Aeroflyte Brolga 2 [Archive]

Curare

Jun 12, 2006, 09:02 PM

Yeah I did a few modifications to make sure the old girl wasn't going to blow up on a bungee.

I did use the extra sheeting, and I made sure that I had nice radiused corners, no sharp corners, as they're potential break points, I added some extra scrap trailing edge stock to the rudder to give me a little bit of authority, and apart from that, just flew her pretty much stock.

I've had a fair few 2m ships in my time, GL's, SL's, Tintara's, Super Turkeys (I've got super turkeys on the brain) and a bunch of OD's, and the brolga is a nice flyer. It's a strong little ship, but you've gotta keep it light, Aeroflyte always overdesigned their models.

aerohydro

Jun 13, 2006, 02:44 AM

The brolga is my first sailplane, I built it a couple of years ago and have only recently found an excellent flying site. The first one I built is completely standard with the extra sheeting. It seems to fly pretty well considering the hopeless job I did building it. The one I'm working on now is going to be much lighter. I've just about halved the amount of balsa in the fuselage, left off the extra sheeting and lightened the ribs. I want this to be a real floater. I'll use the wing from my first one for heavy launches, but I mostly hand launch anyway.

From the photos I've looked at the Brolga seems to be a pretty similar design to the Gentle Lady. How does it compare in flight?

Also I've been considering electrifying one of my Brolgas with a Cdrom motor and Lipo power. Could anyone give me an idea of what gear would be suitable?

Curare

Jun 13, 2006, 03:40 AM

Sorry mate, can't give you many ideas on what to expect in terms of electrifying it.

The GL is a little lighter, but they'll thermal like their a pidgeon pair.

Don't go too hard on the structure, make sure you leave in the good bits, like mainspars!!!

Lunns

Jun 13, 2006, 07:07 PM

The brolga was my first sailplane, believe it or not built a little over 20 yrs ago, and it still flies!! :eek: :eek:

I have at different times used a power pod with a norvel .061 spinning a 6x3 prop for a gentle climb, so if you can get something to match that power preferably using a larger folding prop you should do ok.

Good luck,
Steve

dingo

Jun 14, 2006, 06:04 PM

I`ve got a Brolga . It was my first kit model . Took me forever to build & I went & busted the wing on its first flight , I was a shattered man but it turned out to be an easy repair . I always thought the rudder was a bit small for it & it had very poor penetration into a headwind . Most flights were off a bungie & a couple off the slope . I`ve still got the plane minus the servos . Maybe the Brolga 2 has got a bigger rudder .
I`d look at a geared 480 motor on 8 gp1100 or kan 1050 cells or even a 3s lipo .Geared 480`s used to be a common off the shelf item at most hobby shops & even used to include a folding prop . Not so sure nowadays though since the brushless invasion .

aerohydro

Jun 14, 2006, 06:35 PM

I think the 2 just means 2 metres. I've heard of a larger Brolga Aeroflyte makes, 3m I think.

I really want to power this thing with a homemade brushless setup of some sort, but since I'm new to this I'd like to get started with CD motors before I do any machining. I probably need to build a smaller plane to practice with.

Thanks,

Leon.

Curare

Jun 15, 2006, 03:09 AM

No, there is no larger brolga, it's an albatross once you go over 2m.

as for smaller planes for CD motors, I suggest you follow me to the foamies section!

much to chose from!

aerohydro

Jun 17, 2006, 07:46 AM

Here's a horrible picture of the wing and fuse of my new brolga. Note the added lightness.

Curare

Jun 19, 2006, 12:03 AM

double post

Curare

Jun 19, 2006, 12:05 AM

Looking good, but very light!!.

If I were you I'd add some shear webs to those spars!

aerohydro

Jun 19, 2006, 04:41 AM

Yeah I still need to put them in. I now have the vertical stab and rudder done as well. My servos should arrive in a couple of days so perhaps not too long before it's in the air.

Curare

Jun 19, 2006, 08:54 AM

I loan you some 507's :)

aerohydro

Jun 19, 2006, 10:38 PM

Some slightly better photos:

Wing with main spar shear webs in place and LE and TE shaped.

Fin and rudder, not sanded yet.

Curare

Jun 19, 2006, 11:56 PM

Hmm, yeah there's not much to that rudder is there?

the wing's looking great.

