I’ve been working on the fuse plug for the SH-50 again. It is nearly ready for the parting board!
The new fuse design will be used, in different lengths, for the SH Series with wing spans from 40 to 60 inches.
Look for more design info coming as the project progresses.
Espen and his partner have designed a timing system for F3F. What is so special with this system? They have incorporated a weather station into the timing devise.
The device captures wind and direction measurements from leg one to leg ten, average values can be calculated for both parameters, and the results displayed along with the time of the flight.
As such, the CD or timing gear operator will be empowered to confirm the validity of the flight conditions.
See more here:
http://aerotorp.blogspot.com/2009/02/timing-gear-with-weather-station.html
They plan to make these units available for sale to the F3F community.
McLean’s Models – Brian McLean is a guy who builds super planes. I have both a Vindicator, which I bought used, and an Extreme, his high-performance sloper and DS ship. Even though I got the Vindicator used, Brian was helpful when I had a few questions about it. His willingness to help was part of the reason I ordered the new Extreme from him. I also love the way it looks!
Update: I got another Vindicator with the new Joe Wurts airfoil from Brian and a second Extreme. These are currently my favorite planes and Brian is always very helpful.
Update: Got a Vector2 this time! As always Brian’s craftsmanship is top notch.
Reese Productions – You gotta have Lift Ticket! It is a great overview of soaring in general and the DS stuff is like a classroom on the screen. Dave shipped quickly and puts out an excellent product.
Radio Carbon Art – I have purchased several videos and/or DVDs from Paul and they are all very well done. It is great to have something to watch when it is raining or we are immersed in another Wisconsin winter. Paul was always helpful when I had questions as well. If you want a great deal go for 2 or more. He offers a good discount for ordering more than one video at a time.
GULP
The GULP is designed and kitted by Steve Drake. It is an 60 inch flying wing with a cool fuselage shape. It is an EPP model designed for maximum DSing. Steve uses the proven MH-45 airfoil on the GULP.
The fuse is large enough to house all the radio gear internally. I used Hitec HS-225 servos and strip aileron controls to keep everything clean.
Specs
Airfoil: MH-45 modified
Span: 60 inches
Area: 570 sq/in
Surface loading: 9.1 oz/sqft
Weight: 36oz
Control: Elevons
Radio: GWS 8 channel receiver, Hitec HS-225MGs, 1400 mah pack.
Here are pictures of Greg’s GULP. Gotta make sure you know which side is which when DSing!
04/06/02 – Update
I got the new Gulp from Steve and he has added a nice touch to the kit. It now has the spar cavities routed out. Should make building faster and because they are the exact size for the included spars it may save a bit of Goop weight.
I’ve had a couple more days on the original and I am still very happy with it. I had a rude landing at Warnimont Park with it and walked away with no damage. Tough slopers rule!
03/22/02 – Update
Well, the minor repairs from the DS sessions in Kansas have been made and I have flown the Gulp several times in the last few days. It continues to impress me. It is nearly as fast as a 60 inch composite plane yet will hang in relatively light lift. On our hills it likes about 10-12 mph at least so it isn’t quite a Zagi THL but it is a heck of a lot better flying plane! I’ve got a DLG for when the lift is real light anyway. When the wind pick up the Gulp is just a joy to fly and that along with the incredible durability has put it on my “must have” list. I have already ordered another from Steve Drake. I wouldn’t want to be without one.
03/07/02 – 03/10/02 Flying at Wilson Lake in Kansas
I tried to do the Gulp in this weekend DSing at the dam at Wilson Lake in Kansas. It was howling at 35 to 40 and I had 22 ounces in the custom ballast tube in the wing. The DS circuit is about 10 feet off the deck in some places and meetings with the ground were inevitable. Besides blowing off the epoxyed on carbon wing tips, damage was limited to torn Ultracote and a slightly compressed nose. Did I mention that the lake side of the dam is all sharp boulders? I am replacing the carbon tips with EPP and covering with tape and Ultracote.
We also had a brief foamy pylon race. I races 2 regular JW’s and a new JW XL. The GULP smoked them. It turns better and pulls them on the straights. Steve, you may be getting an order or two out of Kansas. Everyone who saw it fly was very impressed.
02/10/02 – The first flight of the GULP in 25 mph winds with blowing snow and 30 degree temperature! It flies very well. I set it up per the instructions and they seem to be pretty close.
Some nice pictures (thanks Michael!) of a few of the most famous slopes in the world! If you are going to be in the area look at the Mid-Columbia Soarers website for directions and lodging info. I know that when I go there it will be for more than a day!
