some different approaches for landing. I tried a new approach to the left of the stairs and it worked pretty well.
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That is the old bench on the right. |
After the Bee I got my newly tuned Skip Miller Slope (Mach Dart) out and ripped up the place. I’d already moved the CG WAY back from the original Mach Dart instructions and it was sitting about the middle of the rear bolt. After removing another 1/4 ounce in Kansas I think it is pretty near perfect. It did roll off on a tip when I got it really slow but this thing is supposed to be going fast so that shouldn’t be a problem.
The wind when i flew the Slope was 12MPH-15MPH and big thermals. There was pretty much lift everywhere and huge loops, screaming dives and multiple roll passes were a blast. I worked in some Cuban 8s, basic Split Ss and a fairly respectable snap roll. It is great having an excellent slope, good conditions and a sweet plane and not have to worry about anyone else in the air but, at the same time, flying with other guys is really what sloping is all about to me so after about an hour I packed up and finished my trip back to Milwaukee.
More bench pix.
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While attempting to get a handle on my out of control email Inbox, I came across this link that Mirko sent me a long time ago. I’ve been meaning to figure out how to get a trip to this place!
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/tourwreck.htm
I don’t know if anyone has ever sloped this area but I’d sure like to give it a try! No trees, lots of wind and steep mountains sounds like a slope flyers paradise.
{pgomakase}
Harley Michaelis of Genie TD ship fame, with help from Jay Decker, Eagle Butte regular, have made available a new version of the ORCA “pitcheron” sloper with plans and parts kits. The original version appeared in the November ’89 issue of Model Aviation while the new plane has been updated to reflect current slope trends. If you like speed, agility and something different in looks, check out this easy-to-build machine. http://genie.rchomepage.com
L.P. How sent in this site in he Northwestern corner of New Mexico just outside of Chama.
He says “Great landing area and my longest flight so far is over an hour with my Philip 600 e-powered hotliner. In the fall the color is beautiful not to mention surprising the train buffs with an airshow at one of the most beautiful spot in NM.
L.P. How sent in this site in he Northwestern corner of New Mexico just outside of Chama.
Directions:
2007-08-04Great landing area and my longest flight so far is over an hour with my Philip 600 e-powered hotliner. In the fall the color is beautiful not to mention surprising the train buffs with an airshow at one of the most beautiful spot in NM.
I made the trip to fly up there from Santa Fe, which is a two hour drive, about four times.
Conditions had been winds 15~20 mph and when it isn’t blowing the thermal from the valley is just fantastic. I am not sure but I think on top of the pass is 10,500ft.
Get in touch with me if anyone is interested. antero@aol.com
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I got to the Seascape about 2PM on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 and had a good hour of slope flying the Weasel and the Bee but the wind died off as the rain that had been in the area all morning passed.
I took a drive to look over Duck Harbor about 5PM and sloped the small dunes to the right as you walk up to the beach with my Polecat XP-4 DLG while Syd, Garrett and Wendy hunted for shells. There are some roped off areas for the Plover nesting grounds to the left and I did not walk further to check out the higher dunes there as the wind was light. May check that area on Thursday if the 20kph West winds arrive.
Thursday was supposed to be West winds so I took a drive with the family over to Wellfleet and Duck Harbor. After 30 minutes or so of searching for the place to buy a parking permit for the beach we were thwarted by the City of Wellfleet and their Summer Beach Parking Pass Policy or SBPPP. Seems from the 3rd Saturday of June through Labor Day the city only issues parking passes to residents and guests of the city proper. Since we were staying in North Truro we did not rate a parking permit at any cost! I haven’t confirmed it yet but the parking people in Wellfleet informed me that Corn Hill in the City or Truro has the same policy, only for Truro residents and guests.
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Jan sent in this update. IMPORTANT INFO HERE!
Meant to write you last summer after reading your Wellfleet parking paragraph. Things have become even more restrictive since 2007. In May 2008 my friend was flying at Duck Harbor when the National Seashore environmental ranger told him to cease flying because of endangered species (piping plover) nesting on the beach below. While we used to park at the Great Island parking lot, and walk to the slope, it is no longer possible to use this slope in the summer (mid May to Labor Day). Same goes for other Cape beaches – depends on nesting site location.