Have you thought about adding a counterbalance to the rudder, to get some more area, and aspect ratio?

aerohydro

Jun 20, 2006, 01:26 AM

No I hadn't thought of that, sounds like a good idea though. Of course the brolga is the only sailplane I've ever flown so I have nothing to compare it to in terms of manouverability.

Is the rudder much smaller than on other designs?

Curare

Jun 20, 2006, 01:46 AM

Well, for me it's more a question of what I want it to do.

What kind of radio to you fly? Larger control surfaces making little movements is better than small ones making flapping motions:)

If you've got computer radio that you can incorporate some expo in I'd make a bigger rudder, so you've got the control authority there should you need it, and fine control when you're pootling about. if you dont have computer radio it might be okay to leave it,or, just fly faster:)

aerohydro

Jun 20, 2006, 06:46 AM

At the moment the only radio I have working is a cheapo 2 channel futaba so no expo. I think I'll just stick with the standard rudder first but I'll make a larger one as well to try.

I have all the tail components done now and the wing is ready to cover.

Now, what's the cheapest/simplest system for control rods? Does the GL use balsa somehow? How does that work? Is pull-pull too much hassle?

Thanks.

Curare

Jun 20, 2006, 10:35 PM

Yeah balsa pushrods are pretty easy to do.

From memory the old brolga comes with ny rods, personally I hate them as they change trim during the day so you're constantly trimming. I'm a pattern guy so I like my planes to fly true all the time.

On a glider it doesn't matter so much but if you wanna go for pushrods, I'll tell you how, or just go with the supplied nyrod.

aerohydro

Jun 21, 2006, 04:38 AM

I'm building from the plans so have none of the kit hardware. I don't have a proper hobby shop within a few hundred km so I'm looking for an alternative to the nyrods. How do the balsa rods work? What supports them within the fuse? What size?

Thanks for the help.

Curare

Jun 21, 2006, 09:16 PM

Okay, with pushrods, what you want is Pretty stiff balsa square. so say 6mm balsa for the length that you've gotta go between the servos and the tail. The stiffer the better. Then get yourself some 2-56 threaded end pushrod material from your local hobby shop, and some without a threaded end, (shouldn't cost too much), and a some nice clevises.

Figure out how long your pushrods need to be, from servo to control surface, and then get your threaded rod, and then hook it up to your control horn with your clevis, and make sure the thread is about halfway into the clevis (this gives you adjustment space for trimming), then figure out where this is going to sit in the fuselage. What you want is the minimum of length of rod, (saving weight see?) that you can get away with without the balsa pushrod binding on the sides of the fuse, or anything else for that matter, even each other. Then give yourself about a 50mm or 60mm overlap of rod over the balsa, put a small bend in the rod to stop it twisting, then bind it onto the balsa with cotton, and then wick it out with balsa cement or CA.

For the servo end you just wanna use a Z bend, and make it the same as the tail end.

If you wanna save some wieght you can taper the pushrod where your binding too.

THis should give you really positive control and it doesn't need to be supported, it's self supporting. Just make sure that you have no binding up when you move the control surface, or you'll stall your servo, and lose battery power,(and maybe lose the plane).

Here's a quick pic of what I'm talking about. This method has been used for the best part of 50 years, and from everything to my tiny foam models to 120 sized ultimate biplanes. The only time I've ever had a failure, was when the fuselage broke!!! Obviously the bigger the plane the bigger the gear tho.

aerohydro

Jun 22, 2006, 03:37 AM

Thanks for that, very helpful. I'd say that's the way I'll go.

yogorilla

Jul 21, 2006, 02:30 AM

Aerohydro, I am in the process of converting a 20 yr old brolga to electric power. I have 2 options I am considering, I have a 4:1 geared 480 which is what I will try first as well as a 980 kv brushless outrunner that should be able to put out similar power with a similar sized prop. I'm going for the 480 first in an attempt to balance the beast. I hacked off the noseblock and mounted the motor to the back off F1 but I did a lousy job when I built it and the thrust line is all over the place. I'm thinking I'll cut it off and extend the nose to help balance it as well. Nice work on the wing there, I'm going to struggle a bit as when I built the wing I opted for he full box section with glassed center. At least it wont break on me....

aerohydro

Jul 23, 2006, 06:51 AM

Sounds like fun. My ultra light version has been maidened but I'm having to resolve some covering issues. I don't think the weight is that much of an issue. I haven't noticed drastically better performance over my old heavy kit version, though my new one is much more fragile. Just keep it straight and it'll fly well.