Montana Slope Flying Sites
Jim Crook – Missoula jimcrook@marsweb.com
I have flown on a local hill, that seemed fine to me, but I have never been to a slope site that was known as a good site so I have nothing to compare my hill to. If you are in the area, and you are a sloper, maybe you can give an experienced evaluation.
Here are the directions to the hill in Missoula.
It looks like it is possible to drive up to the hill, but the owners will NOT be happy. Please walk up so the sire remains open.
These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.
Missouri Slope Flying Sites
Fults Hill (OK so technically it is in Illinois, but it is only 45 minutes from ST Louis!)
This is a public park in rural Illinois about 45 minutes from downtown St. Louis, MO. Head South on Rt 3 to Waterloo, right on 156, make hairpin turn at abandoned gas station onto Bluff Rd., past village of Fults, look for sign on right that says Fults Hill. Hike up the left-hand trail (not the wooden stairs). Et voila.
It’s a pretty spot. A few pix are at:
http://mvsaclub.com/mvsa/Flying_Reports/Entries/2009/1/31_Fults.html
The flying is best with southwest winds, which luckily are the prevailing winds at the site.
For best info, check with Paul Luebke or Ken Trudeau of the Mississippi Valley Soaring Association.
Near Houghton, MI on the Keweenaw Peninsula
My suggested site is Great Sand Bay, in the Keweenaw Peninsula. It faces Northwest, looking over Lake Superior and has a cliff 50 to 100 ft high. The site is about 25 miles north of Houghton and Hancock. The nearest towns likely to be on a map are Eagle River and Eagle Harbor.
These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.
Frankfort, KY Slope
Discovered by Dave Smith of the Bluegrass Soaring Society.
We have discovered a good slope here in the Frankfort, KY area that generates some major lift. It is in the 500-600′ range in terms of height and is quite extensive. It is quite flyable in anything form 5+ mph winds (S, SW or SE) for the bigger ships. The landing area is all grass (at least 10+ acres). The only disadvantage is that the slope is tree covered, so combat is a no-no, because recovery would become a little involved (though not impossible). Randy Elkins and Gordy of LASS have flown it and have likened it to Parker Mt. in So. Cal. in terms of lift. Will keep you or anyone else interested informed regards conditions if you would like to fly there sometime.
Local Pilots
Aj akbhat1@pop.uky.edu BSS, KY
The slope is situated on state-owned property located behind the state forensic labs in Frankfort. To get there from Cincinnati, take1-75 South to I-64 West. Take I-64 West and make your exit at EXIT #58 which is US 60 and head in towards Frankfort (i.e. go right) and then make a left on the East-West connector (about 2 lights, at the intersection of US 60 and US 421), and go about 1.5 miles downhill and turn left (this is the first possible left that you can make). Look for the Forensic Labs on the left (corner of the intersection) that are housed in a modern looking building that resembles the Titanic due to the numerous smoke stacks sticking out of the roof. Drive up the road till it dead-ends into some construction and make a right angle turn and head to the parking area behind the building.
You can park your vehicle in the paved lot, and just head up the gentle grade in the general direction of the communicationtower. Once on top of the ridge, follow the path left (about 200-250 meters) till you come to an area that has a distinct clearing and you can look out over this fantastic but rugged slope. The landing area is to the rear and is mostly grassy (at least 10 acres) with one main area of trees and some very thorny bushes (the thorns are an inch or longer, so avoid this area at all costs).
The slope is best flown when the winds are from the South or Southwest. My first outing with my 60″ EPP Blue Max, was a great success, wind out of the south at about 10-15 mph. Toss the plane out and watch that baby climb almost vertically up and out. The best lift is to the right of the launch area, heading out towards the communication tower. Surprisingly, the lift zone prevails to at least an eighth of a mile out (extending out over the fields at the bottom of the slope). There is decent thermal activity in this area, as evidenced by the sudden lulls that we experienced, accompanied by major lift. Buzzards and other feathered friends are also abundant in this area, and are good indicators of lift. The drawback of this slope is its ruggedness, while its finer points include a reasonably large grassy landing area. It is probably not wise to fly too close to tree level, especially at the lower elevations of the slope except in good lift conditions, otherwise it is quite a long trek down to recover the downed plane. Combat maneuvers at this slope could also be hazardous to both you and your plane, for the very same reason. Buzz has suggested using the fields at the bottom as an emergency landing area in case recovery becomes impossible…. a most excellent idea. The fields appear to be accessible by road, and I’m sure we can get permission to do this when it becomes necessary. All in all, an excellent slope that can be flown by all. So gentlemen if you have anything reasonably rugged and flyable, come on out and enjoy.
