Introduction to Gliding (part1)

You may ask yourself the question why would someone be interested in flying a glider? Probably every glider pilot will have his own story, but here is mine. I started flying RC with a Gentle Lady (still have it!) and launched it with a bungee. The friend who taught me how to fly RC was a full-size glider pilot himself except for being an exceptional RC pilot. So I was lucky to learn from him to read the air and be able to catch thermals. I built several power models after that, but had not have much luck in learning to fly them and the damage was always very expensive. At that time I started to follow the SA glider community news. The Goodrums produced a kit of a 2m glider which had better performance than the GL I was flying and I acquired one. This model had a fibreglass fuz and veneer covered foam wings but still only Rudder/Elevator control. I also built several larger gliders like a Sagita (2,5m) and others with basic wood building material from plans. By this time I discovered the slope at Volksrust and built many models which could be flown off the slope. Slope flying is still one of the most amazing experiences for me. Flying at the slope also improved my flying skills. Back to Thermal flying, at some stage I visited one of the Highveld Thermal league competitions as a spectator and saw this is what I want to do. The gliders were mostly moulded high-tech models. I started taking part in an entry level thermal competition for 2m gliders which was called G2K. This helped me improve by leaps in air reading and precision flying. As with any competitive environment, I soon realised I need a better model to do better. To improve my model I had to understand some aerodynamic principals and lots of time was spent on research and discussions on the internet. I also took part in the National postal competition which can be done at your own club and is flown 4 times per year. Gliding (slope and thermal) kept me busy for the biggest part of the year or is it all the time I had available.

I later built a Bubble Dancer from freeware plans designed by Dr Mark Drela which was my first high-tech glider (but still only Rudder Elevator Spoiler) for competitions. I used this model to enter in the Highveldt Thermal league successfully for a few years and Nationals. My first ”full-house” glider was also a scratch built of the Supra designed by Dr Mark Drela. I am currently busy to build (very slowly) another Supra and I now own a moulded Supra which was manufactured in Eastern Europe. I have built many other gliders from, discus hand launch, Scale, electric, to many to mention.

I believe one of the aspects that draw me to gliders is the technical aspect in the design and construction of the models. Model gliders are at this stage at the forefront of development in RC. The state of art glider is manufactured in negative moulds from composite materials like Fibre glass, Kevlar and Carbon fibre. The empty model cost in the area of R10000-R15000. The wing profiles have been developed and tested in wind tunnels. The construction techniques have improved drastically in the past decade alone. As an example, the wing thickness of a modern glider at the root is about 20mm for a cord of 250mm and span of 3,4m (Supra). The wing spar which carry most of the load during launch have to be designed to fit in this thin wing. The pull load on the wing is in the order of 50-80 kg during a launch. Another aspect which I find interesting is the programming and set up of the models. With 4 servos in the wing and up to 5 flight modes (Launch, Speed, Thermal, Cruse and Land) which are used to change the camber of the wing and the modern computer radio you are able to take full advantage of all the aerodynamics for better control of your flight path. The best part however is the gliding community. If you are flying a GL or a state of the art model, all are welcome to fly and test your abilities even if it is only to measure your own improvement. It is mostly like minded people who like to share their knowledge and passion for models. I have made so many glider friends over the years due to the fact that they made time to help me, and it taught me to do the same. As you saw from my story above, it is not necessary to have the best and latest equipment in order to enjoy and take part in model gliding.

Cheers

Gert

Sunday flying.

Well, the weather on Sunday was absolutely beautiful for flying, and quite a lot of the guys turned up at the field to take advantage of the fine day. Henk se Edge 540. -- from hyper7pro - (?) My Skybolt coming in for a "touch and go". -- from hyper7pro - (?)

-- from hyper7pro - (?) Marius Burger built this absolutely beautiful little plane. The trim flight was a little rough because of elevator over sensitivity. After landing, he cut about 1 cm off the elevator, and the next three flights was awesome! The little engine runs full blast until the tank is empty, and then you do a few slow graceful gliding circuits, and then the landing. This is probably the last post for 2007, so seasons greetings, and a prosperous 2008 to everybody! Last but certainly not least, I would like to congratulate Dirk and Juanita on the birth of their daughter.

Piet Retief 10/11 November 2007

Ek ,Juanita ,Werner ,Juan ,Louis en Henk het die naweek van die 10/11 November aan Pietretief se Fly-in gaan deelneem. Die weers omstandighede die Saterdag was goed as die wind nie gewaai het nie sou dit uitstekend gewees het. Die opkoms vir die twee dae was nie verskriklik waffers nie ,maar tenspyte daarvan was dit groot pret. Hulle mooi grasbane alleenlik maak dit al ‘n aangename ervaring om daar te gaan vlieg, ek dink persoonlik dit is een van die mooiste en beste velde in die land. Hulle kubhuis bestaan uit ‘n ou plaasopstal wat omring is met groen bome en grasgroen grasperke en al die nodige geriewe wat nodig is indien jy daar sou wou kampeer vir die naweek.

