***!!! that wind

[nolasco]

What are the design parameters to consider when one is building a small, and hopefully slow, flyer (7oz or less) that can handle 10-15 mph winds?

My just built 7oz "White Baron" (i.e. biplane with wing and tail surfaces made from white meat tray foam) was flying along nice and slow when the wind started blowing. Well, the poor thing just got blown around by the wind. Not wanting to give up, I switched to a larger battery pack. That solved it for a while, until the wind picked up again.

In the end, I lost two props, a spoked wheel, and possibly also my new GWS S1 gear drive. I also have a cracked pylon and a detached tail wheel assembly. Finally, my formerly pristine white wings now have a whole bunch of chips and lacerations.

By the way, yesterday my 4oz Rogallo was ... you guessed it ... banged into pieces by this same wind that doesn't seem to want to go away.

Since I want to have my revenge on the wind, I was wondering if a scaled down powered Pibros, Mugi, and/or any other delta wing weighing 5-6oz. will do the trick. Remember, I want them small and hopefully slow.

Since I have more than a dozen N20 and B2 motors waiting for some direct and/or geared drive action, with 20 more coming in soon, I would like a design that makes good use of them. :)

Any ideas/comments/suggestions?

Jun Nolasco

P.S. The score so far:

Wind: 2 Points
Jun: 0 Points

:eek:

[jberg]

Hi,

I think there is no hope for a *slow* model to win against the wind. On the other hand, a *small* model is no problem. Just add enough power, but then you have to train your reflexes.

I have had enough crashes in cases where I just did not want to believe that it is too windy. In most cases it is too windy. My rule of thumb: Look out of the window. If you see anything moving outside (trees, plants, etc.), then it is no slow flyer weather, period. Take the Pico-Jet instead and have fun.

[ 08-08-2001: Message edited by: jberg ]

[pease1]

I have found the additional speed that my Electric Mite helps it handle more wind. Of course speed makes it a parkflier not a slow flier. It's still small enough to be considered 'microflight' material though.

My tiny with GWS 9x7 prop and an 8 cell NiMh pack handles wind pretty damned good for a 5oz model. Sure it hovers, but the ailerons help you 'fight' the buffeting of the wind.

Still, a 5oz model isn't going to handle a 10-15mph wind. That's a tall order for many RC planes. I agree with the Pico-Jet idea. But then again I don't consider the Pico Jet a parkflier.

Al

[jimwalker]

Just my .02 worth....

My weather test is the same, if I see anything moving during a long glance out the window, it's risky for flying the small stuff (which is all I fly by the way). If I immediately see movement upon looking outside, then forget it, it's suicide!!

I also agree that you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you have a slow flyer that is small and doesn't weigh much, common sense tells me any wind at all will dismember it quickly.

I'm originally from Oklahoma and the favorite saying of all the veterans was "If you don't learn to fly in the wind, you're just not going to fly..." They all had 60 powered slimers which is one of the major reasons I quit the hobby. Now I've moved to New Mexico where the average wind for the year is much less, which was a major factor in me starting back into the hobby. I always liked the small quiet stuff, but until recently the equipment wasn't feasible and the wind was too high...

Jim

[redbaron47]

nolasco,

Just a thought. I fly here in Delaware which should have a climate similar to yours. I fly at daybreak most every day and there's usually zero to very little wind.

This may not fit your schedule.

[pease1]

Ditto here - only 1 hour before sunset for me - just can't get up that early!

Al

[jberg]

Hi,

isn't the Lakehurst hangar near NYC? There is a club that uses it for indoor flying (although it is so huge that it may have its own climate :)). Or does just everything that is at the east coast of the USA look close together if you sit in Europe?

[nolasco]

I guess I am asking quite a lot from these little slow flying buggers.

There might still be some hope though for a 7oz (or under) flyer. Someone has a 5.5oz Pibros (a 31.5" delta foamie slope soarer that normally weighs 8oz) that reportedly handles 20mph winds just fine. I wonder if a powered version (full size, lightened, and/or scaled down) might do the trick.

Aside from the fact that this thing seems to fly fast (thus eliminating it as a slow flyer), are there any other gotchas when flying deltas?

And just in case all else fails, and this wind doesn't quit real soon now, is there anyone who can recommend a suitable indoor site here in NYC. I normally fly at a playground just four blocks from Grand Central Station.

Thanks to everyone.

Jun Nolasco

[Jason Nowell]

I'll agree with the AM thing, we regularly meet at 7:00 am and fly with almost perfect conditions every time. Also, try WeatherBug software. (www.weatherbug.com). It allows you to pick a live weather station usually only a few miles from your house or flying field and get LIVE data from it. It gives you a 20 minute average of wind conditions as well as gust maximums and current wind speed.

We have had good luck flying FREE at Boy's Clubs, YMCA's and community recreation centers. Anything with a basketball court will do and it never hurts to ask. If you want to pay, try your local skating rinks.

The one last place I fly is at a park near my house. There is a large hole (looks almost like a big crater about half the size of a football field. I've never felt any wind down in it becuase it is also surrounded by trees.

My theory, if it's always windy, find a hill and go slope soaring :) A few of my slow flyers do great on the smallest of slopes.

[gjohnson]

I've begun morning flying. Because of the work I'm in I leave the house at about 6:35am for the train every day. Lately I've taken to having my Lite Stik sitting on my workbench ready to fly. I get up 10 minutes earlier, grab the plane and fly it from my front yard (I live on a slight hill on a loop, and have to fly above the landscaping trees). 10 minutes later the plane is back in the basement and I'm driving to work. There is almost never any wind that time in the morning. So, if you get up early anyway I'd suggest it. It's a nice way to start your day.

[Rekit]

I fly first thing in the morning, Here in the Dallas area it is the only "calm" time of the day. Even at that I have not been able to fly for the last 3 days!

Lynn

[miniman]

i built the pibros. i would sujest that, but dont use micro servos, use a regular size, mine cand handle about 20mph winds. i like that because i live on a hill and its constintly windey here

[nolasco]

I just built a Pibros scaled down to 22.25" and weighing 5oz for the body (under 7oz with battery and radio gear). Eventhough I did not have a hill nearby and thus used a parking lot, I was quite happy with the end result. The poor thing was a bit banged up though after all that contact with the cement.

Would anyone care to suggest a suitable power system for this? Currently, I am looking at one of the following in pusher configuration:

- quad N20 direct drive
- dual GWS direct drive
- geared, hand-wound MiniZ
- geared Tamiya Plasma Dash

Jun Nolasco

Originally posted by miniman:
<STRONG>i built the pibros. i would sujest that, but dont use micro servos, use a regular size, mine cand handle about 20mph winds. i like that because i live on a hill and its constintly windey here</STRONG>

[ 08-16-2001: Message edited by: nolasco ]