Here’s the thread from RC Groups – http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=870844&highlight=piping+plover
I have been to Cape Cod a couple of times before and have checked out a few of the slope soaring spots listed on the CRRC site that Helmet wrote a few years back. I’ve always had excellent flying while staying at the Seascape and hitting a few of the local hills. This year the wind was a bit more west on Thursday so I decided to try the dunes at Duck Harbor near Wellfleet.
Seems that the city of Wellfleet owns the beach at Duck Harbor and from the third Saturday in June to Labor Day will not issue a beach parking permit to anyone not staying in Wellfleet. I am staying in North Truro and so can not get a legal pass to the beach during the day. After 5PM there are no restrictions but knowing about the restrictions earlier in the day would have saved me some time.
By the way, if you are staying in Wellfleet and looking for the place to get a parking pass just go to the harbor and check in at the Beach Parking Permit House.
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/mcy/
Here is a link to the Michigan city light house weather station for slope
soaring Mount Baldy.
As described before N-NW winds are ideal. Western southerly winds are soarable on the smaller north dune.
The large central bowl of the dune makes this site great for beginners to
learn with elbow room for mistakes.
I paraglide and RC this location whenever the winds permit.
Wally
Kepp’s Crossing Overlook Slope Site
Cory sent in this great report on a slope soaring spot in Southeast Idaho. He says Idaho Falls is at the eastern end of the Snake River Plain. This plain is oriented generally in line with the jet stream in spring and fall, which helps produce our winds.
Southeast Idaho has a reputation amongst its residents for being pretty windy. I’ve lived here for 29 years and always thought so too, that is until I took up slope flying in the early 90’s. Sometimes it seems like the wind only blows when all of my planes need repairs. Murphy must have been a sloper! Seriously, I once knew someone who moved here from “The Windy City” who claimed that Chicago was calm compared to here.
Idaho Falls is at the eastern end of the Snake River Plain. This plain is oriented generally in line with the jet stream in spring and fall, which helps produce our winds. Unfortunately, most of the steeper slopes in our area do not face the prevailing wind direction of SSW. Fortunately there are several exceptions. I will submit descriptions of these sites as I fly them this spring.
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I have spent the last 2 afternoons sloping at Mt. Baldy near Michigan City IN. There are a lot of changes this year that slopers may want to take note of.
The first change is that the approach paths have been altered. The main (and only) path to the summit now begins at the service road on the west side of the main driveway entering the site. The result is a longer path to the top. The natural movement of the dune over the last couple of years has made the final approach to the summit a very steep one, so be advised to “keep it light” with the amount of stuff you carry with you.
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I’ve been waiting for this announcement from my favorite radio maker for sometime. I know that JR is not always the fastest with new technology but when they do it, they do it right. Looks like they have embraced 2.4GHz DSM2 technology.
First, JR is making the 9303 available as a 2.4GHz unit called, appropriately enough, the JR X9303 2.4.
Even cooler, coming this fall is a new 12 channel DSM2 radio dubbed the 12X. Sounds great for big scale sailplanes and for any guy who needs, or wants, the best. It incorporates the rolling selector system that I love on the 9303.
{pgomakase}
Santa Barbaran, Steve Lange, has begun what promises to be a super website on slope aerobatics. The site is located at http://www.slopeaerobatics.com (I’m surprised that domain name wasn’t already taken!).
So far there are photos, reviews and videos. A copuple of planes are well represented those being Le Fish, the Voltij and the Weasel.
As Steve’s mission statement states:
“SlopeAerobatics.com is dedicated to the joy and satisfaction inherent to flying R/C glider aerobatics on the slope. The website has an international focus and is meant to showcase the different styles of aerobatic R/C slope flying popular around the world.”
Sounds good to me.
BTW, I have a Le Fish coming, Steve. We’ll get you some pix of aerobatic action in the Midwest!
Gerald from Windsock asked for a link to his site so I checked it out. Very nice site! Windsock is an online community for EPP Slope gliding in South East Queensland (Australia). It contains photos, forums, flying stories, gliding locations, tips and reviews.
The listing of slope soaring sites in South East Queensland looks good too.
I just finished up my Predator Bee and while it has been languishing around the shop for a few months the build actually went pretty fast. (The Predator Bee is a modified version of the popular Windrider Bee combat wing). I went with internal pushrods, taped the heck out of it and added a couple of layers of goop. It seems really strong and is the stiffest combat style wing I’ve owned. This one came in just under 24 ounces. Looks like I may want to build a lighter one in the future!