Curare

Jul 23, 2006, 09:58 PM

Provided you've built it light enough the wing will definetely handle the wieght, and I don't think your L/D will be affected that much. It just means that you won't be able to go vertical, you'll probably have to fly it up to height.

saggita2000

Jul 23, 2006, 10:36 PM

hi from ballarat.....learnt to fly thermal on a brolga and as someone else has said,got rid of it for something else.wish now i had still kept the plan.would like the chance to build another.they look and fly superbly,similar to the lee renuad aquila,i think my favorite glider for looks and performance.(built up that is)
good luck with your project....

dave

aerohydro

Oct 28, 2006, 05:52 AM

Here's a few photos of my Brolgas. I'm currently trying to get both of them flying.

The wing with the balsa sheeting was built about 3 years ago from ridiculously heavy kit wood. It's rock solid and is covered with 38 micron laminating film. The fuselage with no tail attached is also from my original kit. I removed the nylon pushrods as I'm going to use a pull-pull system. The vertical and horizontal stabilisers are original but I built a new, non-warped elevator and a larger rudder.
Weights for this plane are:
wing -244g
fuselage -112g
tail group -34g

The lighter wing goes with the other fuse and is the one I posted photos of earlier in this thread. The fuse with no radio gear but a few lead sinkers in the nose block weighs 108 grams. The uncovered wing is 101g. The wing is part way through a de-smashifying process which began soon after a launch with a collapsed TX antenna. This fuse need a tow hook fitted. I bought some 1/8" high tensile cap screws which I'll probably attach to a piece of aluminium plate with several holes or a slot.

I really need some advise on radio gear. I have a 6 channel GWS Pico rx and pico servos. I also have a standard size 2 channel Futaba rx and a stack of standard size servos. The Futaba set is what I originally flew the first brolga with and it worked well enough. I probably never got high enough to go out of range though, I'll have to do some range testing. I've heard the range of the GWS rx is inadequate for sailplanes, but maybe I can get away with it by going to a longer antenna? Standard size servos are heavy but these old 2 metre jobs seem to handle it well.

Ideally I'd like to have both Brolgas flying at once and I'd like to avoid buying any more gear.

Does anyone have any suggestions or comments?

Thanks,

Leon.

aerohydro

Oct 28, 2006, 06:11 AM

Here's a couple of shots of the light brolga on one of its first few flights. Covering is doped tissue.

kkw

Oct 28, 2006, 06:35 AM

Here's a pic of one I built for a customer. Horrible glider in my opinion :)
Sorry..

aerohydro

Oct 28, 2006, 06:52 AM

Why do you say that?

kkw

Oct 28, 2006, 09:40 PM

It's only my opinion. Light, weak, flat bottom airfoil essentially, old style. I have flown a few of them, and they just don't perform to my expectations. Gliders of that same vintage, such as the 2m Sagitta or the 2m Prophet or the Spirit, all perform much better and are of stronger construction. Pilots who fly this type of glider, are generally new RC'ers, and they get the impression that this is what sailplanes must fly like, and go to other areas of R.C. I fly many 'codes' and find sailplanes the most challenging for me, to fly well. In the 2m class, I now fly the excellent First, First+ and Starling Pro gliders. Most of the other guys in my Club and surrounding Sydney area also fly these models.
Go with the Brolga by all means, but do keep in mind that there are a host of better performers, with modern airfoils and MUCH better performance. Hope you have a lot of fun with it, as after all, that is what its all about :)

aerohydro

Oct 29, 2006, 03:03 AM

I definately won't argue any of those points, everything you say is correct. I'm not after performance at this point though, just something that is slow, stable and forgiving. I know these designs can't handle wind, but if it's windy I'll go sailing instead.

Does anyone have any comments on radio gear?

kkw

Oct 29, 2006, 03:53 AM

Hmmm. Posted a reply about 30mins bck, and it hasn't shown up. Lost in hyperspace..
If you haven't mentally blocked out my suggestions :D then I would recommend a simple 2 channel Sanwa. At around $80, which includes radio, 2 servos and a receiver, you can't go wrong for the Brolga and similar 2 channel sailplanes. If you have trouble getting one up your way, PM me. I have a few in stock.

aerohydro

Oct 29, 2006, 05:21 AM

All suggestions are much appreciated. I already have a 2 channel futaba set with standars servos. Any idea what range is like with these cheap sets?

