New speed record available if you have a little extra $$$

[flystoolow]

Here's a quote from Dr. Mark Drela:

"An unbreakable full-size sailplane with L/D=50 could probably reach 500 mph in 50 mph DS conditions."

There are a few retired millionaires that frequent this forum...so it's just a matter of throwing a little money at a radio controlled custom-built full-size without the seat!

Heck, you should have spent the 'extra' money a year ago before it disappeared in the stock market.

[Cory]

I may be wrong here, because I certainly don't know exactly who all you're talking about, but I'm going to guess the following has something to do with it:

1. Those who are really bitten by the DS bug have a plane that is capable of enough more than their skill level to allow them to push their limits.

2. Most people don't get to, and keep, that level of financial success if they waste money.

3. It would be a waste to have a plane that was way above ones skill level. Currently I'd guess 500 is probably above anyone's skill level. Not that people won't get there, but currently your talking speeds that are between 134%-200% better than the top 35 pilots in the world. Only 4 of those guys are above 311. That's a big jump for anyone else but those 4.

4. When they guys who can afford it get good enough flying skills that they think they might be able to do it, attempts will be made to create 500 mph capable planes.

[Indubitably]

Do you realize how few and precious are the days when world records may actually be pushed up? And then factor in days that are that good when we can leave off work and get to those winds? And then have the planes in ready shape to fly? More scarce as our needs for more wind increase.

[daboz]

Hey it doesn’t take a doctor to see that Joe Manors Plane is already there just needs the right day. This is a plane that went 371 on its maiden flight, without pushing it and it was a short flight… Joes a great pilot but it took little of his flying skills to keep the plane in the groove at 350+. Plus show me an "un-breakable 500mph sail plane" and I'll show you how to break it. Not too much survives at speed straight in, not a servo, a battery, probably not anything, not even the Lead in the nose, lol,

[Jantar2A]

ROFLOL,,I'd like to see a full scale glider that will take 50+ G's

Most of them reach VNE (velocity never exceed) before 150kt's


Nick,who almost pulled the wings off of his full scale ds'ing a ridge.

[treehog]

ROFLOL,,I'd like to see a full scale glider that will take 50+ G's

Most of them reach VNE (velocity never exceed) before 150kt's


Nick,who almost pulled the wings off of his full scale ds'ing a ridge.


I suspect that if the demand is there with new composites and smaller wings to do more severe acro work 50g plus is achievable with enough funds thrown at it.

As to if the real full size glider pilots would want those kind of G turns for many minutes on end and spend possibly ~5 times as much money as a normal glider is another story

Probably find a suitable RC 6 or 7 meter glider could get more than ~400 MPH


The future looks to become one record broken after another .Who would think that even 300MPH would be broken.


Ralf

[Daemon]

It was predicted that 300mph would be broken quite early on.

The problem with bigger planes is that you have to make them
exponentially stronger to support the same mass at the same G-loading.
Basically if you look at the wing and heavy fuse system as a beam with a
weight in the center, if you make the beam 2x longer you have to make
it some 8x stronger (3rd power) to support the same load with same
deflection. If you don't build it 8x stronger, then it simply bends 8x more.
The building the strength in then increases your AUW even further, which will
be a problem for any sailplane (even one built for DS, as you still need to
launch and land the thing) and it increases material costs beyond reason.

ian

[cynjon]

ROFLOL,,I'd like to see a full scale glider that will take 50+ G's

I'd like to see the full-scale PILOT that can take 50+ G's... :eek:

[Broncomech]

Nick,who almost pulled the wings off of his full scale ds'ing a ridge.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to see the video.
Takes some kehones to DS an expensive toy glider, must take some really big ones to DS a full scale :eek:

[sl33pdirt]

ROFLOL,,I'd like to see a full scale glider that will take 50+ G's

Most of them reach VNE (velocity never exceed) before 150kt's


Nick,who almost pulled the wings off of his full scale ds'ing a ridge.


sure you did....

[Jantar2A]

I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to see the video.
Takes some kehones to DS an expensive toy glider, must take some really big ones to DS a full scale :eek:


That or a bit of stupidity,,,I'm lucky to be able to talk about it.

It was like one of those back side laps that you were wondering if you would make it back to the frontside,,,and then when you finally did,,you hope to hell the plane will hold together,,,I landed within five min. of the episode.

I felt the urge to go potty.
Nick

[daboz]

I felt the urge to go potty.
Nick


or at least clean it from your shorts... :eek: