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::: Dynamic Soaring
Observations ::: ::: Building A Slope Arsenal :::
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Launching and Landing Heavy Planes When I say "Heavy" I'm referring to a plane that is far from hovering out of your hand during launch. The pilot is going to need some sort of plan to get the plane started. You have to be realistic with your knowledge of the plane and your flying skill to know whether or not it is possible to get a plane started. This is a good topic for pilots trying out heavier wing loadings as well as those transitioning from foamies. First lets look at the launch in a couple of different conditions. I'll describe my plane selection, tactics and try to justify them both. Condition 1: Inland slope, good wind chopped up with the occasional thermal. I prefer a plane with higher aspect ratio equipped with flapperons coupled to elevator and a spoileron air brake. Have a plan before you launch. I you can't get the plane started after a few passes have a minimum altitude in mind and a landing sequence that finishes into the wind. Use the elev/flapperon mix on the launch. Throw the plane HARD and smoothly DOWN into the wind. Its is very important to fly smoothly while getting the plane on step. If you can't get the plane started before your minimum altitude ... bail out to your predetermined landing plan. The biggest problem with landings is when the pilot doesn't have a plan. As with any other flying, when landing you have to pick your spots on the downwind, crosswind and final legs of the landing and hit them with your plane in the proper attitude. My crosswind is actually a pylon turn. Before the downwind I like to turn on elev/flapperon mix before diving down wind. The trick is to dive down far enough to where you can just squeak back up to the landing zone on your final. Make the first few too fast to get an idea of what you are working with in terms of speed and energy retention. On the final approach the elev/flapperon helps the plane hang in the air and also helps with checking the air speed by working the pitch of the plane. As you approach the landing zone hit the spoilerons and turn into the wind before settling into a nice level landing. If you are too hot, flip on the elev/flapperon and go around for another attempt. Condition 2: Cliff, gobs of wind I prefer a small (<50" span) two servo plane for these conditions. Larger planes don't penetrate as well and can be a real handful to launch. The small planes remain maneuverable for most of the landing and the short coupled design eliminates the tail whipping when you hit the ground. Again, the launch is down, hard and smooth. The plane will continue to fall as you turn to follow the cliff. Depending on the plane, you may have to let it fall a couple hundred feet before your first input. Your elevator response will be your sensor to feel if the plane is flying. Work ramp turns in the lift band to get the plane up to speed. The basic landing attack consists of a downwind dive with massive altitude loss, an upwind leg that is flat (no climb) until you are directly below the landing zone then a vertical line that climbs to the level of the cliff top where you level out and side slip into the landing zone. Adjust and blend these techniques to suit your slope conditions and flying styles. These are the basic techniques and by no means the only kind. Some of the most entertaining flying is done with creative landing patterns.
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All Content © Craig Toutolmin |
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