Houston Hawks Woody Roundup!!!!

[schrederman]

OK... I've been asked to host the Woody Roundup again. I can truly not come up with a reason not to... so, it's on! We have had it over Labor Day Weekend in the past, but I have a conflict this year. That being said, what's your pleasure... the weekend before, or the weekend after? Let's take a vote at the field on Saturday. If you can't be there... send me a private email and I'll count your vote. That's important for anyone that wants to come from out of town... let me know your preference of weekends. I need to get the sanction going so if I don't hear from you by Saturday, sin loi... (Vietnamese for, "Sorry about that.") We will fly 2 days. The task will be 1 round of 10 minute duration; 1 round of 11 minute duration; 1 round of 12 minute duration; 1 round of 13 minute duration. All will have a landing option that will be a tie breaker ONLY. In other words, if more than one pilot has a perfect flight, only the one with the closest landing will receive landing points, up to 10. Only 1 pilot per round will be awarded landing points, and only if you have a perfect flight score. Ties other that perfect will stand as ties. If niether pilot scores a landing, the tie for the round will remain. In the VERY unlikely event of an overall tie, there will be a 7-minute flyoff with landing. Skegs/sharks teeth, etc. will be allowed. Wheels will not be allowed. Winch length will be wheeled and all winches will be 600'. If times are being made consistently, lines may be shortened for subsequent rounds. If you wish to bring a hi-start, the max stretched length of the hi-start will be the same as the winch length.

Definition of a "Woody": A model sailplane of wood construction, with open rib bays after the spar, with any material for spars and fuselage. No molded, foam, or composite parts may be used for the wing or empennage, except the spar and/or carbon capped ribs. For our purpose, the molded fin on a fiberglass fuselage is considered part of the fuselage. Any control configuration is allowed. This is NOT an R-E-S contest.

AVA lovers and Topaz whizkids, etc... don't fret we'll have a separate class for you, too... so bring 'em! We'll probably call it the LOW class :p , but, you never know, we may came up with a better name... :D ... You didn't think I'd leave you out, now did you?

The CD - ME - will have final say as to aircraft class.

I am committed to the contest, and I have set the task. I probably won't change it. The scoring will be a penny a point... oops... a point per second... yeah, that's it!

We'll have it whether we sanction it or not. Entry fee is $5- per day. The club will keep half for it's trouble, and the other half will be split among the
top 3 flyers on a sliding scale, of course.

Y'all come back, now... hear?

Jack Womack

[schrederman]

My schedule is coming together and I now have a conflict on the weekend before Labor Day. With that, the date is now set for september 10 and 11. We'll have a pilot's meeting at 9:00 and begin flying at 9:30 each day. Please join us. It will be fun.

Jack Womack

[kwmtrubrit]

Hey Jack,

I have a question as I've never entered any sailplane competitions. I understand that this isn't a RES contest, but could a RES plane with the spoilers taped closed or servos not connected be entered? Or am I completely off base with my thinking.

Keith

[ejett]

Kwmtrubrit:

You can fly RES planes in this contest with the spoilers active. You can fly any wood sailplane in this contest including full house ships such as the Airtronics Legend or a Cloud Bound 4 or a Challenger. It's all good. Just must be a woody as Jack describes above. Notice the phrase "any control configuration is allowed.

EJ

[schrederman]

Thanks, Ed... you comin'?

Jack

[kwmtrubrit]

Sorry, I was confused by the comment " this is NOT a R-E-S contest"

[solo6796]

Not JUST a RES contest... Too bad I would have to fly the Yardbird in the "other" class cuz it has composite tails.

I'll hold off doing to 60,000 mile check-up/update on the Houston Hawk till after this contest.

AJ

[histarter]

Interesting Jack,

This is what I did 15 years ago when I formed the Hot Air Masters (HAM). :)

I do believe you just disqualified all the Woodys we fly at Pilot Point? :eek:

We use wide upper sheeting 4 to 6 inch wide to more accurately define upper curve (and to minimize sag between ribs), while stiffening the wing for hard zoom launching (plate wing structure - some of which includes upper surface reverse glass molding). All our GLs, Pargaons, Oly IIIs, and Shuttles are built like this. :D

I know there was no intent! Basically, there is a lot of Woody design development that has been missed out on because of the hi-tech invasion. :eek:

Lots of luck regardless.
Al

[schrederman]

Al,

I sheet beyond the spar some, too. That doesn't disqualify it as a woody. Unfortunately, the composite with the sheeting does... I didn't invent those rules, but I respect and design and build to them. I remember the first Panteras were foam d-tube with ribs after. Don Chancey was an innovator, too. Unfortunately, the line has to be drawn, somewhere, and Don's Pantera would have to fly in the OTW Class. If you read the entire thing, you'll notice we've provided a place for you to compete. I was, in my West Texas way, wrongly (they tell me) calling it the "Low Class". I've been informed by those that are in the know about such things that this name is not politically correct, so we've decided to call it the "Other Than Woody Class". Come fly with us. We have a lot of fun, and we've not wanted to leave anyone out...

See ya at the contest.

Jack Womack

[solo6796]

My Yardbird can fly OTW... YAY!

Can we fly BOTH classes?

