OLYII or III?

[ljasmann]

I am contemplating a RES build and would like some feedback.... I have narrowed my options down to an OLY II or an OLY III. My experience is one year flying, power and on a borrowed GL and Tower Vista. I completed my own GL about 2 months ago and have flown it once before bad weather set in and really ended glider flying for the winter.

I have about 5 kit builds of experience behind me and a fair amount of repair work as well. My plan is to start the summer flying the GL (as well as some powered planes that are not a part of this conversation), and then move up to something a bit more challenging in the glider department.

I fly with a club that is mostly power flyers.. but on Sunday mornings we set up a winch for gliders for several hours.. Other than that, you need a powered plane to fly. The field is surrounded by fairly high trees, about 600' long by about 300' wide. The thermals tend to be fairly light, even in midsummer, so I need a plane that will to very will in light thermals. When we have winds, they tend to be gusty, so I need stability, and the ability to penetrate well, sometimes on very short notice.

I am also considering electrifying the model in order to get more flying in when we can't set up the winch or a high start.

So:

1. OLY II or OLY III
2. Should I put a motor on the front, if so, what type.
3.. How much will the extra weight diminish my ability to utilize light thermals?

Any advice would be appreciated.

L. Jasmann

[schrederman]

You can probably handle the Oly III build. The performance difference is worth the effort. Motor is your chouce, but the extra weight/drag does affect performance. I've built Ray's kits and find them to be very nice.

Have fun...

Jack

[scaflock]

If it were my choice with those field parameters, I'd go with the Oly III and use a smaller LiPo pack to keep the weight down. It would still give you enough juice for a couple good launches to thermal height. An E-flight power25 out-runner with a folding prop system would be a good choice for an OLY III. I use that system on my Paragon-E and it hauls it up with plenty of power to spare.

Jeff

[merlinmurph]

Your choice should probably be Oly IIS or Oly III.

[FrogChief]

If you've built 5 kits that means you've got good hands. Go for the OLY III. She's a big and beautiful bird! *Far superior performance when compared to an OLY II or even OLY II-S.

-Sean


*within nominal flight envelope, for TD tasks.

[SaltyOne]

I bought an Oly ??? at my LHS for $50. The LHS says it is one of the original Oly's with 99" wingspan. Would this be equivalent to anything being discussed in this thread?

George

[FrogChief]

I bought an Oly ??? at my LHS for $50. The LHS says it is one of the original Oly's with 99" wingspan. Would this be equivalent to anything being discussed in this thread?

George


Sounds like the original Airtronics Olympic 99", the precursor to the Airtronics Olympic II.

The Olympic II-S and Olympic III are new designs from Ray Hayes at Skybench Aerotech: http://www.skybench.com/index.html?http://www.skybench.com/home.html

[wsnowfall]

id go with oly 3, and electricy it. a small field and high tree is going to be tight. electric would provide some safety factor and get you out of trouble.

[ljasmann]

Thanks for all the good advice. I will definitely go with the OLY III. Up till now, I have mostly flown planes with glow engines.. not much experience with electrics.

What type of motor size and power would work well in the OLY III? I would like to have enough power to get the plane up to altitude reasonably fast .. and have enough battery power to get at least 2 or 3 ascents on one battery charge if possible. On the other hand, it would be good if I could go with a light battery on days when the thermals are very light...

I am particularly concerned that I get the right combination of motor, prop, ESC and batteries.. and something that will fit well in the nose of the plane..

Larry

[Riserflier]

Larry,
Please do not besmirch, defile, sully or otherwise tarnish the heritage of the Oly II by making it electric. Go for the heritage of the original, whether an Airtronics or Skybench kit. Motors and props and such are for quasi-pilots that are either too lazy or not motivated to develop their skills do the right thing. Any jamoke can throw the throttle to full blast to launch or escape a flying challenge.

Do you fly sailplanes for the thrill of accomplishment or the crutch of thrust?

