gavoss
Jan 27, 2009, 11:18 AM
@2295606
!Introduction
| spec2
|
| @2295600
|> <b>Venue:</b> |< North America
|> <b>Media:</b> |< High Quality DVR
|> <b>Format:</b> |< DVD from Digital Master
|> <b>Packaging:</b> |< Standard DVD Case w/Color Artwork
|> <b>Run Time</b> |< ~ 1 Hour 50 minutes
|> <b>Price:</b> |< $24.95
|> <b>Manufacturer:</b> | <a href=http://www.radiocarbonart.com>Radio Carbon Art</a>
|> <b>Available From:</b> | <a href=http://www.radiocarbonart.com>Radio Carbon Art</a> and selected dealers
Pilots flying all types of sailplanes and of varying skill levels will enjoy this DVD. The new series is titled <i>Masters Class With Mike Smith</i>, and the education is just beginning! Planned are more DVDs with other expert pilots giving their thoughts and tips on becoming a Master RC Soaring Pilot!
!Kit Contents
The DVD is nicely packaged with a full color label and standard DVD case. In my review of RCA’s previous DVD, I made mention of education. Fittingly, this DVD is an actual soaring master class with Mike Smith. I’ve been informed that this DVD is first of the Master Class series, and we can expect many more How-To DVDs with other Master class flyers. Personally, I can’t wait!
Viewing Requirements:
• The DVD is an "All Region" DVD and should play on most current computers and DVD players.
@2295610:
!Getting Started:
Hypothetically, let’s say you were an up-and-coming sailplane pilot in your local club. After getting beaten month after month, would you start to ask the club champion questions about his setup, launch technique and thermal search patterns. You practice as often as you can and begin winning as much as the club champion. After traveling to a few contests and investing considerable time and energy to better yourself you go to the Nationals in Muncie or try out for one of the various “teams” the US in the World Soaring contest and find that there are still better flyers than yourself. You’d like to continue your flying education, but lack the time and resources. Now what do you do?
Again hypothetically, there is no sailplane club within an hour or two of your local flying field. You fly with 3-4 other guys who like to fly sailplanes but don’t want to compete. You want to become a better pilot and someday hope to fly in contests but you really don’t know how to progress. How do you get world-class instruction when there is no place locally to get help?
Paul Naton of Radio Carbon Art has done exactly the above. Paul spent three days with multi-champion Mike Smith, and although no one can tell you everything they know about soaring in a 2-hour DVD, together they explain many of the “secrets of a champion.” To give you some sense of Mike’s accomplishments, here’s an excerpt from an email he returned to me when I asked him about his modeling experience along with major wins and placings:
@2295601
Here’s his response:
<i>I began modeling with my father and brother in 1974 with a single channel Nomad glider in Alaska, then moved to CA in 1976. I flew the Windward, and a Wanderer, then Olympic II's, then a modified Aquila. I started winning contests flying with the North County Clouds, and the Torrey Pines Gulls. I started competing with the Southern California Soaring Clubs Contests (SC squared) in the 80's, and I won the year end trophy in 1997 or '98.
I started flying F3B back in the early '80s and participated in my first ever team selection contest in Joliet, Illinois with Mark Smith in 1982.
I flew only regional contests for many years, and ventured up to Visalia for the Fall Soaring Festival. I won that contest in 2000 in think, then again in 2006. I have flown at the Visalia contest almost every year since 2000. I attended my first AMA Nationals in Muncie in 2004, and Won the Unlimited class gliders, and placed second in Hand Launch Glider. I returned in 2006 and won all classes that I entered: F3B, Hand Launch, and Unlimited gliders. I was member of the 2003 US F3B team as a helper in Germany, then placed 3rd in 2004 for a place on the 2005 F3B team with Joe Wurts, and Gordon Jennings. The team placed 3rd and stood on the podium. I placed 8th at those World Champs in Lappeenranta Finland behind Joe in 7th. I was 3rd place again in 2006 and earned a spot on the 2007 F3B team with Tom Kiesling, and Aaron Valdes. I placed 8th again at this World Championships in Emmen, Switzerland, and the team came in 3rd again. This year, I won the team selection contest and will go to the World Championships for a 3rd time. It will be held in Brno, Czech Republic.
I won the first ever World Soaring Masters contest in 2006 in Muncie Indiana, and came in 4th in my attempt to repeat the win in 2008.