AJ

[Tim Wolff]

Interesting Jack,

We use wide upper sheeting 4 to 6 inch wide to more accurately define upper curve (and to minimize sag between ribs), while stiffening the wing for hard zoom launching (plate wing structure - some of which includes upper surface reverse glass molding). All our GLs, Pargaons, Oly IIIs, and Shuttles are built like this. :D
invasion. :eek:

Lots of luck regardless.
Al

Sorry you lost me there...I think. Are you D-tubing the wing forward of the spar and glassing it? That's what I'm getting from your description. While it will surely help with twisting (fluttering) strength, how/does it improve the bending ridigity? Most woody wings fail under compression of the top spar. Or at least that's been my experience with 20+ years of flying the Oly-II. Just trying to determine if I've missed something...TIA

[histarter]

Sorry you lost me there...I think. Are you D-tubing the wing forward of the spar and glassing it? That's what I'm getting from your description. While it will surely help with twisting (fluttering) strength, how/does it improve the bending ridigity? Most woody wings fail under compression of the top spar. Or at least that's been my experience with 20+ years of flying the Oly-II. Just trying to determine if I've missed something...TIA

Wrong!
The plate wing was made by using wider upper sheeting. On the Oly III, 4 ounce cloth was layed on the upper surface 5" wide sheeting and epoxy (squeeged) for 3/4s of mainpanel span. After 30 minutes of setup the upper sheeting (with glass inward) was glued into place - so it finally cured in a arch. The modified D tube is constructed by baffles coming up from the bottom of the spar and intersecting the upper surface sheeting about 1/2 inch behind the LE. This assembly is used for the full length of the main panels. The tips only have the wider sheeting - without glass or baffles for lightness. :rolleyes:

[Note: My high AR wings had a tube spar in front and behind main spar - overkilled torsion resistance] :o

Because of the tube spar (my modified D tube) torsion rigidity is tremendously improved, whereas load flex (although improved) is still viable since the bottom D section has the grain running chordwise. Upper spar compression however is now 'sunk' with the wide sheeting that I now call a plate wing structure. Have yet to have a compression failure! :p

The Shuttles have no glass due to low AR. Upper spar cap is oak 3/8 X 0.1" and bottom spar is 3/8 X 1/8 laminated balsa - with polypropelene tape laminate for tension. :)

The stucture is quite lite and strong, and it allowed me to thin my profiles below 9% comfortably. To date when launching in winds to 25 mph plus, only my Oly III suffers occasionally/rarely with a bent carry through. Although my GL wings are over 20 years old, and have been launched by club winch, I keep them on histarts [Pinicle HD typ - and now 2mtr version.]. A little machine attempting to haul up retriever, 700 feet of 200 lb test line etc. is simply futility to me - like driving in reverse to get somewhere [i.e. yes, it can be done]. :eek:

So all this kind of evolution to date is not enjoyed, I see massive spars employed instead - making modern woodys rather dense by comparison. I just believe this is the wrong way to go - and is what is making the hi tech approach so appealing!! :)

Now you have the total argument.

[jh2rc97]

Jack,
I am interested in getting a Houston Hawk to build. Where could I get a fuselage and plans?

Alan

[schrederman]

Alan,

Don Cleveland sold out to a couple of guys in Florida. I am not sure where they are with being ready for kit production.

Jack

[jh2rc97]

Jack,
Do you have their contact information or a website?

Alan

[solo6796]

From the Houston Hawk Thread.....


"Just thought I would let everyone know that I will be closing Janco Models and transferring the Avenger DLG and the Houston Hawk product line to Matt Fair and Scott Krogmann (they are based in Orlando). They will be producing several planes, including the very successful 2M Apex, the Avenger DLG, the Houston Hawk, and the MS-3X, “a composite unlimited using a blend of proprietary airfoils” that is similar to the Compulsion. I have seen their work and they do a great job and they will definitely fill a need in the RC Sailplane market place. They can be contacted at MandSmodels@cfl.rr.com. I have enjoyed my association with all of my customers and hope I have been able to "bring a smile" to many faces. As always, If I can answer any questions or be of any service to you, please contact me.

Don Cleveland"


mailto:MandSmodels@cfl.rr.com

AJ

[solo6796]

I wrote them to inquire for you. (and me...)

AJ

[solo6796]

No reply to date....

AJ

[solo6796]

We are still planning to hold the Woody Roundup this weekend Sept 10 and 11. It's possible that with the Katrina aftermath, the hotel and gas situation may be tight. I would like to get a handle on how many participants we may have.

Please respond if you are planning to fly Saturday, Sunday, or both.....

Thanks,

AJ


www.houstonhawks.org

[Vince inTX.]

I plan on flying both days.

Vince

[solo6796]

It appears that we will have enough pilots for the Woody Roundup Club Contest to run both days, so we will plan for that. If the Saturday group feels that we can fly out the entire contest in one day and want to go home Saturday night, we can make the decision at the field and do it that way. There have been concerns about gas prices and hotel availability due to Hurricane Katrina.

There will be two classes... All wood wing and tail (composite spar material is OK, CF or fiberglass in the D-tube and all composite tails not OK), and Unlimited-- anything goes including Topaz, AVA, or all composite models (bring the Sharon, etc.). First, Second, and Third Place trophys will be awarded in each class. Man on Man, with at least three winches.

Port o potty at the field, bring water, chairs, and shade. We will set up at 8:00 AM, Pilots meeting at 9:00 AM, and begin flying as soon as possible. We appreciate all help from the membership, so even if you don't plan to fly, come on out and enjoy the company and lend a hand. Special thanks to Walter, Tommy, John, Dave, and Roland in advance. Jack can't be with us, so I'll CD. Maps to the field are on our webpage.

The Hawks are a great group.. come fly with us!

Thanks...

Alan Jones
President,
Houston Hawks RC Soaring Club

www.houstonhawks.org

[solo6796]

Results posted... http://www.houstonhawks.org/Template.htm

AJ

[ejett]

Nice pictures. Good to see Roland out. Sure hate I had to miss this thing, but I am on my last weekend to Meridian. Sold the house yesterday. Packing this week end and tomorrow and moving Tuesday.

EJ