Steve Colman Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I'm thinking of adding a thermal motor glider of around 3m to my hangar. I'm very interested in the Reichard Ellipsoid Evo. There is now an updated version called the "Pro" which has flaps and comes at a premium of 30 Euros over the 240 Euros for the 4ch. I fly most types of models but don't particularly specialise in any. As such, I'm not looking for the ultimate in performance, more a gentle relaxing flyer to enjoy on a lovely summer afternoon/evening. Our club strip is over 200m long and surrounded by open ground.. My question is, do I really need flaps? A friend flies a Reichard Proxima 2 and he's removed the flap servos, preferring the simplicity. I appreciate of course, that they do add something extra to the glider guiding experience but I also wonder whether I'll ever really use them or not. Your words of wisdom kindly sought. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 What radio do you have? If it is capable of driving a full house 4 servo wing setup (i.e. flaps, crow brakes, snap-flap and quattro flap) I would recommend you go for the flapped version. Yes it will be more complex to setup initially, but it gives you loads more options to improve performance and land on the spot. It will also help teach you the true capabilities of your radio which may help improve your setups on other models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Based on your description I'd say you don't need flaps for what you have planned for the model. I'd add that all the models I have with flaps they have an awfull lot of use which includes both powered models and gliders. They give an extra envelope to the models performance but it's horses for courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZ e flyer Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I have just purchased and received a Phoenix evolution which has a combination of 1.6m or 2.6m wing span. The 2.6 has flaps but the 1.6 doesn't. As of yet I have not assembled or flown it but all my research indicates people preferring flaps on a glider so they can mix in crow, camber etc.. For me, it has just increased the ramp on the learning curve. I am however, looking forward to getting it in the air and testing its capabilities. Best of luck with whichever you choose TP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 I don't have any experience of this particular glider but if you find yourself in a boomer of a thermal with a slippery three meter span glider I would think that you would be very reassured if you had crow brakes (or spoilers) fitted to get you down safely. It looks like a nice model Steve so whichever one you choose, you should have a lot of fun. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 08/04/2017 19:53:39 Edited By Piers Bowlan on 08/04/2017 19:55:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Piers makes a good point. I am comfortable with thermal models up to ~2m having no braking mechanism (spoilerons are generally enough to get you out of a boomer), but would not want to go above that size without at least spoilers and ideally crow. With skill and experience it's possible to escape even with only r/e control, but if you are new to big gliders having that additional ability to increase your descent rate dramatically without overstressing the airframe may enable you to avoid a total loss. Edited By MattyB on 08/04/2017 20:17:30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Hi Steve, in my experience flaps on all models are a gift of God, my Heron would never landed without them .... So .... flaps yes of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Many thanks gents, Flaps it is then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Good decision. What radio do you have Steve? We may be able to help you with a suitable 4 servo wing setup. If you have an OpenTX based set (9X, 9XR, Taranis or Horus) I highly recommend Mike Shellim's setups; he has one that is dedicated for e-soaring use and is fully documented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Hi MattyB, It's a DX8. Not the most user friendly for glider setups but It's nothing I can't sort out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 Hmm, ok. Not an ideal radio for sailplanes, but with the update they added in 2013 a passable if slightly compromised setup is possible. These resources should help: DX8 sailplane programming thread, RCGroups (use "Search this thread" function to find answers to specific questions) Sherman Knight's (HH pilot) sailplane setup guide v2 Sailplane setup walk through Edited By MattyB on 09/04/2017 19:40:59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 Hi Matt, I had read parts of the RC Groups thread but the Sherman Knight PDF is new to me so thanks very much. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 9, 2017 Share Posted April 9, 2017 He has posted a demo SPM file somewhere too, but it no longer seems to be on RCGroups. Try the Spek downloads website maybe (though the buttons seem dead on iOS devices). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Just checked, must be a Flash website... Works fine on a PC, here's the relevant page (Radian Pro SPM download from the button in the middle; don't ask me how to get it on your radio though, I don't use Spek). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 I think this is a, " how long is a piece of string" question. I have gliders, up to 3m that are rudder/elevator only, (Bird of Time), and I have never had any issues with not having flaps or spoilers. You just need to allow for a long approach on landing. I also have a 3m F5J full house model, and in still air, even with full crow, it can be a handful to get onto the deck as there can be little wind resistance on the flaps/ailerons to slow it down. And then I find I can sometimes get caught in ground effect, so it still just wants to keep going on forever. Of course, if you have a bit of a breeze against it, that helps greatly. My two pennith worth. Steve A470soaring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Colman Posted April 10, 2017 Author Share Posted April 10, 2017 Thanks for the input Steve. Now, things are getting out of hand as I've found myself looking at the slighty larger Sirius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted April 10, 2017 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Posted by Steve Houghton 1 on 10/04/2017 16:17:21: I think this is a " how long is a piece of string" question. I have gliders, up to 3m that are rudder/elevator only, (Bird of Time), and I have never had any issues with not having flaps or spoilers. You just need to allow for a long approach on landing. I also have a 3m F5J full house model, and in still air, even with full crow, it can be a handful to get onto the deck as there can be little wind resistance on the flaps/ailerons to slow it down. And then I find I can sometimes get caught in ground effect, so it still just wants to keep going on forever. Of course, if you have a bit of a breeze against it, that helps greatly. The models the OP is looking at are a lot more like your F5J than they are a lightly loaded, comparatively draggy old timer like a BoT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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