Om terug te kom na die vlieg toe, Werner het definitief die “show” Saterdag gesteel met sy Ultimate en ‘n mens kon sien dat hy dit geniet het. Sy prophangs was meesterlik gedoen wat dit baie maklik laat lyk het wat tot gevolg gehad het dat ‘n paar ander pilots dit ook wou probeer ,maar al wat hulle reg gekry het was om die res van ons agter die dikste ysterpaal wat jy kon kry te laat wegkruip, angswekkend se ek vir julle. Die res van ons het ook ‘n paar lekker vlugte ingekry en ek kan met trots se dat die TRMC manne se vlieg vernuf definitief op ‘n bogemiddelde standaard is. Ek & Juanita het die Saterdag aand oorgebly en ‘n draai gaan maak by die Reënboogfees ,moet erken ek was aangenaam verras gewees en dit was voorwaar ‘n lekker makiete gewees met Gaskunstenaars soos Pieter Smit ;Dozi ;Riaan v. Rensburg (Noot vir Noot) en van 2006 se Idols wenners.

Sondag oggend het ons maar gesukkel om aan die gang tekom weens die vorige aand se buitemuurse aktiwiteite.Ek het ongeveer so 9:30 by die vliegveld aangekom en was aangenaam verras om te sien dat die Ermelo en Vrede manne ook besluit het om te kom saam speel. Die weer was aansienlik beter as die vorige dag en ons het die lug behoorlik rooi geverf. Oo! ja en moenie die waterbom vergeet wat nou al tradisie geword het nie ,een van die plaaslike brand bestrydings vliegtuie kom gooi gewoolik vir ons so ‘n 3000 liter waterbom net om die lug wat ons so aan die brand gevlieg het bietjie aftekoel en as daardie klomp water eers uit is dan word ons nou mos gewys wat daardie vliegtuig met ‘n lee blaas kan doen. Soos gewoonlik was Pietretief ‘n aangename ervaring ek dink wat dit so uniek maak is die mooi rustige fasiliteite en die feit dat jy nie vertrap word nie en dan natuurlik die gasvryheid. Tenspyte van die feit dat daar nie honderde vliegtuie was nie is daar altyd ‘n goeie verskeidenheid van mooi skaal vliegtuie.

So om optesom as jy lus is vir ‘n rustige naweek wegbreek en vir vlieg en nie kan besluit wat om te doen nie, is die antwoord baie maklik, sorg dat jy die volgende Pietretief Fly-in gaan bywoon want dit gaan aan beide jou behoeftes van vlieg en rus voldoen.

TRMC Groete,

Dirk

Sea Fury

Hi,

Hier is 'n update van Marius af oor die vordering van sy Sea Fury. Dit is 'n pragtige model!

Hier is 'n paar details:
Die model is 'n Balsacraft kit. Ek het carbon stringers in die fuselage en vlerk ingebou, maar verder geen veranderings nie. Covering is met silkspan tissue en poli-uretaan, daarna geverf met Tamiya akriel verf.
Die ailerons, elevator en rudder moet nog gecover word.
Details:
Vlerkspan 48"
Gewig 1.6kg
Wing loading 54g/vk.dm (19.7oz/vk.ft)
Motor Mega 22/30/3 brushless inrunner 1250Kv
3s Lipo, 3700mAhr, 20c Polyquest
10x6 prop teen ongeveer 11000rpm, teen 37A, d.w.s meer as 100w/lb.

Sterk Wind, Maar thermals

Ek was vandag (Sondag) alleen by die veld. Die wind het meeste ouens seker weggewaai. Met die regte vliegtuig maak dit nie baie saak nie. Ek het lekker thermals in die sterk wind gekry met my F5B Jazz Elektriese Hotliner sweeftuig. Die vlerkspan is so 1.8m en die motor gebruik so 40A as dit aan is. Die gewig is omtrent 1.5kg wat maak dat dit maklik kan penetreer en met hoe spoed kan vlieg.
Groete
Gert
PS Die veld lyk op sy beste met al die groen gras.

Kort breek in die reen weer

Die son het Sondag middag kop uitgesteek en 'n hele paar ouens het by die veld opgedaag. Dit was van korte duur voordat 'n donker wolk weer oor die veld veskyn het. Dit was egter nog steeds lekker om weer uit te kom . Die veld lyk nou baie mooi groen.

Modder !!

Ek het gesien dat die reen ons kans gee vandag (Saterdag 20 Okt) en het so 13H00 klub toe gegaan. Die pad is baie glad, selfs die Rav het amper vasgesit. Het meestal aleen gevleig totdat Derek ook daar aangekom het met sy twee seuns. Ek het met die F-15 park jet gevlieg en toe met my Cumulus elektriese sweeftuig. Het lekker in die Thermals gespeel vir so 20min op die een vlug.
Derek het 2 elektriese vliegtuie gebring, altwee vir maiden vlugte. Die pragtige Spittie het egter 'n probleem met die ESC gehad en kon nie vlieg nie. Die Cub het mooi gevlieg maar is nogal 'n hand vol. Die veld is BAIE nat en modderig, maar dit was regtig lekker om uit te kom na al die reen en wind die laaste tyd. Ek verneem van William dat hy ook nou 'n elektriese Stick het.
















Vir die ouens wat lanklaas by die veld was. So lyk dit nou!

















Op die foto van die Rav moet jy eintlik die laag modder om die bande kon sien.















Cheers
Gert

Feel like buying something?

For Sale

1.Sig ¼ Scale Spacewalker with OS FT 120 Gemini twin R5 000

2.CMP Katana 140 with OS 160 and pitts style muffler still in box R4 500

3.CMP Edge 540T 120 with Magnum 120 R2 500

4.Hangar 9 Cessna 182 complete with servo R4 800

5.Yak 54 with 45cc GR-Pro petrol motor R5 500

6.JR 9XII complete with autoscan receiver 4 servo battery pack R4 200

7.JR 7channel fm autoscan receiver with 4 servo switch and battery pack R 800

8.Hangar 9 twist with asp 40 R1 000

Werner 084 580 2511

Johann en Louis

Johann en Louis
Originally uploaded by bkriegler

Ek help Louis om reg te maak vir sy vlug gedurende die Guiness Rekord poging in Oudtshoorn. Daar was op die ou end 49 vliegtuie gelyk in die lug, in 3 verskillende circuits. Dit was ongelooflik om die lug te aanskou, vliegtuie net waar jy kyk! Dit was selfs op SABC se nuus uitgesaai. :o)

Verbasend genoeg was daar op die ou end geen ongelukke waarvan ek weet nie.

Dit was baie koud en nat, vreemd vir Oudtshoorn.

(Dankie vir die foto, Bennie!)

Sunday flying

Well, we had a great afternoon at the field today! We had a small competition, and the results is in: 1. D Fourie 72% 2. W Potgieter 63% 3. J Snyman 52% 4. L Vermaak 20% I think the judges was a bit tough today, but we all had fun! (I have to mention that there was a really bad crosswind too!) PS: Thanks to the judges, Oom Don and Oom Gert. Now for something a bit more exiting. Dirk was asked to maiden a 120 size Funtana. (The Funtana belongs to Henk) The takeoff was fine, first turn good, but on the downwind leg, all of a sudden, BOTH elevator halves decided to part company with the plane!! (We suspect flutter was the problem) amazingly enough, Dirk was able to land the plane without a scratch! Now that takes some skill! Well done Dirk, and I'll bet Henk is quite happy too! :o) (Click for bigger) -- from hyper7pro - (?)

Gert has sent us an update on the projects he is currently busy with.

Here is the stab and rudder for his Supra: I think most of us saw the almost completed fuselage at the meeting on wednesday. Looks good!

-- from gnieuwoudt - (?)

His CNC cutter is completed with a new table:

-- from gnieuwoudt - (?)

And he is busy building an E-Zagi!

-- from gnieuwoudt - (?)

More detail:

-- from gnieuwoudt - (?)

Thanks for the update Gert!

If anybody else is busy with some interesting projects, please send it to me so that we can learn from each other!

Trenches close to runway

Please take note that Louis is digging trenches across the two ends of the runway to install waterpipes for the sprinkler system. Be careful on takeoff and landing so your plane doesn't disappear unexpectedly! :o) Thanks Louis, the grass and "Triangle" already looks a lot better! Louis has been working hard getting rid of the rats who insisted on digging their homes in the middle of our runways. He also lengthened the main runway and put some topsoil into the triangle. Much appreciated!

Kompetisie uitslae vir April:

1.Max 85% 2.Dirk 84% 3.Johann 70% Racois 70% 5.Alex 69% 6.Henno 43% 7.Francois 36%

Baie geluk Max!

Notule van Vergadering: 25 Julie 2007

Die notule is hier.

Minimoa, launch!

Minimoa, launch! Originally uploaded by hyper7pro

Ek en Gert was bietjie Volksrust toe Saterdag. Die weer (en die lift!) was pragtig, en ons het vet pret gehad. Daar was ouens van die BERG klub, en ek dink een of twee ander klubs ook. Hier is Evan Shaw (van BERG) wat Gert se Minimoa launch vir sy maiden. Daar is nog fotos hier.

Wel, lyk my ons het 'n blog.

Ek het dit goed gedink om vir TRMC 'n "blog" op die been te bring, siende dat elke tweede ou en sy hond deesdae een het. Hopelik sal ek later van die ander manne kan ompraat om my te help met artikels vir ons blog, want ek is nie juis baie gesout agter die keyboard nie. Onderaan sal julle altyd die nuutste TRMC fotos sien, click gerus op die waarvan jy hou om die groter weergawe te sien. Asseblief, as enigiemand enige voorstelle het, moenie huiwer om my te laat weet nie! Orraait, ek weet nou nie wat om nog te tik nie, so ek sal nou eers ophou. Lekker vlieg!