I also have a GWS 6 ch. Tx with Pico rx but I think range would be inadequate with this rx. maybe not if I extend the antenna to 1/8 wavelength?

Thanks,

Leon.

Miraj

Oct 29, 2006, 09:36 PM

Had one of these and also version 1, i had to change the rudder(make it larger), it just wouldnt turn.
Made a t-tail version, looked sweet, but good old doggy had a chew on it.

The Aeroflyte Albatross in its time flew better with a few mods. Sheeted leading edge due to tip flutter.

M

aerohydro

Oct 29, 2006, 10:05 PM

I need some advice on wing structure. I have applied a 12 carbon fibre tow to the lower spar of the light wing pictured in an earlier post. This added about 6 grams using CA as the bonding agent. Will this be effective in strengthening and stiffening the built up structure, or does it really need the top of the spar done as well?

Thanks.

aerohydro

Oct 29, 2006, 10:07 PM

Miraj, the Albatross looks pretty nice, very similar to the Brolgas. How does it fly in comparison?

Leon.

Curare

Oct 30, 2006, 12:43 AM

just bigger.

If you can, get a better designed sailplane. I'm currently building a stepp 3 and I'm pretty impressed with it.

Or failing that wait a while and buy yourself one of the rekitted sagittas, which is also on my christmas list.

http://aerosphereonline.com/

kkw

Oct 30, 2006, 01:23 AM

Yes the Saggitta (note spelling :)) was redrawn and rekitted by OLD Timer Aircraft and myself, after the original sagitta 600 was discontinued by Airtronics. The short kit of our redesigned version is still available from Dave Brown. We give one away after every round of 2m Millennium Cup competition. Now there's an incentive to compete in the next round in 2 weeks time, or in one or all of the seven rounds next year. Then again... there is always the First, which I import :D

aerohydro

Oct 30, 2006, 01:29 AM

Ok, I think its becoming fairly clear that the Brolga is not the best design ever. Can anyone point me to a design which is better performing and has plans available to build from or a kit in Australia? I can handle foam cutting but I'd rather stick to balsa.

Thanks,

Leon.

Curare

Oct 30, 2006, 01:44 AM

Don't get discouraged, the brolga's not a complete heap, they're a good little floater, but they're not really great competition ships.

If you want something a bigger and better, see if you can get one of the stepp 3's from Modelflight.

aerohydro

Oct 30, 2006, 02:10 AM

Curare

Oct 30, 2006, 02:26 AM

good thinking:)

there's nothing that can substite stick time:), and if you get the bug bad, you'll be looking at the clouds every spare moment, wanting, wishing, waiting.....

FrogChief

Oct 30, 2006, 03:08 AM

Ahhh I see, you guys are talking about competition. I don't intend to compete in any way. I'm happy to stick with this pair of floaters until I've learned what I can from them, though this may take a while as I have plenty of other things using up my time.

You have built 2 very nice little airplanes there. There's absolutely nothing wrong with them...

If you just want to FLY and have a nice, relaxing time, then thats what they were designed for. Leave the timed tasks and dorked landings to the moldies... ;)

Think about it like this...Sure...new airplanes built with modern techniques may be "better" design wise...but just what is better anyhow? the "best" sailplane or anything for that matter is what suits YOUR needs, thats all. :D

aerohydro

Oct 30, 2006, 03:41 AM

Thanks FrogChief (interesting name). My problem is that I have too many bugs other than sailplanes.

What sort of rx pack should I be using? In smaller gliders I've run 2 GWS Pico servos of a single 250mAh LiPo cell, and when I flew the Brolga years ago I used a 4xAA alkaline pack. I think I probably need to get a NiCd/NiMH charger.

Miraj

Oct 30, 2006, 05:28 PM

Curare is right you can get better designs these days, but they flew ok. Real slow, forgiving, perfect for a learner.
Cheaper startup, kit is about $120AUD and 2 channel gear $60AUD.

But remember crunchies go crunch. lol

M

Curare

Oct 30, 2006, 08:19 PM

...Only when you mess up.

