The Hi-Start Launch.
There is a hook on the bottom of the sailplane. Four hundred feet of surgical tubing and nylon cord are stretched and then used to pull the plane up. The line drops off and then it is up to the pilot to find rising air and skillfully use this to gain even more altitude. Typical flights are from three to 15 minutes.
Schweizer TG-3
|
Manufacturer |
Dave's Aircraft Works |
|
Wingspan (in) |
71 |
|
Length (in) |
41 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
609 |
|
Weight (oz) |
38 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
9.0 |
|
Airfoil |
Thinned Clark-Y |
This is my first radio controlled sailplane. I
gave it to my brother, Gus, after a couple of years of hard use.
Multiplex Alpha Junior
|
Manufacturer |
Multiplex |
|
Wingspan (in) |
84 |
|
Length (in) |
41 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
632 |
|
Weight (oz) |
41 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
9.5 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 8040 mod. |
My beautiful second sailplane, from Germany. 2006: I
folded the wing on launch off the winch in high wind. I have
a new one in the box, though . . .
MH42
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
102 |
|
Length (in) |
51 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1024 |
|
Weight (oz) |
47 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.6 |
|
Airfoil |
MH 42 |
This is the first rc sailplane that I designed and built
from scratch. The strip ailerons didn't work at all on this
polyhedral ship and I took them off.
Olympic II
|
Manufacturer |
Skybench Aerotech |
|
Wingspan (in) |
100 |
|
Length (in) |
49 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
928 |
|
Weight (oz) |
38 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
5.8 |
|
Airfoil |
10% thick flat bottom |
This sailplane was given to me by Richard Shagam. I am the
fourth or fifth owner of this graceful old classic!! I
recently passed it on to Zak, a new ASA club member.
SD7080
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
100 |
|
Length (in) |
50 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
707 |
|
Weight (oz) |
49 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
10.0 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 7080 |
This was my first four servo wing (flaps and ailerons).
Mike Carris gave me the wing. After about a hundred flights, I
folded up the wing on launch. [R.I.P.]
Optima Pro
|
Manufacturer |
World Micro Planes |
|
Wingspan (in) |
97.5 |
|
Length (in) |
50 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
800 |
|
Weight (oz) |
59.8 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
10.8 |
|
Airfoil |
Under cambered |
This Czech sailplane is heavy, but flies great in high
wind.
Bird of Time
|
Manufacturer |
Dynaflite |
|
Wingspan (in) |
118 |
|
Length (in) |
50 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1070 |
|
Weight (oz) |
59 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
7.9 |
|
Airfoil |
9.5% flat bottom |
One of the best radio controlled sailplanes form the
1970's. Original design by Dave Thornburg who still flies
locally.
Spoiled Lady
|
Manufacturer |
Carl Goldberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
78 |
|
Length (in) |
41 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
630 |
|
Weight (oz) |
26 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
5.9 |
|
Airfoil |
RG 14 |
This is the first model sailplane for many pilots. I added
the spoilers after I had flown it a lot. The spoilers help
you land more precisely. It also flies with an electric
fuselage.
Riser 100
|
Manufacturer |
Sig |
|
Wingspan (in) |
100 |
|
Length (in) |
48 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1000 |
|
Weight (oz) |
45 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.5 |
|
Airfoil |
Eppler 205 |
Rudder, elevator, and spoilers. An old standard class
sailplane that is still a joy to fly. I finally gave this away to
Carlos Reyes after he got some important files off of a crashed
hard drive.
Roter Kasten
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
102 |
|
Length (in) |
51 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1024 |
|
Weight (oz) |
46 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.4 |
|
Airfoil |
MH 42 |
"Roter Kasten" means "Red Crate". One
of my favorites. 2006: Traded it away to Dennis Clingan for
a stepladder.
Red 'n White
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
104 |
|
Length (in) |
50 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1091 |
|
Weight (oz) |
59 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
7.8 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 7037 |
This wing is fiberglass over balsa over white foam. Richard
Dick built it. Flies great off the winch or on the slope.
Aspire
|
Manufacturer |
Hangar 9 |
|
Wingspan (in) |
79 |
|
Length (in) |
45 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
680 |
|
Weight (oz) |
29 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.1 |
|
Airfoil |
Selig 7037 |
Rudder (pull-pull) and elevator. Still flying after
almost five years.