I really welcomed the opportunity to show what I know, and how I do things regarding setting up and flying Radio Controlled gliders for the DVD from RCA. I hope that at least a few people get something from my approach to flying that helps them enjoy this hobby even more than they might already.”</i>
!Chapters
What juicy tidbits of wisdom does Mike give us? Let’s look at the chapters (scenes) and subjects: (Note, there are a considerable number of chapter and subjects within each chapter. The list is long. I’ll only cover a portion of the chapters in this review. There is simply too much good information in the DVD and I couldn’t possibly cover them all in this review.
Chapter one is entitled Beginning, Master Class Soaring with Mike Smith.
*The meat of this feast starts with chapter two:
*Plane Setup
*CG
*Programming Setup
*Perfect Elevator Feel
*Aileron/Flap Throws
*Differential
*Flap/aileron Mix
*Aileron to Rudder Mix
*Camber Controls
*Flight Modes
*The Touch
*Tow Hook
*Launch Camber
*Launch Clinic
*Launch Details
*The Zoom
*Winch Controls
*Landings
*Landing Errors
*Approach Timing
*Bad landings
*Flying Demo Calm
*Flying Demo Windy
!CG and Towhook Placement
@2295609
Mike starts with the one of the most used procedures in modeling: The TLAR approach: “That Looks About Right”. If you’ve been modeling any length of time, you’ll understand that in general if it looks right, it usually is.
When flying any aircraft for the first time, the most important test or check before flying is to find the center of gravity. Mike uses the TLAR approach to define the CG on the test model (there is a <i>Performance Tuning</i> DVD for more specific information on CG setting). Tow hook placement is also found using the TLAR approach. Whether you agree with the controversial Dive Test or not, it displays dynamic balance instead of static balance; as the plane speeds up, the elevator increases in authority. Mike recommends a neutral to slightly positive pull out during the Dive Test, and I’m sure most experts would agree with that setting.
!!Camber, Mixes and Throws
Mike covers setting up the throws for each flying surface and mixing one surface to another. He also makes an important statement: it doesn’t matter what number the transmitter shows, what matters is that the surfaces move the required amount. For example, if you want 50% differential on the ailerons and you have 1” up and ½” down throw, but your transmitter displays something other than 50%, it doesn’t matter: What’s important is that the surface moves the appropriate amount. Unfortunately, a full size airplane flies over the field during a portion of the mixing discussion, and while lasts for a few seconds, it's fairly noisy.
The Aileron/Rudder Mix demonstration is the best display of adverse yaw I’ve seen. Mike uses the mini Pike from RCA’s previous DVD and an excellent pair of graphics to show a coordinated turn vs. adverse yaw. The scene is slightly hampered by some vignetting in the upper left and lower right corners of the screen.
Camber amounts differ from airfoil to airfoil. Mike explains how to find the optimum amount of camber for a particular airfoil. This scene also has a few seconds of noise from a full size helicopter.
@2295605
Camber to elevator mix is covered next. There is a term used that some newcomers won’t be familiar with: “snap flap”, a common term used by slope racing pilots and modelers flying F3B that means adding camber when the elevator is moved.
!!What mode are you in?
Flight modes and the ability to change settings based on flight modes are a real advantage, and modern computer radios have made this possible. When you can define certain trims mixes, or throws in a particular flight mode, it allows you to tune your plane for each mode. Mike describes the flight modes he uses, and more importantly, explains why he uses them. There is some vignetting in this scene also.
@2295604
!!Transmitter Feel
Something not normally discussed in aircraft setup is the way the transmitter feels in your hands and the way thspring tension and stick length affect flight performance, and The Touch covers just that. Stick length is largely dependent on whether you use your thumb or thumb and index finger on the sticks to fly the plane.
With our plane set up as best we can on the ground, we now get into flying the plane and making adjustments on its initial settings. This of course starts with launching the plane, which is a direct reflection on tow hook placement. There is plenty of excellent information in this scene, and I learned several new things from this section.
!!Launch Camber, Launch Clinic and Launch Details
Launch Camber, Launch Clinic and Launch Details are where the proverbial rubber meets the road, or in this case, where the sailplane meets the tow line. There are plenty of great tips concerning launch settings, where to hold onto the plane, getting maximum launch height and more.
The obvious next discussion is the zoom. I’ve heard another multi-time world champion state: “He who launches highest, wins.” It’s amazing how the advantage of launching the highest takes a load off of the pilot's mind. Let’s say we have a sink rate of 100ft/min and we launch to 700 feet. In calm air we are on the ground 7 minutes. If you launch 50’ higher than the next person, you have an extra 30 seconds to find lift. 50 feet doesn’t sound like much, but in a task where you will have to find lift to meet the task time, the additional 30 seconds can make or break the round. You can gain that extra height by applying a number of different techniques that are discussed in this scene. Knowing when to start the zoom, when to end the zoom, camber settings and more are covered.