For even more info on this site check out:
Thanks to Ben Wilson!
Slope flying in Chicago? Yep, thanks to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County access to the Greene Valley Hill is available on weekends with a valid permit from the Preserve Office call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 for more info.
From the Forest Preserve website:
The 190-foot Greene Valley hill is open to the public on weekends from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., spring through fall. A road leads from the base of the hill to a parking lot at the top, where visitors can get a bird’s-eye view of DuPage County as well as the Chicago skyline. Revenue generated from Greene Valley disposal operations, which ended in 1996, covered construction costs.
The introduction of native grasses and shrubs on the hillside will combine conservational and recreational objectives, attracting native songbirds and wildlife while providing visual relief for preserve passersby.
Model glider and sail-plane owners with valid District permits can fly their crafts from the hill. For permit information, call Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248.
Location: About half a mile south of 75th Street and Greene Road in Naperville, IL.
The website http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Greene_Valley.aspx provides directions and a map.
Best wind direction(s):
Time available: Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00AM to 6:00PM
Access restrictions: Requires a DuPage County model airplane permit which can be obtained through the mail or in person at the address given on the application form:
http://www.dupageforest.com/recreation/annualmodelair.pdf
Until there’s a frequency control board, flyers need to check in with the ranger at the top of the hill and provide frequency information.
Related Links
Greene Valley Slope Site – http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/Forest_Preserves/Greene_Valley.aspx
Polipoli is Maui’s “Bunny-slope”. It is the place to fly if you’re learning to fly something slow like a Gentle Lady. It’s also a great place if you’re interested in lazing in the sun flying a gentle gas-bag like the Lady or the Olympic II.
Thermal Soaring at Polipoli
Thanks to Duane Asami for permission to use this info.
Polipoli is a very scenic area on the slopes of Haleakala about 3,600 feet above sea-level. Located in Kula, it overlooks the isthmus that connects Haleakala to the West Maui mountains. I learned to fly gliders on this slope, as did many of the people in our club. Polipoli is a gorgeous spot to spend a quiet family outing enjoying the scenery. Often, the R/C glider folks can be found thermalling lazily for many peaceful hours.
Read more
These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.
Sloping the Kapuna Point Sea-Cliff at Waihe’e
Thanks to Duane Asami for permission to use this info.
In May of 1998, Alvin Battad of Kahului set the current A.M.A. Class-A Slope Duration Record at Kapuna Point. Members of M.I.S.O. met at 5:00 a.m. to get ready for Al’s flight and after much prodding, Al launched his Mel Culpepper designed Hummingbird at 5:40 a.m. Twelve-hours-twenty-eight minutes later, he landed with a great suntan and a new A.M.A. Record.
Kapuna Point, generally called Waihe’e (the nearest town) by the local fliers, is a small sea-cliff north of Wailuku. The flying there is great and the lift is endless when the trade-winds blow. Unfortunately, the landings there are not as wonderful as the flying. This is not the place to toss an expensive glass or carbon plane like a Vindicator. If you have a foamie or a less expensive hard-body plane, fine. You may get it home in one piece or you may have some new dings to reminisce about after you leave here. I learned to fly aileron ships at Waihe’e and I’m glad I started with a DAW P-51 foamie Mustang.
Planes that do well here are mostly the foamies, only because of the landing area. The DAW Foamie Mustang, the Studio-B EPPee, the Zagi, the Foameron, etc. Hard-bodies like CR’s Renegade and Excel fly very well here, but take a beating on the landings. When the winds are light, it’s also possible to fly polyhedral ships here such as the Gnome 2meter and the Sophisticated Lady.
WARNING: Before you fly at Waihe’e, you must understand one inviolable rule. You are not allowed to fly when there are people on horseback anywhere in the area. If there are people on horse-back anywhere in sight, DO NOT LAUNCH! If you are in the air when they enter the pasture, LAND THE PLANE! We are allowed to fly at this site only because we have the permission of the ranch which owns the pasture. They run trail rides for tourists. If your plane spooks a horse, someone could get hurt so they don’t allow anyone to fly when riders are anywhere in the area. If you can’t live with this restriction, don’t fly here…some of those cowboys take this stuff very seriously. There are several tales of fliers breaking these rules and being thrown out or punched out!