The Edge
|
Manufacturer |
Northeast Sailplanes |
|
Wingspan (in) |
123 |
|
Length (in) |
51 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
980 |
|
Weight (oz) |
65 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
9.6 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
My first "full house" molded sailplane.
Yellow HLG
|
|
|
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
57 |
|
Length (in) |
30 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
330 |
|
Weight (oz) |
10.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
4.6 |
|
Airfoil |
Flat Bottom |
I bought the wing at a sidewalk sale. Broke the
fuselage flying it off the Albuquerque volcanoes. Still
planning to rebuild it.
Typhoon-S
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
106 |
|
Length (in) |
50.3 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
764.3 |
|
Weight (oz) |
52 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
9.8 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
Mike Carris built this wonderful wing for his own Typhoon
electric sailplane.. He gave it to me after "landing"
on the roof of the gym next to the Corrales post office. It's
now not nearly as pretty as it was, but it flies very well. The
"-S" on the name signifies 'sailplane',
'salvaged', or what he uttered when it crashed. [R.I.P.: I
launched it with the radio off at the CASL contest 2005.]
Chrysalis
|
Manufacturer |
DJ Aerotech |
|
Wingspan (in) |
78.5 |
|
Length (in) |
50.5 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
723 |
|
Weight (oz) |
30 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.0 |
|
Airfoil |
Proprietary |
This two meter sailplane has an elliptical wing planform.
Flies very well in light lift, yet penetrates like an open
class molded ship.
Cookie-75
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
75 |
|
Length (in) |
|
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
450 |
|
Weight (oz) |
16.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
5.28 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
I designed this especially for the ASA "Hiss 'n Boink"
contest. It is very light and launches well off a small
hi-start. The v-tail is contest grade balsa glassed with 3/4
oz. cloth. It also flies with an electric fuselage: speed
400, 7xGP1100. It is currently my best two meter class RES
glider.
Cookie-112
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
112 |
|
Length (in) |
50.4 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
950 |
|
Weight (oz) |
42 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.4 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
This is a 1.44 scale version of the Cookie 75. It has
carbon fiber spar caps and can withstand a full pedal winch
launch. Currently my best open-class RES glider.
Addiction
|
Manufacturer |
Fred Sage |
|
Wingspan (in) |
122 |
|
Length (in) |
51 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
980 |
|
Weight (oz) |
70 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
10.3 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 7037 |
Buzz Averill crashed this model and he sold me the wing
(undamaged) for just a tad more than the price of the servos.
This is an amazing sailplane! I have also built an
electric fuselage: Hacker 40, 7xGP3700 cells, Hacker-Jeti 125
controller.
Alcyone
|
Builder |
Bob Woods |
|
Wingspan (in) |
121 |
|
Length (in) |
54 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
948 |
|
Weight (oz) |
70.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
10.7 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 7032 to 37 |
Stan Johnson got this from Bob Woods, the original builder,
and he passed it on to me. The kit came from around 1992 or
so. A fun, forgiving, stable flier.
Spirit Elite
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
78.5 |
|
Length (in) |
46 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
645 |
|
Weight (oz) |
35 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
7.3 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7035-36 |
R.I.P., Summer 2006. Launched with the wrong model on the transmitter. Have a replacement in the box, but haven't built it yet.
Playboy
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
68 |
|
Length (in) |
43 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
568 |
|
Weight (oz) |
16.75 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
4.25 |
|
Airfoil |
proprietary |
This was an old free flight model wing that Chuck Auerbach threw out when he moved. This is a great light-weight glider!
Omega 1.5
|
Mfg |
Frankenmodellbau |
|
Wingspan (in) |
59 |
|
Length (in) |
34 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
333 |
|
Weight (oz) |
14.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.27 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 7035 mod |
Doesn't thermal very well, but one of my favorite small slope gliders. Bought it on consignment at Hobbies 'n Stuff for servo price.
Easy Glider
|
Mfg. |
Multiplex |
|
Wingspan (in) |
70 |
|
Length (in) |
44.5 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
648 |
|
Weight (oz) |
27.75 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.2 |
|
Airfoil |
under cambered |
This is a wonderful first model for new pilots, either off the slope or from a high-start. An adjustable tow hook is a necessary modification.