The trick is not to mess up.

aerohydro

Oct 30, 2006, 10:49 PM

Exactly. And when you've bought 1 kit you can keep building more very cheaply.

Anyway, am I going to notice better performance if I ditch the standard 38g servos for something lighter?

Leon.

Curare

Oct 31, 2006, 03:09 AM

In my opinion, probably not.

There's enough wing area, you'll do fine. If you did want to save some weight, maybe you should consider a smaller NiMH pack, say 500mah AAA or something like that:)

your loads from 2 servos should give you enough to fly all day:)

aerohydro

Oct 31, 2006, 03:22 AM

Curare

Oct 31, 2006, 03:52 AM

How far from the root is this?
Provided you've glued the shear webs to the spars and the carbon to the caps it should be enough. Are you sheeting the wing as well?

Where's the shear webs in those trailing edges! BIG SMACKS!!!

aerohydro

Oct 31, 2006, 05:11 AM

About the middle of one of the centre panels. I don't think I'll sheet this wing unless I have problems with torsional stiffness. The rest of the TE has shear webs, that bit is a section I had to replace and still needs a bit of work.

Curare

Oct 31, 2006, 06:23 AM

Okie dokes, but just a word of warning, if you decide not to sheet it you do lose a fair amount of longitudinal strength, as the curved sheeting helps this a lot.

but, for a good starter, if you can pick the plane up by a wingtip, leaving the other on the ground and bounce the fuselage a few centimeteres without having a wing collapse it'll be good enough for flight loads.

Unfortunately there's really only one method of testing if a wing is strong enough for a bungee or winch launch.

suck it and see.

Miraj

Oct 31, 2006, 09:23 PM

you dont use spruce for your spars?

I used balsa for my first brolga and snapped the wings on a winch, switched to spruce on the second set of wing and i could F3B style flicks off the top.

M

aerohydro

Nov 01, 2006, 12:54 AM

kkw

Nov 01, 2006, 01:20 AM

switched to spruce on the second set of wing and i could F3B style flicks off the top. M
I would LOVE to see that. Gentle tap tap tap on the peddle and then a non ping would be more the case. Sorry, I needed that chuckle :) We fly loads of 2m gliders in comps, and the Spirits and Sagittas, Prophets and Drifter ll's all need very gentle touches on a winch. The above four are constructed MUCH stronger than the Brolga. The First is the only commercial 2m I have seen, that can ping off the winch F3b style. We get an additional 150' to 180' off the ping.
btw. - love your shark cat avitar

Curare

Nov 01, 2006, 01:54 AM

Miraj, I'm using balsa spars because I won't be launching aggressively and I have a 12k carbon tow to take tensile load on launch. We'll soon find out if I'm wrong.

Curare, Do you mean holding the plane by a wingtip and dropping back onto the ground? A bit violent perhaps? I think I've misunderstood what you mean. I'm starting to think some very light sheeting on the centre sections may be a good idea. I haven't decided yet though.

Thanks for the input.

I would never suggest you throw around your plane to see if it's strong enough. It'll get enough of a bashing just flying!!!

What I meant was that you attach the wing to the plane and lift up one wing tip till the fuselage is floating above the ground. then sort of wobble the tip in your hand, and the fuselage will bounce. don't make the whole thing jump or the shock could break something! you just wanna make sure the wing doesn't pop under it's own wieght! it's a good tester for flight loads. If the wing distorts badly then you've got a problem.

aerohydro

Nov 01, 2006, 04:01 AM

That seems so obvious but I never would have thought of it, thanks.

Miraj

Nov 01, 2006, 05:07 PM

kkw
I made the albatross that way (picy prev page), and with the bungee we have, full stretch, well as far back as we can get without it pulling us over. Let her go and i get the slightest wing flex.
Found the avatar on the net a while back, still gives me a giggle.

arrrh, the prophet, what a plane. My uncle had one years back, it out performed my little old brolga hands down. There was a larger version if i remember right. Now that in an XL format would be tippy top.

M

kkw

Nov 01, 2006, 05:53 PM

Yes, I had both. Still got plans for the 2m version. The larger Prophet never flew as well as the 78" (2m) one though.

solo6796

Nov 01, 2006, 09:36 PM

Yeah thats what I was thinking. I guess I'll wait and see how they balance out.