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I liked my first Pica so much that I got a second plane from Tim. The new plane is a glass version instead of a carbon plane but it seems fine to me. The pix don’t do the color justice but it is orange and blue. I may add a second orange stripe to the bottom of the wing. I was not sure how it would look but now that I have it I think the additional stripe will balance it out nicely. Stock Krylon color so that should be easy.
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Since I have 2 Picas now I went looking for a case to carry these portable rockets in a nice compact package.
I’ve wanted a Jaro Muller Ellipse 2 for a long time. It has always been a very highly regarded plane and is still competitive something like 10 years after it was introduced plus, for me, it looks great! It has some shape to the fuse instead of just being a broomstick and, like all Jaro Muller planes, it is superbly built and tough as nails.
My Ellipse 2V is 2.86 meters or about 112 inches. Mine comes in at 86 ounces. It has provisions for a bunch of ballast and a hook on the bottom if one feels the need for a winch launch. Jim Porter, the builder and previous owner, put a speed hook tube in the nose as well.
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Reed’s interviews of some of the best known names in slope soaring make for some great reading and give some insight into the thoughts and experiences of an influential bunch of guys in our slope soaring hobby.
As of this writing Reed has interviewed the following folks:
I look forward to reading more interviews from sloping luminaries!
This Slope Scale kit can be made to resemble a P-39 Aircobra or a P-63 Kingcobra. I use the terms interchangeably for better or worse. My plane leans towards the Kingcobra if only because I opted for a more Kingcobra like vertical fin because it is a bit taller. I figured the extra stability couldn’t hurt.
My current P-63 is a standard layup and with normal balsa sheeting/solartex/paint type construction. It is flying at 38 ounces. I recently picked up a heavy layup short kit that I will build heavier for the big wind days. I am going to use 1/32 ply on that one.
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Great Planes Precision Z-Bend Pliers
Part # GPMR8025
Every rc slope plane builder will need a good Z-Bend pliers in their tools arsenal. The Great Planes version, called “Precision Z-Bend Pliers, is my favorite mostly for the alignment pin. It helps you put the bend right where you want it every time. You simply put the pin in the servo horn hole you are using, insert your push rod and clamp down on the pliers. Voilà, a perfect bend at the right length.
Get the Great Planes Precision Z-Bend Pliers at your local hobby shop or go to www.greatplanes.com to find where to get them.
Posted by Ezra (Edited by Greg) on Mar 28, 2007, 21:35
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San Antonio mountain, located on highway 285 about 10 miles south
of the Colorado state line, about 35 minutes northwest of Taos, New Mexico. A
massive blob with 10,000 foot altitude and 2100 feet above the surrounding is land located on BLM and Forest Land. There is a dirt road 87 that skirts the backside (southwest) where the winds are most prevelant. It’s size is deceiving, it’s about a mile hike from the car to the slope. The lift is massive, very easy to speck out my Kulbutan in any direction. The slope is rocky in some areas.
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I caught the Raptor Force episode of the PBS series Nature today. It was a very cool show all about various raptors and their influence on aircraft design and studies of flight. One segment had Kyle Paulson DSing his 100-inch Exxtreme! RC on PBS. How cool is that? The segment was about dynamic soaring and the energy gained flying the DS groove.
The preceding segment showed how Condors do the same thing to fly long distances with very little energy expended.
The segment following Kyle’s demonstration of dynamic soaring showed a full scale glider and pilot exploring the phenomenon of DS flying the groove on the side of a mountain. How long before this is a real full-scale sport?
The nature series is on a bunch of times in my local market so you may still be able to catch a viewing in your area. Look for the Raptor Force episode.
We’ve all had planes that fly great right out of the box or off the table and quickly become favorite planes but more often than not there is room for improvement. Luck can only get you so far. I’ve had planes over the years that never seemed to fly right and didn’t perform up to my expectations; most of the time it was simply because I never went through all the steps to really dial the glider in. Sometimes, have several favorites means a potentially great ship never gets it’s due, well, at least until it is sold and the next owner takes the time to make sure the plane is really set up right, kind of like quarterbacks for the Green Bay Packers.
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When I first saw the Dremel Stylus, a cordless rotary tool, I knew I had to try it because it incorporates a couple of features I’ve been looking for. Variable speed, Easy to hold grip, Cordless, Lithium powered for long run times and it uses standard Dremel bits.
Dremel Stylus Cordless Rotary Tool Model # 1100-01