Cookie 85
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
85 |
|
Length (in) |
40 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
526 |
|
Weight (oz) |
26.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
7.43 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
This is an electric glider for the new ASA 'Outrunner' class. Hacker A20-20L, 13x8 folding prop, 7x1400 mAh, Intellect NiMH battery pack.
Helen-J
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
72 |
|
Length (in) |
46 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
632 |
|
Weight (oz) |
22 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
5.0 |
|
Airfoil |
Flat bottom |
Helen Johnson of Hobbies 'n Stuff gave me this broken up wing that was dropped off at the store. I rebuilt and recovered it and made a new tail and pod-and-boom fuse. I think it was originally an Olympic 650. Flies great!
Cookie 142
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
142.5 |
|
Length (in) |
70 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1650 |
|
Weight (oz) |
78 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
6.8 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
This wonderful, huge glider exploded on winch launch after about 120 flights. A second version is in the works.
Southwind
|
Designerer |
Max Mills |
|
Wingspan (in) |
99 |
|
Length (in) |
51 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
780 |
|
Weight (oz) |
46.25 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
8.54 |
|
Airfoil |
Eppler 103 |
This is a wonderful old standard class "woodie", a low wing-loading glider from the early 1990s. In is unusual in that it has flaps for landing and camber, but no ailerons. The model was designed and kitted by Max Mills and his wife Gloria (who have recently returned to Albuquerque!) This plane launches high, signals lift well, and can turn very tightly in narrow thermals. It is a joy to fly!
Bard
|
Manufacturer |
The World Models |
|
Wingspan (in) |
80 |
|
Length (in) |
36.5 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
409 |
|
Weight (oz) |
37 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
13.0 |
|
Airfoil |
Proprietary |
This is a small, somewhat heavy, semi-scale glider intended for slope soaring. At this point, it has only been flown off of a high start. The wing is foam, skinned with balsa, covered with Monokote.
ASW-19
|
Manufacturer |
Robbe |
|
Wingspan (in) |
123.3 |
|
Length (in) |
53.2 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
822 |
|
Weight (oz) |
91 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
15.9 |
|
Airfoil |
Eppler 193 |
This is my first large scale glider. It has been flown off the winch, but it is really intended for slope or aerotow. The wing is foam, skinned with balsa, covered with Ultracote.
Laser
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
124 |
|
Length (in) |
63 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
1000 |
|
Weight (oz) |
59 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
8.5 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7035 |
This wing was given to me by Fred McClung after a long post-crash incubation in the rafters of his shop. I had to repair several delaminations, and other dings. The replacement fuze is a Hi-Aspect pod and boom from Art Hobby. I have made an electric fuselage for this as well
“A1” Hand Launch Glider
|
Builder |
Unknown |
|
Wingspan (in) |
59 |
|
Length (in) |
38.5 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
410.5 |
|
Weight (oz) |
9.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
3.33 |
|
Airfoil |
undercambered |
This is a 1.5m free-flight hand launch glider, probably a German kit from the 1970s. It is balsa and Micafilm construction. The motor is a Hyperion Z17 Micro Series outrunner with 6 turns [model number Z-1709-6, 24 grams, 9.5 max efficient current A, KV=2100.] The battery is Flight Power Evo Lite 2S Lipo [45 grams, 800 mAh, 28C, 22.4 A max burst.] The controller is a Castle Phoenix 10 Amp version. It draws 9.8 Amps with a 7x4 APC gray composite propeller [LP 07040SF] I believe this may currently be the electric glider with the lowest wing loading in our club. It flies best with the CG at 50% of the root chord, probably due to its large tail surface area and its older free-flight airfoil. Charlie Zaffery found this up in his attic and graciously passed it on to me; the original builder is lost to history.
Gogi
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
37.25 |
|
Length (in) |
27.75 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
235.75 |
|
Weight (oz) |
9.25 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
5.65 |
|
Airfoil |
flat-bottomed |
This was hanging in the hobby shop and for sale cheap! It had two servos and a cheapo GWS 4 channel radio in it. I fixed it up and redid the linkages. I use it in very light conditions off the slope.
