Spirit 100

[billrcpilot]

Was given a Spirit 100, need a Hi-Start for it. What would be the best Hi-Start to use for it. New to sail planes so need all the help i can get. been flying glow for a few years. thanks again for the help

Bill

[aeajr]

I would recommend you consider the following:

NE Sailplane Standard
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=875
Hosemonster 2M Competition
http://www.aerofoam.com/hosemonster.html


If you plan to add a three meter plane in a year or two then go up one size.

NESail Large
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=874
Hosemonster 3M
http://www.aerofoam.com/hosemonster.html

If you are on an extreme budget, the Dynaflite HD will launch it. But I believe the others are a better choice.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXE636&P=7

If you are not accostumed to launching with a hi-start, this article may be helpful:
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?id=52

[billrcpilot]

aeajr:

Thanks for all the information, this will be of Great Help. i live out in the country here in Oklahoma where in wind goes blowing thru the plains.HAHA. We do have day with a lot of wind 25-30 mph and just don't fly on these day. with a sailplane with a 100 inch wing span how much wind would you try flying in.

Bill :)

[aeajr]

Wind is a personal thing and a matter of what you want to accomplish that day. It can be fun to fly in the wind, as a challenge. I have flown my 2M planes in 15-20 MPH by putting in ballast to make the plane more stable and fly faster to be able to penetrate, but that would be the exception. My 3M can handle 20 MPH winds much better.

The real issue would be that in 15-30 mph winds, even if you caught a thermal, it would be moving so fast you would not be able to stay with it long before you got too far down wind and could not get back.

Typically 15 mph and I am thinking whether I want to fly or not. For me 20 would be about my limit for the reasons stated above and that would be pushing it. We are situated in a populated area, so if you did got 1/4 mile down wind and could not get back you might be in someone's yard or on top of a building or part of someone's car.

I will tell you that in 15 MPH winds you get monster high launches. You can add line to your hi-start and get really high launches as the plane just goes up like a kite on a string.

The plane might be able to handle 20 + MPH but, why bother. Up to you.

I have been trying to learn slope soaring as an alternative. Whereas 20 MPH might be bad thermaling conditions, if you have a hill facing into the wind, it could be great slope soaring conditions. Unfortunately I live on Long Island and there are not many open hills facing the right way. I am hunting for workable spots.