Thermaling an Upstar

[HoverDown3K]

OK, new to gliders and reading the thermaling threads

I am waiting for my Hobbico Upstar to arrive, I have not seen any reviews of this models, but I wanted to know if this has a chance of thermaling.

http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/hcaa2210.html

Wing loading is about 14 oz, on a 68 inch wing, do you think this will be harder to thermal, or doesn't it matter what the wing loading is?

thanks!

[HoverDown3K]

some views, but no answer?

Does wing loading have any effect on Thermaling ability?

[Masterpiece]

Hi,

At 14oz/ft wing loading it should thermal IF the conditions are right. I used to have a 19oz/ft w/loading pylon model that strangely thermalled for a while once, when I got it high enough. Out of the thermal it was a brick without the motor on ;).

I had a look at the website attached. Nice plane BUT do one thing please .... ditch the 540 motor when you get it, and treat it to a nice "brushless" motor :) . 540 motors are so last century. Weak and ....... "brushed". Manufacturers still put them into kits as they help keep the cost down for them ;) . I'm not sure what your back ground is BUT if you are used to gas planes, then you'll be fine with a brushless motor AND you be a lot happier with its climb ability.

Happy flying
Glen

[LVsoaring]

Yes, wing loading has some effect, generally the lighter the wing loading, the easier it will go up in light lift. 14 oz/sf seems a bit high, but I see this is a motorized glider, so you have the extra weight of the motor, batt, etc. If it were a pure glider, the wing loading would be less. Heavier wing loadings are good for serious thermal hunting as they allow for better penetration, i.e. you can cover more ground much faster. I am not familiar with your Upstar, but looking at the design, it should be pretty easy to fly, and it will give you some idea of how thermal ships behave. I'm guessing it won't be long before you're ready for something bigger with better performance (not necessarily a $2000 full house carbon/kevlar job, just a step up from the Upstar) but I think you've probably got a good starter ship to get your feet wet. Good luck and welcome to thermal soaring!

Rick

[HoverDown3K]

Thanks guys, The reason I was looking at the Upstar Gllider, had a couple of things I thought would help a first time glider pilot, like ESC / Motor and Battery

I know brushed is not the way to go and most likly once the brushed burn out I will replace with a BL / Lipo setup.

But for my first glider I just hope to take it up to about 400 feet and turn the motor off and glider around, when I get to about 100 Feet, power back up to 400 feet.


As for my Experience , I am a Helicopter pilot and also fixed wing. Have been for years, but got the Glider bug about converting this

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXX405&P=7

I installed a 600 motor and 6 Cell 3300mah battery and had a blast, I figure the Upstar has to be better then the U2 I converted.

thanks for all you help! Going back to reading the thermaling threads now!!

[BMatthews]

My 2 meter electric that I've flown for over a decade now sits at 52 oz compared to the Upstar at a bit under 46 so it SHOULD soar. But a lot also depends on the trimming of the model and how well the airfoil works with the higher wing loading.

[tw126a]

When the thermals are strong, such a high wing loading might not hurt but when you're fighting a really weak one down low, then a low wing loading is your friend. There's a reason why planes such as the Gentle Lady (<7 oz/sq.ft.) enjoy such a great reputation.
Tom