First Scale Experience

[flightfreak2]

Cut my teeth on scale today!! Launched my DG600 2.7 on the hi-start (better suited for 2 meter) and had a very nice flight. It stalled on take-off but I was able to recover. Took her up to about 300'. Very impressed by the glide. Very smooth and stable in the air. Flew final about 10' over my head, and ground skimmed at 1' for 75 yards! The L/D blew me away! 2nd flight the same thing, stalled 10' away and barely made it up. CG at the spar, with tow hook .375 ahead. Any suggestions? I launched it like my Whisper, the only other hi-start glider I have. I thought scale stuff didn't fly as well as TD planes!!!:D

[rrowley]

Congratulations, on first flight of the DG600. Is it the one made by Dirks-Glaser and sold by Icare? I have been looking at that model as an introduction to scale also. Does it come with the wing tips, and does that allow it to be both 2.7 and 3.2 meter?

Show us a picture if you can.

On your launching problem, I am pretty new to this, but I was wondering at what angle you are launching. I bet that the 60oz DG600 has to be launched fairly flat and then let it go up, as opposed to your Whisper, which is probably lighter and could take a greater launch angle without stalling. Just a thought.

[scalesoar]

It is always surprising to those entering scale for the first time how much more realistically scale ships fly than TD ships. Even at 2.5 meters, which is a relativly small scale Sailplane. They will out glide and "fly" any TD ship. They simply fly more like a real aircraft, requiring coordinated turns, careful attention to landing sequence, and outstanding thermal potential. The old misnomer that scale ships tip stall is a myth as well. Early on, several pioneer scale offerings had some bad habits, now most scale ships have modern HQ or Selig airfoils with molded in washout. They fly great! The difficulties most TD pilots have in transitioning to scale are
1. they tend to try to fly too slowly
2. they try to land them like a TD ship

Winching or high starting requires a more forward tow hook position because of the larger fuselage. When towing, climb at a gentle angle until you are sure the stab is flying. Scale ships tend to have a smaller overall tail volume than the average TD ship and require a little more speed to become all flying. ROG launches are recomended for winch and High start, especcially with larger scale ships.
have fun,
John Derstine

scalesoaring (http://www.scalesoaring.net)

[flightfreak2]

Hi Rrowley, My model is made by Gerasis. Dirks-Glaser manufactures the full size version. I got mine a HL close-out for 150$. No flaps, but the ailerons are large enough for reasonable glide path control when used as spoilerons. No wing extensions on this version either. Obechi covered foam wings are quite strong. Very fast loops will tweek the wing joiner (8mm steel) as I just found out! This is only #6 in my fleet, but I am very impressed. I'll add a scale wheel and wing skids before the next flight. My first scale sailplane has left a big grin so far!!

[flightfreak2]

Scalesoar, Thanks for your advice. I very much appreciate all the helpful words recieved on this forum. Can you give me some idea of the proper towhook position? 1 or 2 inches in front of the CG, or even more? Thanks again MJ

[rrowley]

Duh, I bet the DG in DG600 stands for Dirks-Glaser. :D

Looks like scalesoar has the answer with moving the tow hook. Keep us posted on future flights.

I too am excited about these new forums and LiftZone in general.

Rod Rowley

[alibodin]

Congrats Flightfreak and welcome to scale soaring. It is great fun and different as well. I flew my 4m scale discus last week for its maiden flight and the grin is wearing off.

May all your landings be smooth!

Alistair
:D

[Gary Retterbush]

Your tow hook is not far enough forward! It should be at least 15-20 degrees forward of the CG point. On your plane I would guess that would be around 3/4 of an inch or more.

With scale birds we are not trying to do an F3B start. We want a SAFE start. Launch her with just a tad of nose up and with that hook further forward. Should be no sweat. We hand launch/hi start up to around 4-4.5 meters. Over that and it is best to ROG on the hi start. Needless to say, the hi start rubber has to be up to the job.

BTW, are you using a combi mix (aileron to rudder)? If so, I strongly suggest not using it on start or landing. YMMV

[MTT]

I think the best way of launching these ships is ROG, with the bridle setup and dual towhooks as described on the ISSA website : winch launching (http://www.soaringissa.org/tech_tips/winch_launching.htm)
I have launched my 3.75 m Flair Ka8 with this setup, and it works perfectly ! The plane would roll for about 10 feet and the climb out.
I have heard that this setup is also used with rubber hi-starts, and a foot release, it works just as well, the only drawback compared to winch launching is, that once it is on its way, you don't have any cntrol over the launch as you do with a winch.

But by far the best method is aerotow !
I had my first aerotow experience, as well as the first flight of my Multiplex ASH 26 this weekend, and it is way less stressful than winch- or hi-start launching, and you get a lot better release altutudes !

Michael