Many years ago I built a 4m ASW 28 all moulded glider specifically for aerotowing but never had the courage to launch it. So over the past few months a mate and I have been practicing aerotowing smaller gliders to lead up to the first flight of this monster. This occurred on Monday at Great Hucklow where the local model club held an aerotow event. It was towed up by a Titan with a 100cc twin engine, no problem for it at all, we got to about 500ft and released OK. The flight was quite eventful as the glider trim was very nose down so it took some time to settle it down and then try to find some lift but found none so a long approach to a reasonable landing. My legs were still shaking 10 min later. The glider was quite nose heavy so I removed all the lead I could and had two more flights. It was still nose heavy but much better. I will change the batteries for 2x 2 cell 2500mAh LIFE rather than the 2x 5cell 2000mAh NiCads to save 300g and move the CofG back some more.
No video but here are some pics to prove it really happened. A lot more stick time is required to get comfortable with it then I might FPV it.
Mick
(http://s24.postimg.org/q4ld4kept/P1190579_1280x960.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/q4ld4kept/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/e1g1h03nl/P1190580_1280x960.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/e1g1h03nl/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/im27vxncx/P1190584_1280x960.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/im27vxncx/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/5e2u2zptt/P1190585_1280x960.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5e2u2zptt/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/tj3jkpa4h/P1190603_1280x960.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/tj3jkpa4h/)
(http://s24.postimg.org/b4t0gpxtt/P1190604_1280x960.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/b4t0gpxtt/)
I know that feeling very well!!
My first launch with a 4 scale was off a slope, wind wasn't as strong as I liked but there was loads of thermals being triggered though!
My friend launched it with my legs going weak and it just nosed down about 2 meters from the face, took ages for it too pull up as my highest elevator rates were too low, stalled it at the top, heard a big clunk (did not know at the time but it was the battery mount braking off and the whole pack moved backwards) and then it trimmed perfectly!
Landed really really really long lol
I found with mine they really like to fly a tiny amount tail heavy! Too much and it would pitch in on a thermal climb!
Great to see you towing I bet your looking forward to the next time!!
Love this sort of thing Well done on the first of many i hope :D
dizzy :)
... Yes, I agree, nice idea that towing stuff. I've never done it just relied on motors/folding props. I've always thought it one of the bravest forms of r.c. flying.. I mean you miss your approach there's no second circuit..or chance to add the power if you're looking short... 'Hats of to you Mr. Electricmick' ... vid on the way then...
;) G.J.
I`d be very nervous too to be honest, good to see you took the plunge and all worked out OK
Model looks great as well :)
QuoteNo video but here are some pics to prove it really happened
No Video - didn't happen Mick..... theres not even a pic of you flying a plane :+
We had had a few more successful tows and flights so decided to try to video it from the ground with a GoPro and from the cockpit with a Mobius. Must have been the pressure to get it right or just dumb bad luck as it ground looped for the first time ever and I was not quick enough on the release to avoid most of the damage as the glider hit the tarmac runway. Another lesson learned as there would have been little or no damage had it been solely on grass. Thankfully no structural damage. Just been down to the local marina to buy some gelcoat repair.
http://youtu.be/p-XqjfHeiNE (http://youtu.be/p-XqjfHeiNE)
Soon be back on the bike.
Mick
I started FPV flying with some second hand gear strapped to an Easy Glider, and being towed behind my Mentor tug.
Having done plenty of LOS model towing, and a fair bit of full size towing from the glider's end, it is much easier to keep the glider in position, particularly if the tow pilot over banks the tug.
Oh dam that looked like it could have gone real bad, but just a bit of gelcoat repair ? Best result you could have hoped for really
ouch! Yep - definitely could have been much worse lol
.. Ai ai ai ai ai ai ai ai, Chihuahua! Bad one mate........ but.. a great video. Thanks for sharing... better luck next time Monsieur Electronique
G.J.