Finding this site is not particularly difficult. Follow Kahului Beach Rd. north-bound from Ka’ahumanu Ave. (the main highway connecting Kahului to Wailuku) along the coast past the harbor. Take Waiehu Beach Rd. (340) to the intersection with Kahekili Hwy. (330) Turn right and Kahekili Hwy. 330 becomes Kahekili Hwy. 340. Follow Kahekili Hwy. (340) to mile-marker 5, then measure exactly .5 (half) mile from the mile-post marker to a paved shoulder where you can park. Look out over the sea-cliff and you should see a natural arch in the rocky shoreline to the left and directly below you should be a short stick with a couple of plastic streamers on it.
Before you launch, check the wind. If it’s blowing at least 10 mph and if it’s blowing directly into your face from the sea, you’re alright. If it’s from the left, the lift is going to be poor and hard to fly. If you do decide to launch, look for lift way out on the right, just outside the cliff face and beyond the stand of ironwood trees. If the wind is from the right, DON’T LAUNCH. Flying at Waihe’e can be great but losing a plane there can happen in seconds and can be very permanent. It may look like a small pasture with short brush, but there are large (100″ span) planes still lost in the bushes there.
Flying at Waihe’e is wonderful. The view is great, the lift is nearly endless and it’s a ten minute drive to the nearest McDonald’s. Launch and fly straight towards the sea. Don’t expect much lift before you pass the cliff-face because it isn’t always there. Stay away from the bowl area on the right if you don’t have lots of altitude, the air gets really dirty really fast back there.
The landings at this site are interesting. Generally, you use that dirty air in the bowl on the right to kill off altitude as you approach from the right. Drop below the level of the hill to make your approach. As you climb, your plane will lose energy so you should be just above stall as you get to the top of the hill and can land without skidding too far. The landings are generally cross wind here, otherwise you’ll be landing with your plane speeding towards you. Not so bad if you judge the approach perfectly but not to great if you misjudge and put the plane into the fence or your car. Also, be careful of the short scruffy looking bushes, they eat carbon-fiber wings for lunch.
Local Pilots
Update 08/05/03:
Regarding the “South Florida Slope Site” post from Charles Lillo, the park he referred to is called Vista View Park and is now open to the public. However, radio-controlled model aircraft are not and never were permitted there.
Along with a growing group of interested local glider flyers and AMA Flying Site Assistance Coordinator Joe Beshar, I am currently in the process of attempting to obtain the permission of Broward County park management to use the hill there for slope soaring. If successful, we intend to form an AMA chartered club called the Vista View Slope Soaring Society.
Read more
Check out this site at:
http://www.ov-10bronco.net/users/merlin/flight/slopesoar.htm
Here is a brief excerpt.
“Believe it or not, slope soaring is entirely possible here in sunny Florida, despite the fact that within 30 miles of the coast the ground rarely gets more than fifty feet above sea level. While our thermals in the summertime have been known to lift small houses off their foundations, the cooling seabreezes that form much of the year are a convenient source of lift along our beaches. Slope soaring is not difficult for anyone who is capable of flying a model sailplane safely. It also offers some unique qualities and opportunities not found in thermal flying. This section will cover a beach environment like we have in Florida, but applies also to any slope with a bit of flat area in front… hills, mountains, large flat-sided buildings, highway overpasses, etc.”
Chris Wells sent in this story.
Site: Carlos Canyon
Description: a pit with 25-30′ of slope, soarable in 270′ of wind direction. (South winds are no good) Probably needs a 20 mph wind to be soarable for most gliders, a Zagi THL is fine on 10-15mph.
Location: off of route 27, maybe a mile north of I4 & 27.
Directions: Go north on 27 off of interstate 4. After about a mile, there is an intersection with a Walgreen’s. Continue north on 27 and take the next right. Go straight onto the dirt road, and if you don’t have 4WD you want to take a right at the fork, since there is deep sand going straight. Watch out for sharp objects. The road on the right ends at the NW corner of the pit. You can also drive down the main road to the NE corner, don’t drive around the pit itself unless you have 4WD: the sand is incredibly soft.
Florida… Hills???
Well, actually we fly off the local landfill. Yes, A LANDFILL! As we are always on the upwind side it works out very well.
PHF website http://www.phflyers.com
Hello Greg, I have been soaring the only site I knew of near Lake Okeechobee until I saw your links. I put together a web page describing it for anyone interested in it.
Just wanted to let you know of a new site for Florida flyers. I found your website a week ago, and saw your “Flying site” section for Florida, and clicked on it to find a site right down the street from me! WOW!….In flat Florida!