Can anyone out there give me some structural advice? I applied a carbon fibre to spar cap to the bottom of the main spar on the unsheeted wing. Do I need to do the top as well to make it worthwhile or will just the balsa be good enough in compression to take gentle launch loads?

Yes... The top spar needs about twice the reinforcement given to the bottom one. The failure mode will be the top spar buckling from compression if given enough stress.

AJ

aerohydro

Nov 02, 2006, 01:12 AM

Thanks, I thought I'd probably have to but I don't have enough theoretical knowledge or practical experience smashing wings.

aerohydro

Nov 19, 2006, 06:21 PM

Well here's an update. The model I built from a kit years ago is just about ready to fly again. It's ugly and was done on the cheap but is strong and not too heavy I think. AUW is 554g, 19.55oz for you non metric people. How does that sound for a model like this? I have nothing to compare it to.

The gear I have installed now is less than ideal. Its a cheapo Futaba 2 channel set, complete with standard size servos. The range is probably ok for learning and slermal flying but I'd like to get something better. I have a GWS 6 channel TX so I really just need a decent rx and maybe some lighter servos. I don't suppose pico servos would have enough torque would they? Can anyone suggest a cheap rx with adeqaute range for a 2 metre sailplane?

Leon.

yogorilla

Nov 19, 2006, 06:37 PM

Nothing wrong with a 2 channel unit for a 2 channel glider, AFAIK it should have plenty of range. More expensive systems have more channels and more features such as computer mixing and exponential, I think where todays cheap stuff loses range is with the cheap micro single conversion receivers, if yours is dual conversion you should be right. If it's anything like mine was you'll need as much noseweight as you can get so std size servos are fine.

aerohydro

Nov 19, 2006, 07:06 PM

I think the set should be adequate, It does balance without much extra nose weight with the chunky servos. About the most annoying thing is that the controls are on two separate TX sticks but I suppose I'll just learn to live with that.

I have a GWS RN6II which I don't think has an excellent reputed range, though supposedly better than the Pico models. I made a range testing rig using a standard servo with a long stick attached for visibility. With the rx antenna in a loose pile and the tx antenna collapsed I get 25 metres befor the servo starts slight jittering. I can get more than double this distance still with full control, though the slight jittering is still there. I get some improvement by giving the rx antenna a straight run. I will try a double lengthe rx antenna to see if that improves range. We'll see if this also increases interference, but that should not be too much of a problem where I live.

Curare

Nov 19, 2006, 08:44 PM

Having two controls on the one stick ain't so bad, it's setting you up for mode 1 flying later in your career, where you have ailerons and throttle on one stick and rudder and elevator on the other, trust me it'll make the transition to other aircraft much easier, if you stick with this.

The cheapy futaba radio should be good enough, do a range check anyway, and see how you go:)

Miraj

Nov 19, 2006, 09:16 PM

Aerohydro
Looks fine to me, It will fly.
Where abouts are you on in Northern NSW? I used to live at Port Macquarie, nice spot for slopin. actually going back down there for chrissy. Stopping in at iluka for a few days of campin with the family, any nice slopes there?
M

aerohydro

Nov 19, 2006, 10:23 PM

I live a little bit south of Coffs Harbour. I was camping around the Maclean/Brooms head area a few weeks ago, dunno about slopes there. I'll have to go looking for a nice headland somwhere.

Curare: Thats the problem, I already fly a little bit of mode 1 but the cheapo radio has 2 separate sticks controlling 1 channel each. I suppose its the same as flying an elevator/aileron model.

yogorilla

Nov 19, 2006, 10:34 PM

As far as controls on sticks is concerned I've always had the primary turning control on the right stick, be it rudder or aileron, the rudder moving to the left stick on my 4 channel model.

aerohydro

Nov 20, 2006, 02:03 AM

Hmmm yeah ok, probably makes more sense that way anyway. I suppose it gives a bit more precision. Good thing my hands haven't learned much either way.

Curare

Nov 20, 2006, 02:11 AM

YEP!, you're on the right track, treat the rudder as your ailerons, so you have one turny stick and one uppy downy stick:) That way everything will pretty much stay the same with everything you fly, the only difference is that rudder will turn a sailplane, and ailerons will roll it, but it's the same train of thought

you know, "must turn" use right stick, etc..