Dodo 85e
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
59 |
|
Length (in) |
38 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
362 |
|
Weight (oz) |
18.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
7.4 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
This model was made from discarded parts. The fuselage was from Buzz Averill and the wing was from Mike Carris. An electric glider, it has a Czech Mega 16/15/6 brushless inrunner, a Thunder Power 18 A controller, and 1500 MAh LiPo 2S pack. It is, of course, named after the extinct flightless bird.
Multiplex Alpha Junior Electric Version
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
84 |
|
Length (in) |
40 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
632 |
|
Weight (oz) |
53.5 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
12.2 |
|
Airfoil |
SD 8040 mod |
This is the alpha junior with an electric fuselage and t-tail. The motor is a Mega 22/20 with 3 turns, the controller is Castle Phoenix 60, and the battery is FlightPower 3200 mAh 2S. I am running it at 58 Amps (430 Watts.) This sailplane is perfect for those days when it it "too windy to fly."
Cookie 67 Electric
|
Builder |
Dan Tandberg |
|
Wingspan (in) |
67 |
|
Length (in) |
38.5 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
455 |
|
Weight (oz) |
10.75 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
3.4 |
|
Airfoil |
SA 7036 |
This is an ultra light-weight version of the Cookie series. It is balsa, spruce, carbon and Ultracote Lite construction. Like the “A1” Hand Launch Glider above, the motor is a Hyperion Z17 Micro Series outrunner with 6 turns [model number Z-1709-6, 24 grams, 9.5 max efficient current A, KV=2100.] The battery is Flight Power Evo Lite 2S Lipo [45 grams, 800 mAh, 28C, 22.4 A max burst.] The controller is a Castle Phoenix 10 Amp version. It draws 8.9 Amps with a 7x3.5 GWS gray propeller. This is a wonderful electric glider in light lift conditions. It launches well and will thermal on the smallest puff of upgoing air.
Modified Southwind Electric
|
Manufacturer |
Max Mills |
|
Wingspan (in) |
100 |
|
Length (in) |
51 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
853 |
|
Weight (oz) |
55 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
9.3 |
|
Airfoil |
Eppler 103 |
This is an electric verson of Max Mills' SouthWind from the 1990s. He built this wing while living in Texas, gave it away, and had it returned after crashing. The spar was undamaged, and it was fairly easy to repair. It is balsa, spruce, carbon and Ultracote Lite construction and has had spoilers installed. The motor is a Mega 20/22/3 inrunner. The MP Jet gearbox is 3.33:1 The controller is a Castle Phoenix 60 Amp version. The fuselage is from Andre at Art Hobby.
Redback EPP Slope Pylon Racer
|
Manufacturer |
DezzaMet Pty Ltd (Australia) |
|
Wingspan (in) |
59.6 |
|
Length (in) |
35.4 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
340 |
|
Weight (oz) |
35.4 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
11.65 |
|
Airfoil |
HN354 mod |
This is an EPP foam slope racer kitted in Australia. V-tail and ailerons. Flies great in big wind, thanks to the high wing loading.
Playboy Electric
|
Designer |
Joe Elgin |
|
Wingspan (in) |
68 |
|
Length (in) |
37 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
568 |
|
Weight (oz) |
31 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
9.1 |
|
Airfoil |
proprietary |
This is an electric version of the antique (1940) Playboy. Built (with lots of help) from old plans borrowed from Richard Dick. The motor is a Neodyn 450-880 outrunner powered with a Thunder Power Extreme V2 3S 2200 maH LiPo battery. You'll need at least an 18 A brushless controller. A delight to fly!
Tern 74
|
Builder |
Max Mills |
|
Wingspan (in) |
74 |
|
Length (in) |
45.5 |
|
Wing Area (sq in) |
447 |
|
Weight (oz) |
26 1/4 |
|
Wing Loading (oz/ sq ft) |
8.5 |
|
Airfoil |
RG-15 |
This wing was a gift from Max Mills, who built it decades ago from a forgotten kit. The fuselage is an Andromeda pod and boom from Art-Hobby. Power is with a Czech Mega Motor ACn16/15/6, a Thunder Power TPE-18SGB3 ESC, an Aeronaut 11 x 7 folding prop, and a Thunder Power Extreme V2 2200 LiPo battery. The Tern 74 flies wonderfully. It launches well, recovers from a stall gracefully, and turns tightly is very small thermals.
An Observation
Don't ever let your spouse see more than two or three of your sailplanes out at one time. They may think you are developing a serious problem!
