Long Island Silent Flyers (LISF) is hosting a one design group build and contest. LISF has done this before, with great success, when we built the Bubble Dancer and now we're doing it again with the Bird Of Time.

We're just getting started on the group build of the Bird Of Time (BOT), taking our time and helping each other to bring as many models to completion as possible over the winter. Some members are finishing BOT models they've been working on, or starting a major overhaul, or ordering BOT kits or contemplating purchasing the ARF version of the BOT. No one is building from plans, yet, but we do have one member building a new wing from scratch. The point is we aren't setting a blistering pace. You have time to look around, think about it and then join us. Even if you don't enter the contest, we encourage you to participate: follow the thread, build along with us and have fun.

LISF flies out of Stillwell Woods Park in Syosset, Nassau County, Long Island, New York. We are throwing the build and contest open to surrounding clubs. You don't have to be a member to participate.

This is our Bird Of Time build thread. Expect to see a lot of information, photos and discussion right here.

Here is a link to our discussion thread (updated 07-15-2011): One Design - Bird Of Time Group Discussion. This is the 100 foot view for the group build and contest. It contains a lot of information and the rules for building if you want to enter the contest. Check it out.

Here is a link to our club's webpage: LISF Home Page. Most definitely check it out. We have a diverse group of enthusiasts with interests in all types of sailplanes and gliders.

Twenty people are currently in the LISF Bird of Time One Design Build. We expect eight of them, and others, will be in the One Design Contest, too.

Update: Check out the One Design Contest photos on page 49 of this thread.

Your one design link is 404

http://www.lisfsoar.proboards.com/in...ead=103&page=1

This should be fun. I hope we can get 10 BOT built by spring which would make a great One Design contest.

The link to, One Design - Bird Of Time Group Discussion, has been fixed.

Thanks, kw5368 and Wazmo. We don't want to lose folks from the get-go.

Questions about the kit.

The ARF shows one servo under the canopy and the other in the tail. Does the kit work the same way?

I note in the on-line kit manual that there are two options to how to build the fuselage. There seems to be a wide fuse or a narrow fuse. Any advice on this? What are the differences and considerations? There are no photos in the on-line manual. My tendency would be to build the narrow fuse for less frontal area, but would apprecaite the input of anyone who has built this kit.

Finally, the on-line manual is for a 108" version but the specs say 118" What is the actual model and do the plans and the manual match? The ARF seems to be 118"

Originally Posted by aeajr

Questions about the kit.

The ARF shows one servo under the canopy and the other in the tail. Does the kit work the same way?

Both servos will be up front on the kit version

I note in the on-line kit manual that there are two options to how to build the fuselage. There seems to be a wide fuse or a narrow fuse. Any advice on this? What are the differences and considerations? There are no photos in the on-line manual. My tendency would be to build the narrow fuse for less frontal area, but would apprecaite the input of anyone who has built this kit.

The only thing you will have to do, is modify some parts, the formers and top and bottom pieces will have to be made narrow. The BOT design dates back to the mid/late 70's, and was designed around some pretty hefty radio gear

Finally, the on-line manual is for a 108" version but the specs say 118" What is the actual model and do the plans and the manual match? The ARF seems to be 118"

Kit will be 118" as well, manual and plans should match.

Will this be an AMA sanctioned event? you are opening it up to non club members. If you need a CD, I might be able to help if no one else is willing.

Will there be a fee for participating in the contest?

will we be securing a date with the county (and all that goes with that) for the field?

What date do you have for it?

When the kit was purchased by the current owners, it was changed, I think to a 108" wing.. These initial changes were not well received. They made additional changes and extended it to 118" and supposedly simplified it a bit. Not sure of all of this but when I got my kit, this is what was told to me.

Will there be a list of allowed changes? In the example of a not approved changes on the LISF forums, it lists the wing addec carbon and fiberglass. Is that allowed? Is the composite fuse the reason it is not allowed?


For example, can I remove plywood and use carbon instead?

Can I change the shape of the fuse or must it be either the narrow or box style fuse listed in the plans?