I have been soaring the only site I knew of near Lake Okeechobee until I saw your links. I put together a web page describing it for anyone interested in it. I have been flying R/C for 25 yrs, Hang gliding for 10yrs and slope flying for about a year. I am now an R/C slope junkie, bigtime.
Please link my site to your flying site section to benefit any other FL flyers that are looking for somewhere to fly.
Thanks for the great site.
Ted J Conowal
http://www.geocities.com/mod_gotha1/SB_ZAGI.html?1108273934213
Thanks, Ted!
Mirko sent in this report on slope soaring in Florida the 30 foot dunes at Merrit Island located about 10 miles north of Cape Canaveral. If you look closely at the photos you will see the gantries in the background for shuttle launches!
We drove from Orlando to this area (Titusville) in a little over an hour. Merritt Island is a viable slope. It is situated just 10 miles or so north of Cape Canaveral with a series of continuous dunes of about 30 feet high. Facing ENE, these bluffs are completely covered with vegetation, where walking is forbidden. Every several hundred yards there are raised, wooden decks that transverse the dunes. These walkways are the only access to the beach area.
Read more
Greg from Florida sent in several slopes in and around the Clearmont area. Nice to know that there is sloping going on in Florida!
1 – There is a slope behind the Bob Evans restaurant on SR 27 off of Johns Lake Rd 2 minutes south of were SR 50 & SR 27 cross which is good for a south wind only. It is approx. 250 ft wide by 30 ft high and a good 45% angle all short grass with a large plateau to land on behind the top, But there are power lines at each end followed by two busy roads, Accurate flying is a must.
Read more
With all the mountains in Colorado you’d expect some great sloping, and you’d be right!
These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.
Loveland Pass, Colorado
reported by Kou Vang
US Hwy 6 bypass off interstate 70 before entering the tunnels. You climb about 2000 ft. on hairpin roads to 11,900 feet. Parking is available and trails lead even further up the mountains. As part of the Rocky Mountain chain and the Continental Divide you can fly either off the East face or the West face depending on wind direction. Should be flyable in any other wind direction that may develop. The day we were there it was extremely windy 25 mph or more from the East so I flew off the East face. There are 500-2000 ft. drop-offs, which create enormous lift generating 500+ ft of flying altitude. I was not prepared and only flew for 30 minutes. Bring gloves, coat, and water if you plan to fly because the wind is cold and the air is thin. If not flying just stop by for the beautiful view. The pass is open when weather permits.
Denver, Colorado
Check out Ian Frechette’s reviews of Denver area slope sites.
http://www.houseofthud.com/Denver_RC_soaring_sites_reviewed.html
There are numerous great spots for slope soaring in Northern California. This article has links to other sites with more info
These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.
Northern California
Davenport is about 15 miles north of Santa Cruz just off HWY 1. The flying site is just across the highway from Big Creek Lumber. You’ll see a small hanger with a windsock on top and the runway at the cliffs edge. ( Imagine crosswind landings in a 310 or Baron! ) Find a parking place on the ocean side and follow the trail to the cliff’s edge.
Sunset State Beach is a few miles south of Santa Cruz near Watsonville. Wind normally builds in the afternoon. Not really a morning spot. Go here for directions:
http://udel.edu/~lisansky/sunset.html
There are many places near San Francisco. Check out this site for more info.
http://www.geocities.com/soaringbythebay/
or Axel’s Bay Area Soaring Information at:
http://home.comcast.net/~axelb/start.html
If you are in the East Bay area try:
http://www.soarheads.com
Around Trukee, Tahoe and Grass Valley try Rob Crockett’s Gold Country R/C Soaring site:
http://www.ncws.com/rcrock/sites.htm
Southern California boasts some of the most famous slopes in our sport. This article includes links to other sites with more information.
These are locations we have had the privilege to fly. Some may have access restrictions.
Check with local flyers for information.
For Torrey Pines info:
http://www.torreypinesgulls.org/
List of the best sloping spots in SoCal:
http://www.sloperacing.com/sites/locations.htm
Jon Paul sent this link with info on sites in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Malibu and Playa del Rey:
http://www.geocities.com/jpberti/rc.htm
Southern California Soaring Clubs:
http://www.sc-2.org/
Inland Slope Rebels
http://www.inlandsloperebels.com/index.htm
You can start following slopeflyer.com Twitter. Search for “theslopeflyer”. Yeah, I was a bit late in getting to Twitter so someone already got slopeflyer.