!!Looking for a good winch
@2295611
As a beginner, my first experience with using a winch resulted in a catastrophic disaster to a very nice sailplane. I’ve heard many new pilots state that they are scared of using a winch. The information covered here conveys some of the dos and don'ts of winching.
@2295603
Making consistent contest-winning landings has nothing to do with luck; It’s more about preparation and applying a few simple techniques. This scene will tell you what you need to know and do to get maximum points in the landing zone. Mike explains the “20 second landing” and the whys and hows of consistent landings. Even when he tries to display a bad landing, he’s so tuned to landing the same way time after time that he has to fly an additional landing sequence to show the wrong way to land. There is more vignetting in this scene.
!!Demos please
@2295607
The DVD finishes up with demos in calm and windy conditions. Knowing how your plane responds to lift in different conditions will allows you to maximize air time. How do you trim your plane in windy conditions? Is it different than flying in fairly calm conditions? Do you change your CG for calm settings vs. windy conditions? What camber setting do you use for minimum sink? All of these questions and more are answered here.
There is plenty of information contained on the DVD that I didn’t discuss and the above doesn’t cover all of the great tips within the sections I did cover. You’ll want to watch it several time to pick up all of the nuances shown.
!!A few YouTube tidbits
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coWC95Yq3ew>Mike flying Ceres in high wind</a>
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDmYwbMxZo>Mike describing Zoom launch timing</a>
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0SqTPv3PQ>Mike talking about tight elevator linkages</a>
!Conclusion
This DVD is a must if you are a contest flyer. If you are a sport flyer, you will gain invaluable information from a world class pilot, something you probably can’t get from your normal flying buddies. But anyone interested in increasing his or her knowledge of RC soaring will benefit from it.
*Pluses:
*Excellent information from a contest winning pilot
*Clear, understandable graphics and demonstrations
*Entertaining
*Minuses:
*Ambient noise in a few scenes disrupt your concentration
*Vignetting in a couple of scenes
!Introduction
| spec2
|
| @2295600
|> <b>Venue:</b> |< North America
|> <b>Media:</b> |< High Quality DVR
|> <b>Format:</b> |< DVD from Digital Master
|> <b>Packaging:</b> |< Standard DVD Case w/Color Artwork
|> <b>Run Time</b> |< ~ 1 Hour 50 minutes
|> <b>Price:</b> |< $24.95
|> <b>Manufacturer:</b> | <a href=http://www.radiocarbonart.com>Radio Carbon Art</a>
|> <b>Available From:</b> | <a href=http://www.radiocarbonart.com>Radio Carbon Art</a> and selected dealers
Pilots flying all types of sailplanes and of varying skill levels will enjoy this DVD. The new series is titled <i>Masters Class With Mike Smith</i>, and the education is just beginning! Planned are more DVDs with other expert pilots giving their thoughts and tips on becoming a Master RC Soaring Pilot!
!Kit Contents
The DVD is nicely packaged with a full color label and standard DVD case. In my review of RCA’s previous DVD, I made mention of education. Fittingly, this DVD is an actual soaring master class with Mike Smith. I’ve been informed that this DVD is first of the Master Class series, and we can expect many more How-To DVDs with other Master class flyers. Personally, I can’t wait!
Viewing Requirements:
• The DVD is an "All Region" DVD and should play on most current computers and DVD players.
@2295610:
!Getting Started:
Hypothetically, let’s say you were an up-and-coming sailplane pilot in your local club. After getting beaten month after month, would you start to ask the club champion questions about his setup, launch technique and thermal search patterns. You practice as often as you can and begin winning as much as the club champion. After traveling to a few contests and investing considerable time and energy to better yourself you go to the Nationals in Muncie or try out for one of the various “teams” the US in the World Soaring contest and find that there are still better flyers than yourself. You’d like to continue your flying education, but lack the time and resources. Now what do you do?
Again hypothetically, there is no sailplane club within an hour or two of your local flying field. You fly with 3-4 other guys who like to fly sailplanes but don’t want to compete. You want to become a better pilot and someday hope to fly in contests but you really don’t know how to progress. How do you get world-class instruction when there is no place locally to get help?
