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- Path: sparky!uunet!caen!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!dfk
- From: dfk@col.hp.com (David F. Kurth)
- Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
- Subject: Re: First plane (sailplane) advice?
- Date: 8 Jan 1993 21:00:48 GMT
- Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
- Lines: 41
- Distribution: world
- Message-ID: <1ikq20INN433@hp-col.col.hp.com>
- References: <73184@cup.portal.com>
- NNTP-Posting-Host: hplsdaw.col.hp.com
-
- sbixby@cup.portal.com (Steven W Bixby) writes:
- > >Ok, I've read the FAQ and decided to build a Standard class sailplane
- > >as my first R/C craft.
- >
- > >Airtronics Olympic II
- >
- > EXCELLENT!
- This was my first plane, and I agree it is an excellent choice.
- The plane flys well and slow, which is want you want as a beginner.
- As your skill increases and you want to fly on windy days, you can
- add lots of ballast, or get a higher performance plane.
-
- > >SIG Riser 100
- >
- > No experience with it, but Sig kits are usually pretty good, and the
- > instructions are excellent; I doubt you'd go wrong with this kit.
- I believe the SIG Riser 100 uses an E205 (or other non flat-bottom)
- airfoil. This airfoil and plane will fly a lot faster than the Oly,
- and this is usually leads a beginner into trouble quicker than
- he can react to correct. You want to control the plane, and not
- have the plane control you.
-
- From this note, I gather you are not afraid to ask for help.
- Make sure you find a local club or somebody to help you. You
- should be able to find someone that will really want to make you
- successful. Sailplanes are a lot more fun if you have someone
- to answer your building questions, and correct common mistakes
- before they lead to disasterous results. (I did a radio check on
- someone's new plane which failed. He still had the receiver
- antenna all coiled up neatly with a rubber band, just the
- way it came out of the box.) There are lots of tips and
- techniques that make building easier, and you won't find them
- in any of the instruction manuals. A plane that is balanced
- and true is easy and a thrill to fly. One that is all out of
- "whack" will simply be a pain to fly. Get some help, get
- some advice, and then go have some fun.
-
- Good luck.
-
- Dave Kurth
- dfk@col.hp.com
-