Can I lengthen the nose since newer equipment is lighter to offset the weight a bit?

I have one of these Dynaflight kits but do not know if I'll get around to building it.

Frank

For what its worth, the RCM Plans service list the original by Dave Thornburg at 118 also. Not sure when/why the 108 would have come in to play.

118 was the original size. Thornburg acknowledges this in an early article/review of the Dynaflite kit. 108 was/is a misprint seen in the Dynaflite kit.

Alternatively, and along with- prior to kitting/plans finalisation, there were apparently many versions built by Thornburg, and there may be misunderstandings from that.

On the box they comment increased to 118" from some quantity that I think was 108". I guess Dynaflight changed the original 118" down to a 108" and then when they made mods and suggested improvements, they upped it agasin to 118".

This is Trevor's project, I am just helping out, but since the answeres to your questions are easy, I will jump in.

Originally Posted by Fly2High

Will this be an AMA sanctioned event? you are opening it up to non club members. If you need a CD, I might be able to help if no one else is willing.

This will likely not be an AMA event but you will need to be an AMA member to participate in the One Design contest. Yes it is being opened to non-club members. The Merokes have been invited to participate. We will see if others are interested and make a decision if there is interest.

As for CD - has not been discussed but since this has been Trevor's idea, I would suggest Trevor for the job. I have been assisting him so he can count on me for that too. But I am sure he can use help.

Originally Posted by Fly2High

Will there be a fee for participating in the contest?

Has not been discussed, but probably not. This will be a typical club type contest. Both LISF and the Merokes have the required Nassau County Permits. If this spans outside these clubs we may have to look at a fee to cover the cost of permits for the field.

Originally Posted by Fly2High

will we be securing a date with the county (and all that goes with that) for the field?

Probably not.

Originally Posted by Fly2High

What date do you have for it?

Date has not been set yet.

Originally Posted by Fly2High

the original plans were for a 108" wing. When the kit was purchased by the current owners, it was changed. These initial changes were not well received. They made additional changes and extended it to 118" and supposedly simplified it a bit. Not sure of all of this but when I got my kit, this is what was told to me.

We are basing this on the Dynaflite kit but you are free to use plans, kit or the ARF version. The older 108" version is OK too.

Originally Posted by Fly2High

Will there be a list of allowed changes? In the example of a not approved changes on the LISF forums, it lists the wing addec carbon and fiberglass. Is that allowed? Is the composite fuse the reason it is not allowed?

EDITED POST - THE RULES OF THE OD CHANGED AFTER THIS POST. SEE POST 1 for the current info.

I am updating my coments here:

This was published in the WE flying report and the LISF Forums. All the details are there. The link is in the first post and in the WE Flying report. But here it is again.
http://www.lisfsoar.proboards.com/in...lay&thread=103

Rules of the OD contest build were changed 11/2
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=31

* OK for plans, kit or ARF build
* OK for 108" nostalgia version or 118" current version
* OK for carbon on the spar
* OK to add spoilers, but they must be disabled for the OD contest
* OK to fiberglass the kit fuselage and finish it as you please
* OK to use either screws or rubber bands to hold down the wings
* OK to choose your own electronics and layout
* Decorate as you like
Other mod allowances were added 11/2
* No skegs will be allowed in the contest (you won’t need one)

Originally Posted by Fly2High

For example, can I remove plywood and use carbon instead?

See updated rules

Originally Posted by Fly2High

Can I change the shape of the fuse or must it be either the narrow or box style fuse listed in the plans?

see updated rules

Originally Posted by Fly2High

Can I lengthen the nose since newer equipment is lighter to offset the weight a bit?

see updated rules 11/2

Originally Posted by Fly2High

I have one of these Dynaflight kits but do not know if I'll get around to building it.
Frank

Now you have motivation to get it built.

At CRRC , they have an article on the BOT
http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articl...naflitebot.htm

Originally Posted by Fly2High

At CRRC , they have an article on the BOT
http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articl...naflitebot.htm

Thanks Frank,

We have the link to the article listed under Reviews rather than under Build Threads, so it may not have jumped out at you.

It's a good article: lots of detail.