Paul Naton of Radio Carbon Art has done exactly the above. Paul spent three days with multi-champion Mike Smith, and although no one can tell you everything they know about soaring in a 2-hour DVD, together they explain many of the “secrets of a champion.” To give you some sense of Mike’s accomplishments, here’s an excerpt from an email he returned to me when I asked him about his modeling experience along with major wins and placings:
@2295601
Here’s his response:
<i>I began modeling with my father and brother in 1974 with a single channel Nomad glider in Alaska, then moved to CA in 1976. I flew the Windward, and a Wanderer, then Olympic II's, then a modified Aquila. I started winning contests flying with the North County Clouds, and the Torrey Pines Gulls. I started competing with the Southern California Soaring Clubs Contests (SC squared) in the 80's, and I won the year end trophy in 1997 or '98.
I started flying F3B back in the early '80s and participated in my first ever team selection contest in Joliet, Illinois with Mark Smith in 1982.
I flew only regional contests for many years, and ventured up to Visalia for the Fall Soaring Festival. I won that contest in 2000 in think, then again in 2006. I have flown at the Visalia contest almost every year since 2000. I attended my first AMA Nationals in Muncie in 2004, and Won the Unlimited class gliders, and placed second in Hand Launch Glider. I returned in 2006 and won all classes that I entered: F3B, Hand Launch, and Unlimited gliders. I was member of the 2003 US F3B team as a helper in Germany, then placed 3rd in 2004 for a place on the 2005 F3B team with Joe Wurts, and Gordon Jennings. The team placed 3rd and stood on the podium. I placed 8th at those World Champs in Lappeenranta Finland behind Joe in 7th. I was 3rd place again in 2006 and earned a spot on the 2007 F3B team with Tom Kiesling, and Aaron Valdes. I placed 8th again at this World Championships in Emmen, Switzerland, and the team came in 3rd again. This year, I won the team selection contest and will go to the World Championships for a 3rd time. It will be held in Brno, Czech Republic.
I won the first ever World Soaring Masters contest in 2006 in Muncie Indiana, and came in 4th in my attempt to repeat the win in 2008.
I really welcomed the opportunity to show what I know, and how I do things regarding setting up and flying Radio Controlled gliders for the DVD from RCA. I hope that at least a few people get something from my approach to flying that helps them enjoy this hobby even more than they might already.”</i>
!Chapters
What juicy tidbits of wisdom does Mike give us? Let’s look at the chapters (scenes) and subjects: (Note, there are a considerable number of chapter and subjects within each chapter. The list is long. I’ll only cover a portion of the chapters in this review. There is simply too much good information in the DVD and I couldn’t possibly cover them all in this review.
Chapter one is entitled Beginning, Master Class Soaring with Mike Smith.
*The meat of this feast starts with chapter two:
*Plane Setup
*CG
*Programming Setup
*Perfect Elevator Feel
*Aileron/Flap Throws
*Differential
*Flap/aileron Mix
*Aileron to Rudder Mix
*Camber Controls
*Flight Modes
*The Touch
*Tow Hook
*Launch Camber
*Launch Clinic
*Launch Details
*The Zoom
*Winch Controls
*Landings
*Landing Errors
*Approach Timing
*Bad landings
*Flying Demo Calm
*Flying Demo Windy
!CG and Towhook Placement
@2295609
Mike starts with the one of the most used procedures in modeling: The TLAR approach: “That Looks About Right”. If you’ve been modeling any length of time, you’ll understand that in general if it looks right, it usually is.
When flying any aircraft for the first time, the most important test or check before flying is to find the center of gravity. Mike uses the TLAR approach to define the CG on the test model (there is a <i>Performance Tuning</i> DVD for more specific information on CG setting). Tow hook placement is also found using the TLAR approach. Whether you agree with the controversial Dive Test or not, it displays dynamic balance instead of static balance; as the plane speeds up, the elevator increases in authority. Mike recommends a neutral to slightly positive pull out during the Dive Test, and I’m sure most experts would agree with that setting.
!!Camber, Mixes and Throws
Mike covers setting up the throws for each flying surface and mixing one surface to another. He also makes an important statement: it doesn’t matter what number the transmitter shows, what matters is that the surfaces move the required amount. For example, if you want 50% differential on the ailerons and you have 1” up and ½” down throw, but your transmitter displays something other than 50%, it doesn’t matter: What’s important is that the surface moves the appropriate amount. Unfortunately, a full size airplane flies over the field during a portion of the mixing discussion, and while lasts for a few seconds, it's fairly noisy.