[schrederman]

Well said, Riserflier...:D...:p...:D We don't need no steeenking propellers!

Jack

[Joe Minton]

Riserflier:
Watch yer mouth boy ;o) -- Ed Slobod (R.I.P.) converted most of his sailplanes to electric launch. I only saw him fly off a string a couple of times in the last five or six years of his life.
Ed's attitude was that one should have fun flying and that it was easier and therefore more fun to use a motor to launch sailplanes. He encouraged others to do the same.

I converted my Oly II to electric launch out of frustration with field and launch opportunities. I flew that plane more in the couple of weeks after conversion than I had in the previous year. I'll never build another thermal sailplane.

Riserflier:
An E-Flite Power 25 motor, 13x7 folding prop and a Thunder Power 3S1P "Power Pro" battery will give your Oly III an excellent climb rate and a couple of thousand feet of climb power.
If you'd like more details or alternatives, let me know.

Joe

[Joe Minton]

schrederman:

Oh, I've gone and done it now! I was gonna ask you a couple of questions about your Sky Bird --- now I'm not sure you'll talk to me.

Seriously now, I used to live in New Mexico. If I still did, I might not need electric motors either. However, I am not a contest flier and I live in Southern California; I don't care about rules and I don't have much room.
I can launch and land my Oly, Omega Poly or the Sky Bird off a soccer pitch with help of a reasonably powerful motor. I can choose to remain pure or I can fly -- I think I'll fly.

Joe

[scaflock]

Riserflier:
An E-Flite POwer 25 motor, 13x7 folding prop and a Thunder Power 3S1P "Power Pro" battery will give your Oly III an excellent climb rate and a couple of thousand feet of climb power.
If you'd like more details or alternatives, let me know.

Joe


There seems to be an echo in here, I could have sworn I had mentioned the same motor earlier. oh yeah... I did. ;)

[atmosteve]

I reckon my OlyIII would be a real PITA with a brushless and a two bladed cheater up front, it would never want to come down even with the little extra weight!

If I had the choice, and was in your position Larry, I would electrify an OlyII, even though you seem set on a powered OlyIII.

If your elbow room is 600x300', and you DO get thermals no matter how light and you do ok in catching them then I wouldn't power your olyIII, it'll go up at the crack of a possum fart and will easily histart and land in an area that small.

Either way, you won't go wrong, just remember the II version will be tougher and more resistant to damage and thats more important if you are somewhat new to sailplanes.

[FrogChief]

Riserflier:
Watch yer mouth boy ;o) -- Ed Slobod (R.I.P.) converted most of his sailplanes to electric launch. I only saw him fly off a string a couple of times in the last five or six years of his life.
Ed's attitude was that one should have fun flying and that it was easier and therefore more fun to use a motor to launch sailplanes. He encouraged others to do the same.

I converted my Oly II to electric launch out of frustration with field and launch opportunities. I flew that plane more in the couple of weeks after conversion than I had in the previous year. I'll never build another thermal sailplane.

Riserflier:
An E-Flite Power 25 motor, 13x7 folding prop and a Thunder Power 3S1P "Power Pro" battery will give your Oly III an excellent climb rate and a couple of thousand feet of climb power.
If you'd like more details or alternatives, let me know.

Joe


INTERLOPER!!!!! :eek: :mad:


;) :D

[Joe Minton]

scaflock:

Wasn't aware that you had; they musta made two of them. LOL

I mentioned the Power 25 for a couple of reasons: They are readily available. It is easy to get parts for them. They are powerful and effiecient motors.

There are other choices. I use an MPJet 28/20-7D in the Oly and Cox Dust Devil. It is very close to the E-Flite 25 which wasn't available when I bought the MPJet. The Hyperion HP-Z3025-10 is the best of the three and can, for our purposes, be pushed to over 1000 Watts. This is the motor I'll use in the Sky Bird. It'll deliver over 140 ounces of thrust with four cells and a 14x7 prop -- good enough ;o)

Joe

[Joe Minton]

FrogChief:

Whoops, you're right. I got carried away and forgot this was the "Thermal" forum. I'll butt out.

It's just that I really love hunting for thermals and the craft we build to do so. I don't care much about how I get mine up high enough to start searching (the lower, the tougher it gets) I just want the opportunity. For many of us, electric-launch is the best and most reasonable way to get in the air.

I often take mine up, fold the prop and fly as though there is no motor; find lift or sink. It can still be challanging but not as dangerous for the model; I don't have to sometimes land out in the snakey weeds or in a tree.

Its all fun --
Joe

PS: I only added 4.5 ounces converting my OlyII.

[Ray Hayes]

I am contemplating a RES build and would like some feedback.... I have narrowed my options down to an OLY II or an OLY III. My experience is one year flying, power and on a borrowed GL and Tower Vista. I completed my own GL about 2 months ago and have flown it once before bad weather set in and really ended glider flying for the winter.

I have about 5 kit builds of experience behind me and a fair amount of repair work as well. My plan is to start the summer flying the GL (as well as some powered planes that are not a part of this conversation), and then move up to something a bit more challenging in the glider department.

I fly with a club that is mostly power flyers.. but on Sunday mornings we set up a winch for gliders for several hours.. Other than that, you need a powered plane to fly. The field is surrounded by fairly high trees, about 600' long by about 300' wide. The thermals tend to be fairly light, even in midsummer, so I need a plane that will to very will in light thermals. When we have winds, they tend to be gusty, so I need stability, and the ability to penetrate well, sometimes on very short notice.

I am also considering electrifying the model in order to get more flying in when we can't set up the winch or a high start.

So:

1. OLY II or OLY III
2. Should I put a motor on the front, if so, what type.
3.. How much will the extra weight diminish my ability to utilize light thermals?

Any advice would be appreciated.

L. Jasmann


I receive e mails pretty much asking the same questions. The first concern I have is flight skill. If a pilot is relatively new to RC, I suggest the OLY ll, as seen on my web site. The wing is held down with rubber bands and this means the wing can rotate and or pop off, loosing inertia during rough landings. The flat bottom airfoil keeps the speed slow, this is another advantage for new pilots. The OLY ll has a huge amount of wing area that makes it a very good flyer and thermals easily ( when you put it in lift ).

The next step up is the OLY ll S, same as the OLY ll, but with an airfoil that will fly slow or fast enough to penetrate winds up to 15 mph without adding ballast. The OLY ll S wings are held down with rubber bands too. The basic difference in construction is the OLY ll has a simple open bay wing design and the OLY ll S has d-tube sheeting from root to tip. A little more involved construction and a little more involved re-construction ( repairs ).

The OLY ll S has laser cut balsa sheet tail feathers that make construction very quick and very strong.

The third step really depends on flying skills, landing skills ( it is easier to land a 100 incher than a 132 incher safely ) and building skills. I.E., a slight twist in a 100" wing can ruin a good sailplane's performance ( although, beginners probably won't notice ), a twist in a 132" wing can cause all kinds of problems for the new guy.

Landing a 132 incher upside down is very risky business if your pilot skill level is not up to it.

Puting an electric motor on a glider is up to the individual and is a good way to learn left from right. The e power sailplane for a pilot without a winch or flying from a very small field eliminates waiting for someone else to get them launched.

As far as adding weight to any of the OLY line up with the addition of
e-power, it simply is not an issue. Today's Lipos and motors are very light weight.

In my view, the next logical step up for a new pilot from a Gentle Lady
is the OLY ll S. But, new guys can learn the stick real fast, especially the young, so going from 78" to 132" may work ... if your good.

It's all Good ...

Ray
Sky Bench
http://www.skybench.com

[ljasmann]

I really appreciate all of the good advice... Will chew on it and make up my mind in the next couple of weeks.