Desert flier

Dec 18, 2006, 06:55 AM

I also have a brolga took me over 15 years to build started in 86. Hung from the roof for most of that time as I was to scared to fly it :eek: Finaly I recaught the RC bug but diddnt want to learn on my sacred Brolga so bought a foammie and thrashed that around untill it was more araldite than foam I hten got a 400 speed motor and 7cell nmh and launched the brolga after sorting some small problems out like wing twists it flew great Flew it for over 2 years and still have it hanging in the shed roof for my son to learn on when he gets old enough I now fly an Alegro with a 600 speed and a bubble dancer with a glow .25 the Brolga was so docile and strong a great glider to learn on. :) :)

neilmny

Dec 18, 2006, 02:25 PM

That's very interesting Desert flyer.

My brother bought a Brolga at about the same time. After building it to the point where only covering and fitting of the radio gear was needed it sat around in the dust until I finished it for him earlier this year. It's a great flyer we couldn't believe how well it went when we threw it of a hill near his place into the wind. Neither of us had much idea, (he has a limited pilots license and I've flown electric foamies etc.) So we had an understanding of flight, but bugger all about gliders. We had a great day out and as soon as work permits we'll get together and have another go with a few refinements (also read as repairs :D ) better servos, JR type 36mhz radio and rechargeable batteries. The 29mhz Sanwa (I think it is) was OK, but I wanted to make it compatible with another plane I've built him.

Can anyone tell me if this could be powered by a brushless or do you need the grunt of a glo?

Neil.

Desert flier

Dec 18, 2006, 04:26 PM

I have a 400 speed motor with a folding prop and it would climb on a 7 cell firebird pack ok when the packs were new but after 6 8 months the packs got a bit tired and the climb was marginal especialy on a hot day and flying in sink looking for lift. When I get it going abain I will leave the 400 brushed motor in and use lopolly batteries and it will climb a lot better. THe best hting about brushed 400 is they only cost about $25 and speedy only a bit more.

buzzardsfly

Dec 31, 2006, 09:58 AM

I have flown futaba 2 channel FP-2g and the Sanwa Dash 2 channel to the limit of my vision in both height and range(upwind or downwind). Thats when I was 20 and my vision was alot better.

I have a Brolga 2 kit here, it is a die cut kit. Has anyone heard of a laser cut version ??

Chris

Desert flier

Dec 31, 2006, 05:34 PM

I dont know if Aeroflight do laser as I have just bought my son a small Aero flight kit for x mas and it was die cut same as the brolga I built 15 yrs ago

tyrone77

Jun 05, 2007, 12:52 AM

Hey Guys
I flew with a Brolga years ago and want to resurect it. Do you know where I can get my hot little hands on a free downloaded plan?

Curare

Jun 05, 2007, 02:29 AM

You'll be hard pressed to find any aeroflyte stuff these days.

They're now kaput, so you're gonna be a little on your own.

Having said that I've been toying with the idea of doing some relatively simple 2m designs that while not being moulded beauties are at least fun clubbies to take the place of the brolga's and stuff.

2m gliders are perfect for that 2 channel radio you have lying around and aren't as daunting as a 3m project.

tyrone77

Jun 05, 2007, 08:13 AM

Hey All
I have flown the Brolga for years and its a great glider for beginner to experienced. If you know how to tweak it.
Im comming back to the hobby and was wondering if you know where I can download some free plans for this bird.

Curare

Jun 05, 2007, 10:32 PM

I don't think you'll be able to download the plans, but I'ms sure if you ask around the local clubs or hobby shops someone might lend you one.

steve wenban

Jun 07, 2007, 12:15 AM

Its a box with wings flat bottomed not even clark y section I built many years ago the 2.5 mtr version called a gemini I think it was from memory had a cradle made up on top of a mates 1/4 scale J3 cub used to do aero launch that was nearly 30 years ago now. Aeroflyte are long gone and there are so many other much better perfoming 2.0 mtr ship around these days anyway, go to the airborne mag site http://www.airbornemagazine.com.au/planHome.htm some good old thermallers in the list .FWIW
SteveW

Curare

Jun 07, 2007, 02:10 AM

Steve, the 2.5m was the good ol' albatross.

steve wenban

Jun 07, 2007, 06:25 AM

Nope there was one before the albatross the name just escapes my memory atthe moment.
SteveW

Curare

Jun 07, 2007, 08:41 PM

The trident?

steve wenban

Jun 07, 2007, 08:59 PM

The trident?
You got it thanks been racking my brian trying to recall it :)
SteveW

madhun1

Jun 26, 2007, 10:34 PM

Was talking to Ozzietraders who purchased all the Aeroflyte gear, and they advise that shortly they will be putting a few of the old aeroflyte aircraft, both gliders and powered versions back into production! I guess with sufficient demand that could include just about anything Aeroflyte made, assuming they still have the plans available!

