andy watson Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Well the title sort of sums it up. I got my hands on a cheap Flair Fledgling glider. 2 channels, 71" wingspan, pretty rugged construction. There are some lovely big hill around lancashire, so I plan to climb one and throw my plane off the top!!I am at about A certificate standard for powered flight, but have never done gliding. Current gliding knowledge can be easily summarised:1) Big hills cause lift2) Wind causes lift3) Don't turn down wind.What else should I know before I release my plane to the elements (reasonable chance of a dog and missus along, so I want to get it right or I will never live it down. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 1a) Lift is a funny old thing and does not always go hand in hand with wind or big hills2b) see 1a 2c) Wind also causes stomach pains and a bad smell at times 3) You will have to at some point if you want it back Probably would be best to see if you could get someone experienced to go along for your first session - they will be able to read the conditions a little better and decide if the lift is suitable for the model. If it isnt, and you end up struggling to keep her airborne, is there decent walking /scrambling down the hill to recover it if necessary?If you do end up going it alone, then always make sure you have a clear area behind you where you will (hopefully) end up on landing. Dogs and wives have a habit of appearing out of nowhere just at the crucial moment. Please refrain from any jokes about wives and dogs in the same sentence...or indeed about wives appearing at in-appropriate times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopetrashuk Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Mind the big Green*/Muddy*/Rocky*/Concrete*/Wet bit.*delete as appropriate. and remember Slope means :SmashedLostOrPulverisedEventuallyGlad to help.Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Foreman Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Which hill were you thinking? I havn't been slope soaring since I was a lad back in 1988 but we used to fly off Parlick, Jeoffreys Hill and sometimes Beacon Fell if the wind was blowing the right way. I know Eric Bray flies off Rivington, I still have a half completed Rivington Hawk Eric designed which I intend to finish one day and go soping again, my first Rivington Hawk was a blast but the repairs and weight built up too much so I started building the 2nd one.Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopetrashuk Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hey up. Ow did ah miss tha were a lancashire lad?Reet on mi doorstep.Eric - Have I seen you up Rivvy? Came off Noon hill yesterday with blue fingers. Planning a return vist Sat/Sun if the snow holds off.......Andy(in westhoughton) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopetrashuk Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 It would of course be remiss of me not to tow the corporate line and point you at the most excellent 'Soaring Start up' feature in the recent RCM&E special edition (written by some strange bloke) which carries all the answers you seek...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lloyd Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 If it helps, I too was unsure and nervous with my first 'chuck' - which was only about a week or so ago. Since then I have been out 5 or 6 times, and getting better all the time (I think anyway).But you'll get over it - especially if your model bounces like my Wildthing. Just do it - it will fly, believe me! Just don't go hanging on the elevator thinking that will keep it up - it won't. Keep the airspeed up, and all should be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peewhit Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The flying bit is relatively easy providing that you don't attempt any drastic manouvers (keep it gentle all the way) and don't turn towards the hill unless planning to land.A 2 channel rudder/elevator model relies on wing dihedral to turn, and rudder response is generally somewhat delayed so be patient and watch the thing all the time.It's the landing bit that's hard and this is where the "crunch" usually happens.It helps to have a large flat landing area and, if the slope is steep, land well behind it to avoid the vortex downdraft near the edge.What colour is your model? - they tell me that white ones are hard to find in the snow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lloyd Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 If your'e anything like me Phil, you'll find yourself activley looking for anything slope-related, over and above anything else. I'm beginning to think that there should be a specialist glider/slope mag, as Andy's column could easily go up a few pages; test new models, review old ones, give tutorials, highlight favourite sites, show us sexy mouldies, how-to's etc etc, - what d'you think, Ed?Slope soaring seems to offer so much - it's a real challenge, the sites are specacular, models georgous - and yet those that fly the slopes really have great fun and don't take it all too seriously - which is so refreshing after my experiences at my local traditional club.Oh, and instead of costing in the order of £100 + BMFA a year, my local soaring association membership is a token £3 a year. Now thats credit crunching fun - and no glo fuel to buy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopetrashuk Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 The trick is not in the hitting but the avoiding..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peewhit Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 The ground is hard.The glider is not so hard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopetrashuk Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Some of my gliders are much harder than the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Morgan Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Well I started sloping properly about a year ago. I tell you the cost has gone through the roof I have practically given up on power flying , I have a token speedair and a wildcard that needs repairing . but if you look at my slope hanger its full to bursting , I absolutly love slope flying even bought a snow suit type thing for this time of year. And if your planning a trip to the Orme expect to come away with an imaginary elastic band attached because you will just have to keep going back again and again.No need to say have fun because you willBest regardsLee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lloyd Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Hi LeeYour costs may have gone through the roof - but remember we need to practice our arguments for when we hear 'but haven't you got enough planes?' when asked what we would like for Christmas/Birthday/Fathers Day etc.So far I have extolled the virtues of standing slopeside as being both cheaper and healthier - and the really big feeling is that NOT having shelled out for a year's club membership means that there is less pressure to pack the car with fuel and planes in order to 'get your money's worth'. Besides, that £100 would buy a nice PSS or go towards that mouldie!Nope, there's no looking back for me - apart from when my WT is blown over the ridge and I'm wondering whether it has come down this side of that nasty barbed-wire fence or not. AND I'm now considering purchasing a 60" racer and having a bash with the fellas on the Mynd...BTW - is this a common side effect; pointing and shouting 'hey that looks like it would make a great slope' when out in the car...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Definately - along with all the other side effects such as not being able to stand and talk to someone without a disticnt tilting toward the bow, asking people to SPEAK UP!, and constant visits to XC weather site hoping for lousy power flying weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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