The real truth of the matter is that I am running out of building projects and in the winter, that is not a good thing! I am going to build something!

Larry

[FrogChief]

I really appreciate all of the good advice... Will chew on it and make up my mind in the next couple of weeks.

The real truth of the matter is that I am running out of building projects and in the winter, that is not a good thing! I am going to build something!

Larry


Larry,

Ray had good advice. If you feel confident enough to pilot a big airplane, the OLY III will be a great ship.


Joe,

Psst...don't tell any of my friends on here...but sometimes I secretly dream of not having to launch my planes with a winch or highstart too! However I then wake up and lash myself 40 times across the back to beat the sinful thought out of me...

Being a sailplane "purist" is hard sometimes... :o :p

[rabidrue1]

I have both a bird of time a/r/f and a paragone that I use E flite 25 out runners in,when I am at a field where I can use a high start or winch thats what I use for them.My nearest field to me for high start or winch is 25-30 miles from home, I have the 2100ma t/p unless the wind shifts around when I try to to use the high start at the local schoolyard,I have to stand in the swamp area to launch and I don't like wet feet.I have the 2100 ma t/p motor battery on the c/g and and use an r/x battery for the servos.When I get the chance to fly from a high start or winch I just take off the prop and use the motor for nose weight.Works for me.

[lincoln]

Riserflier:
snip
I'll never build another thermal sailplane.

Joe
You wrote it, not me. I might also point out that setting up the aircraft is a lot easier without the motor. And I've flown my Ava off a ballfield by tying a rope to the towhook, holding the rope and the wingtip in my hand, and spinning around dlg style, with a few extra turns. I'm sure with a bit more practice, and a good strong building job, this would be viable, but I chicken out when I'm spinning fast enough for maybe 40 feet. The wing is used only to guide, the real stress is on the rope. And it's a lot of stress, don't do this if you have a bum shoulder. Well, probably you wouldn't want to do this all the time! I mostly have flown the Ava with a winch or high start.

As far as which glider, think seriously about your experience with gliders. The Oly 2 is VERY easy to fly. It's reasonably sturdy as well. It's not terribly happy in the wind, though it helps to fill it with rocks. Obviously, if wind is a big problem, the Oly 3 or Oly 2S are going to deal with it better, but they will not be as easy to fly as the Oly 2. If you want a larger trainer, the Paragon has an excellent reputation, but it won't be fast either. Learning to catch thermals can take a while. The more brain power you have left over from flying the glider, the faster you will learn. Or at least that's what I'd expect.

[AndyTheLegend]

Hmm, I was just looking at building something too.... I've "built" a BoT ARF to electric, Stryker, Mini Ultra Stick, and a Radian. Well, flown at least. Some of them don't even count as builds.. :rolleyes: I've also been flying for a year now too. Now I'm hooked on chasing thermals :p . I know bigger definitely flies better. How hard is the OLY III? IIs?

Andy - 13 yrs old

[Riserflier]

Andy The Legend (and all others who care to debate power vs. soaring):

You have chosen a big name to recognize yourself. Please, make up your mind about the pros and cons of powered flight vs. pure sailplanes.

Anyone can launch with power. Anyone can get out of problems with power. Anyone can get back to the field with power.

The best of pilots know themselves; know their plane; read the weather; maximize their flight plans; stay alert to exploit changes and minimize risk while maximizing performance.

Relative to sailplanes and soaring, power sucks the excellence from flight.

Quote me... go ahead, quote me. Prove me wrong. I dare anyone.

[lincoln]

While I agree that power is a temptation, if you can resist it you can do some good thermal soaring with an electric launch to start. Maybe use one of those free flight timers to control the launch??? On the other hand, if you have control over the motor, low rpms make for a good brake/spoiler.

[Libelle201B]

Andy The Legend (and all others who care to debate power vs. soaring):

You have chosen a big name to recognize yourself. Please, make up your mind about the pros and cons of powered flight vs. pure sailplanes.