The Aileron/Rudder Mix demonstration is the best display of adverse yaw I’ve seen. Mike uses the mini Pike from RCA’s previous DVD and an excellent pair of graphics to show a coordinated turn vs. adverse yaw. The scene is slightly hampered by some vignetting in the upper left and lower right corners of the screen.
Camber amounts differ from airfoil to airfoil. Mike explains how to find the optimum amount of camber for a particular airfoil. This scene also has a few seconds of noise from a full size helicopter.
@2295605
Camber to elevator mix is covered next. There is a term used that some newcomers won’t be familiar with: “snap flap”, a common term used by slope racing pilots and modelers flying F3B that means adding camber when the elevator is moved.
!!What mode are you in?
Flight modes and the ability to change settings based on flight modes are a real advantage, and modern computer radios have made this possible. When you can define certain trims mixes, or throws in a particular flight mode, it allows you to tune your plane for each mode. Mike describes the flight modes he uses, and more importantly, explains why he uses them. There is some vignetting in this scene also.
@2295604
!!Transmitter Feel
Something not normally discussed in aircraft setup is the way the transmitter feels in your hands and the way thspring tension and stick length affect flight performance, and The Touch covers just that. Stick length is largely dependent on whether you use your thumb or thumb and index finger on the sticks to fly the plane.
With our plane set up as best we can on the ground, we now get into flying the plane and making adjustments on its initial settings. This of course starts with launching the plane, which is a direct reflection on tow hook placement. There is plenty of excellent information in this scene, and I learned several new things from this section.
!!Launch Camber, Launch Clinic and Launch Details
Launch Camber, Launch Clinic and Launch Details are where the proverbial rubber meets the road, or in this case, where the sailplane meets the tow line. There are plenty of great tips concerning launch settings, where to hold onto the plane, getting maximum launch height and more.
The obvious next discussion is the zoom. I’ve heard another multi-time world champion state: “He who launches highest, wins.” It’s amazing how the advantage of launching the highest takes a load off of the pilot's mind. Let’s say we have a sink rate of 100ft/min and we launch to 700 feet. In calm air we are on the ground 7 minutes. If you launch 50’ higher than the next person, you have an extra 30 seconds to find lift. 50 feet doesn’t sound like much, but in a task where you will have to find lift to meet the task time, the additional 30 seconds can make or break the round. You can gain that extra height by applying a number of different techniques that are discussed in this scene. Knowing when to start the zoom, when to end the zoom, camber settings and more are covered.
!!Looking for a good winch
@2295611
As a beginner, my first experience with using a winch resulted in a catastrophic disaster to a very nice sailplane. I’ve heard many new pilots state that they are scared of using a winch. The information covered here conveys some of the dos and don'ts of winching.
@2295603
Making consistent contest-winning landings has nothing to do with luck; It’s more about preparation and applying a few simple techniques. This scene will tell you what you need to know and do to get maximum points in the landing zone. Mike explains the “20 second landing” and the whys and hows of consistent landings. Even when he tries to display a bad landing, he’s so tuned to landing the same way time after time that he has to fly an additional landing sequence to show the wrong way to land. There is more vignetting in this scene.
!!Demos please
@2295607
The DVD finishes up with demos in calm and windy conditions. Knowing how your plane responds to lift in different conditions will allows you to maximize air time. How do you trim your plane in windy conditions? Is it different than flying in fairly calm conditions? Do you change your CG for calm settings vs. windy conditions? What camber setting do you use for minimum sink? All of these questions and more are answered here.
There is plenty of information contained on the DVD that I didn’t discuss and the above doesn’t cover all of the great tips within the sections I did cover. You’ll want to watch it several time to pick up all of the nuances shown.
!!A few YouTube tidbits
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coWC95Yq3ew>Mike flying Ceres in high wind</a>
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDmYwbMxZo>Mike describing Zoom launch timing</a>
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0SqTPv3PQ>Mike talking about tight elevator linkages</a>
!Conclusion
This DVD is a must if you are a contest flyer. If you are a sport flyer, you will gain invaluable information from a world class pilot, something you probably can’t get from your normal flying buddies. But anyone interested in increasing his or her knowledge of RC soaring will benefit from it.
*Pluses:
*Excellent information from a contest winning pilot
*Clear, understandable graphics and demonstrations
*Entertaining
*Minuses:
*Ambient noise in a few scenes disrupt your concentration
*Vignetting in a couple of scenes