Desert flier

Jun 27, 2007, 01:58 AM

Thats great the blolga that i have is such a floater with a 400 speed and folder :)

littleeagle

Jul 21, 2007, 10:45 PM

Hey Guys
I flew with a Brolga years ago and want to resurect it. Do you know where I can get my hot little hands on a free downloaded plan?

Hi Tyrone.
I'm still building a Brolga - should be finished soon. If you want to have my plan when I'm finished that could be organised. E-mail me at kdfisher5577@hotmail.com Are you sure you don't want to build something better? A Great Planes Spirit?

Cheers,
Littleeagle

straightwings

Nov 30, 2007, 08:49 AM

Dont want to cause a fight or anything but i won at armidale with a first edition brolga way back in 1990 i even got my name in airborne for doing so, i also came in tenth or eleventh place overall up against the f3b machines so don't discount the brolga too quickly in the right hands anything can happen.

These days however the brolga is no more then a training platform its designed to fly slowly to give new pilots lots of time to think about whats happening.
The new first and first+ line of sailplanes are getting good reports not to mention several other leading manufactorers sailplanes.

Alot is learnt if you watch what the sailplane is telling you in the way it flys a little wobble could be an indication of lift did it push to the left or right that 4 lane highway could be producing plenty of lift to keep you up all day or that stand of tree's on the hill even the farmers hay shed can be of benefit if you know what to look for. when flying competition you have to learn to use what ever lift is available.How did that eagle get way up there??????

encouragment is what we all need
discouragment comes after that first big crash
thank god for ARF.
Happy spot landings

tocano

Jan 31, 2008, 03:29 AM

Wow I didn't know they still make Brolga!
It's my very first glider and I learnt to fly RC on it back in 1985-6.
Nice glider for a lazy calm day, easy to thermal and fly.
I also still have Sagitta but hasn't been flown for years.
Sagitta flies nicer on a windier day but not as relaxing as Brolga on a calm day.

Desert flier

Jan 31, 2008, 02:13 PM

That sure is right just floats and floats I have mine hanging in the hall when my son gets older and if he is interested will take it down and dust it off

ShaneW

Apr 24, 2009, 08:00 AM

If anyone's interested, I'm working on a DXF for the Brolga.

Mine is a similar story to many; it was my first RC model and a joy to fly with many great memories.

I eventually stuffed the fuz whilst sloping it in my teens (after many, many days of bunge launch, thermal flying) and it got put into the garage.

It's now out again and I also found the old A3 photo copied sheets I had of the plan which I've now used to start a CAD model from.

The basic fuz pieces are now all drawn. I probably won't do the wing as this can be done in something like compufoil, and the rudder and tail plain are pretty basic (but I'll probably draw them up anyway).

Let me know if you want a copy of what I've done.

aerohydro

Oct 08, 2009, 06:57 PM

Who is still flying or working on a Brolga?
I have been cobbling one together, it's just about ready to fly. The finish is pretty awful, lots of dings and dirt. The wing and tail are covered with laminating film but the fuse only has a coat of dope. I'm thinking of sanding it back and applying some film. I don't have a receiver battery of sufficient size on hand so I'm thinking of just using 4 AA cells in a plastic holder. Crude, but this is a pretty crude sailplane.

Is 672g a reasonable mass for this design? I've used heavy standard servos, and I think it might even be a bit nose heavy so there is the potential to use a smaller battery.

Desert flier

Oct 08, 2009, 07:25 PM

looks good you gping to slope or winch launch?

aerohydro

Oct 08, 2009, 07:41 PM

The field where I intend to fly has rolling hills. There is no really steep lift but it should be good enough for this slow thing. Hopefully I can snag a bit of thermal lift as well. I don't have a winch or Hi-start, but I'm considering trying some hand-towing.

I remember once reading about a human-powered winch made from bicycle parts but haven't been able to find it again. Perhaps something like that is worth trying?