Anyone can launch with power. Anyone can get out of problems with power. Anyone can get back to the field with power.

The best of pilots know themselves; know their plane; read the weather; maximize their flight plans; stay alert to exploit changes and minimize risk while maximizing performance.

Relative to sailplanes and soaring, power sucks the excellence from flight.

Quote me... go ahead, quote me. Prove me wrong. I dare anyone.
I myself have pondered buying an electric sailplane for simple convenience. About a decade or so ago all of the open areas around here started to disappear due to development, hence there is no place to launch with a highstart or winch. I am quite fortunate in that we have an excellent club site about an hours drive away. But I sure would like to be able from time to time to drive a few blocks away and launch with an electric motor. I really don't think I would be cheating or demeaning the sport in any way if I choose to launch this way.

[AndyTheLegend]

Andy The Legend (and all others who care to debate power vs. soaring):

You have chosen a big name to recognize yourself. Please, make up your mind about the pros and cons of powered flight vs. pure sailplanes.

Anyone can launch with power. Anyone can get out of problems with power. Anyone can get back to the field with power.

The best of pilots know themselves; know their plane; read the weather; maximize their flight plans; stay alert to exploit changes and minimize risk while maximizing performance.

Relative to sailplanes and soaring, power sucks the excellence from flight.

Quote me... go ahead, quote me. Prove me wrong. I dare anyone.

I agree with you, somewhat. I have seen my friends speck out their unpowered planes off a winch or high start. I know how hard and yet rewarding it probably is. I fly to have fun though. A winch or high start isn't always there for me to use. Call us cheaters, but we fly to have fun. We still have the same goals as you. Catch a thermal and rise without a running motor.

As a matter of fact, I came to this thread in search of possibly my first un powered plane. I want to be able to maybe compete in Orlando sometime. I think it would be fun.

Andy

[efowlerpreston]

As a satisfied owner of an electrified Oly III, I have been reluctant to respond to this thread. Here goes:

I consider myself a lone wolf (and maybe intermediate) flyer. I did not find the Oly III build hard, but it took longer than I expected. Much more sanding than I anticipated. If I had to chose between the Oly IIS and Oly III, I would go for the larger wing. As noted by others, you need to be willing to take the time and effort of building a straight wing. If this is a concern, go with the Oly IIS. However, this should be a concern of whatever plane you buy.

Although you can fly from a small field, landing takes some space. You will need flaps or spoilers. I chose flaps in order to play with camber. My decision has saved my plane twice in big thermals.

Although the motor allows you to go around, I rarely use this option. Once the plane gets down low, I believe it is safer to land than climb, since the Oly III is large and its flight characteristics change when under power. Plus, it helps me improve my landing skills.

I chose to electrify my Oly III in order to fly anytime, anywhere. I was not interested in competition, but only maximizing my flying time and improving my skills. The Oly III can fly in winds where my Paragon cannot. I do not have acess to a winch or nearby glider club, so having a "pure" glider would mean less flying time. Furthermore, having an engine allows me to fly and coexist at the local power club. I launch during a break in the action, fly away from the pattern, and only come back to the field to land. In case of an emergency on the field, I can keep from landing until it's safe.

The weight of the power system is not an issue with the Oly III. You can fly for hours with a 2200 3S lipo. I typically fly for a hour with 2-3 climbs to 1000 feet on an average day.

The skybench kits are great. If in doubt, get both.

[Libelle201B]

I agree with you, somewhat. I have seen my friends speck out their unpowered planes off a winch or high start. I know how hard and yet rewarding it probably is. I fly to have fun though. A winch or high start isn't always there for me to use. Call us cheaters, but we fly to have fun. We still have the same goals as you. Catch a thermal and rise without a running motor.

As a matter of fact, I came to this thread in search of possibly my first un powered plane. I want to be able to maybe compete in Orlando sometime. I think it would be fun.

