SuperHawk (Hobie Hawk) winch launch at Poway RES

[CactusJackSlade]

Here are a couple photos of Tony launching his SuperHawk (a highly modified design base on the Hobie Hawk) off the winch. Check out the wing flex under full pedal!

I flew my SuperHawk (photos of that later?!) with the spoilers and they work GREAT... I just wish my maiden flights weren't during the competition!... I didn't do very well, of course later while practicing I made what would have been a bulls eye on the landing tape... well, practice will make perfect! :D

CJS

http://www.hobiehawk.com

[Wind Shadow]

Hey CJS,
can you elaborate on how the RES version of the Superhawk does?
Appreciate any comments you have to share!! :D

Wind Shadow

[Ollie]

What beauty and grace!

[CactusJackSlade]

Ollie and Wind Shadow,

Thanks, yes they are beautiful birds... That is why I got hooked on Hobie Hawks way back when... I think I was 12 years old and saw one hanging in a hobby shop... boy did i want one of those! I had to wait until I was 40 to do something about it! :o

Here is the link to the SuperHawk main page directory, for info on the RES version go to the bottom. Although it is finished and I flew it at the Powey RES I have yet to have time to finish the RES page for the SuperHawk... but this will show you what the spoiler set-up looks like...

http://www.hobiehawk.com/SuprHwkMain.html

Here are a couple photos of the finished RES SuperHawk:

Cheers!

CJS

[schrederman]

Now... just how can you tell they're bowed when they're bowed so badly alreadY?

Just kidding - If the original had looked that good and had been that strong, I might have had to have one! Terrific!

Jack Womack

[chlee]

What an absolutely beautiful plane. The last photo of the yellow 'Hawk brings to mind a certain quote by Mr.Thornburg.

- Chung

[CactusJackSlade]

I guess I never really answered your Q about how the SuperHawk flys...

I did do a "review" here a while ago: http://www.hobiehawk.com/SuprHwkFlghtRprt.html

Now that I have it with spoilers I can add that now I have some awesome flight path control! It is not like my full house set-up with crow mixing on some of my other ships but with a little practice I should be doing some great spot landings.

I would say they can cut the landing area needed by about 70% or so? When I pop the spoilers there is no big pitch change initially, only when the spoilers get past about 50 degrees does the nose start to point down but even with the spoilers at 90 degrees the ship is stable and controlled.

I could not be more pleased! A beautiful vintage looking ship with a much needed update. The spoilers along with the 10' wings, longer fuse, larger rudder and modern airfoil make this bird a joy to fly.

I only wish that we (Tony) had a way to mass produce these things. It is vastly superior to the original Hobie Hawk (with the possible exception of not having the unbreakable poly nose pod - just don't crash!). The all up weight of the Spoiler version is 53 oz. Not too bad for a 120 inch plane.

It really floats... after the Poway RES contest (of course AFTER) the whole valley seemed to lift off. We specked out my RES SuperHawk and Tony and I took turns flying untiol we each got crooks in our necks! When it was time to come down I popped the spoilers on full and did a diving spiral.... for about 90 seconds just to get it down!

I swear it was one of those times where if you didn't have spoilers or something I think the plane would have been carried off by these monster thermals!

Anyway I can't wait to fly it again! I will for sure be at the Spring Fling in Sacramento with it this year!

Here is the "SuperHawk Flight Line" Looking toward the west at Poway. I sure like Tony's yellow one...

Cheers!

Brian