Andy Andy, you have a nice hill there and I am sure enough area to at least use a short hi start. (up-start) They arnt all that expensive and will easily give you the altitude you need to head out away from the hill in search of lift. I fly at the Pompano land fill north of you. I simply use the slope if there is enough breeze to stay up and venture out when I see signs of lift ie buzzards or gulls circling or a lull or shift in the wind direction. If you want to practice to start competing it would be best to use power ONLY to reach hi start/winch altitude and not use it again untill your next launch. The Orlando Buzzards are a great club and I'm sure you would really enjoy attending one of their competitions.

[Dennis Everett]

Airtronics made a electric oly 650 , that might be a good choice also ,( if you can find one ) i have a poly sergio , 83 in span , hacker b 20L ,12x6 folder , 1200 3 cell lipo , about 18 oz rtf , i can fly for a hour ,when i recharge takes 500 - 600 mah , the good thing about the electric glider is you dont need a winch or highstart , i just got a old oly 2 , only flown it once ,i have a old original paragon kit on the shelf , back in 1984 i flew a modified oly 2 ( used a eppler 193 airfoil )to 2 ama records , 8 hrs 10 minutes...Dennis

[AndyTheLegend]

Andy, you have a nice hill there and I am sure enough area to at least use a short hi start. (up-start) They arnt all that expensive and will easily give you the altitude you need to head out away from the hill in search of lift. I fly at the Pompano land fill north of you. I simply use the slope if there is enough breeze to stay up and venture out when I see signs of lift ie buzzards or gulls circling or a lull or shift in the wind direction. If you want to practice to start competing it would be best to use power ONLY to reach hi start/winch altitude and not use it again untill your next launch. The Orlando Buzzards are a great club and I'm sure you would really enjoy attending one of their competitions.

Oh cool, cool, have you ever been to Vista View? Yes, we definitely have enough room. Have you flown/built the Oly IIs? Yea, that's where I'd go to compete.

Andy

[lincoln]

I have never seen an electric version of the Oly 650. I have seen an Oly 650 version for glo and would probably be an easy conversion. I've also seen the Eclipse, which is NOT an Oly 650 version. The airfoil looks like it ought to be faster. It's set up for a geared 05 system (provided) which makes the nose kind of blunt. However, back when everyone still used nicads, lots of guys in our club liked them. Still, I think an electrified Oly 2 or 2S would be a better flier.

[Libelle201B]

Oh cool, cool, have you ever been to Vista View? Yes, we definitely have enough room. Have you flown/built the Oly IIs? Yea, that's where I'd go to compete.

Andy Andy, I have heard about Vista View and if I am not mistaken a few of our members may have flown there. It is a bit far south for me to travel but maybe one day I will give it a go. I have not built an Oly ll or lll but I have built many like them over the years. Years ago you wouldn't have had to travel to far to compete in south FL, unfortunately times have changed. Check the FSS web site and you may find a site like Punta Gorda that is closer than Orlando. In the end though, the Buzzards are probably the most active competition club this half of FL.
Happy Soaring:)

[AndyTheLegend]

Andy, I have heard about Vista View and if I am not mistaken a few of our members may have flown there. It is a bit far south for me to travel but maybe one day I will give it a go. I have not built an Oly ll or lll but I have built many like them over the years. Years ago you wouldn't have had to travel to far to compete in south FL, unfortunately times have changed. Check the FSS web site and you may find a site like Punta Gorda that is closer than Orlando. In the end though, the Buzzards are probably the most active competition club this half of FL.
Happy Soaring:)

Yea, Miami Mike and Jamie are usually out every weekend. The Buzzards do seem to be the way to go. What kind of wind does the Oly IIS penetrate in?

Andy

[Wylie Shaw]

Yea, Miami Mike and Jamie are usually out every weekend. The Buzzards do seem to be the way to go. What kind of wind does the Oly IIS penetrate in?

Andy


The Oly IIs, III (and all of Ray Hayes Bird series and others) utilize the S3014, You will not have to worry about wind with these even unballasted in that they will penetrate very well indeed, Charlie Richardson used it on one of his Renegade's (Slope Racer). He ballasted em up so that they would fly faster. Keep it light for Thermals and when you want to scoot some where else just put the nose down and it'll scoot, wind what stinkin wind....... it laughs in the face of da wind.....



Best Regards,


Wylie Shaw

[smitty14]

Glad to hear that. I just ordered the IIS and I live in N central Kansas. We get wind sometimes...

[Texas Buzzard]

Ed Slobod of RCMODLER - EH?
Ed Slobod (R.I.P.) converted most of his sailplanes to electric launch. I only saw him fly off a string a couple of times in the last five or six years of his life.
Ed's attitude was that one should have fun flying and that it was easier and therefore more fun to use a motor to launch sailplanes. He encouraged others to do the same.

He used to conclude his article with, " HOWSZATT"? He is an old timer.

[TheNightowl]

You know, the one thing I haven't seen mentioned on here is the option to make the ship optional. You could bash the front end to allow you to change out whether you have a motor or a weighted nose cone, or choose the option of a removable power pod mounted above the wing. I've seen a couple of power pods that were designed to be held on by the same rubber bands that held the wing on. Sig used to have one they recommended for powering their Riser. Now, it was originally designed with wet fuel in mind, but if you're comfortable with bashing the front end of your model to add an electric motor, bashing the pod instead shouldn't be any problem.

Just figuring, with a combo, you have the best of both worlds.

Edited to add, incidentally, you COULD build two fuselages for the same wing(s). One electric, one not. Of course, I'm a scratchbuilder, not a "kit man," so making a second fuselage for me is really not something I'd give a second thought about doing. I'd just do it.
Nightowl

[dwells]

I got into this hobby because of the fact that sailplanes have no motor. The fact that sailplanes are lauched by tow of various and sundry. The whole idea of silent, powerless flight is deminished by the application of a motor. When I look at the beautiful slender lines of the fuse and the majestic wings of the Oly III, I couldn't imagine spoiling (destroying) that with a motor...what a crime. Obviously I have a purist point of view.

"A purist is one who desires that a particular item remain true to its essence and free from adulterating or diluting influences". -wikipedia

[schrederman]

I'm with Don... We don't need no steeenking motors... :D

Jack

[atmosteve]

You blokes make me laugh... :D :D :D

Actually, an OIIS-E would be a good e glider for my club field, because its not overly suited to setting out histarts or winches. But an E-OIII????? no, shiver me timbers, NOOOOOO!

I have to agree with Wylie, if the OIIS penetrates as well as my OIII does then you will have no probs flying it in 15mph headwinds, dirty steeenking motor or not. Preferably not.. but who can blame you for wanting to cheat. ;) :)

[Ray Hayes]

My facination with sailplanes is the challenge they have when launched by hand, Hi Start or winch to keep them up for an hour or more. Or sometimes just 3 minutes or less, haven't found anything without a motor that will lift out in sink.

Chasing the chute is good for health reasons.

But, I think I'm in the minority. If we monitor the number of viewers in the electric and slope categories, they out number the thermal and lets talk threads. The
convenience of electric is needed by many who do not have a large size flying field. Slope flying is the ultimate in convenience.

The best sailplane flying in my book is hand launch, and that category has more viewers than any other. They may be coming over to hi start/winch launching someday because they are in fact the true purist. The true, true purist of us all.

[acampfield]

Looks like I stumbled onto or into the mother lode of Oly expertise...

Ray was kind enough to sell be a Oly III kit and a extra wing kit, my plan is to build one wing as a true RES and the other as a Full House.
Has any of you out there done the full house thing with the Oly III and if so can you give me any advice or information regarding the dihedrals, flap and aileron size, etc.

Thanks

Archie