You're absolutely right! There is nothing more frustrating than losing your plane that way!
It was pretty far away but I could still clearly see it. Then all over a sudden it just disappeared! Either it entered a low cloud or my eyes are just not so good anymore.
My son was flying with me but he also had his plane in the air.

Anyway when I lost it I just set all controls to neutral with throttle off. Unfortunately it landed nose down in a field and broke the hull in 3 pieces!

It's all part of the hobby I presume!

Almost all (soon to be all) of my sailplanes have chrome tape (self adhesive trim covering) on the leading edge. I have a couple of strips about 4"x1" spaced apart. Most of it is on the top of the leading edge (barely on the bottom of the leading edge). While turning in the thermal, or trying to get a visual again, that tape will flash like strobes. Of course it does work much better with some help from the sun, but anything is better than nothing.

I know this isn't an electric plane, but you can see the chrome tape on the wing flashing as the plane turns. (If the video loaded, lol)

Ok, just found out videos can't be loaded in this forum.

Originally Posted by kwmtrubrit

Ok, just found out videos can't be loaded in this forum.

You can post videos on youtube or other online servers and post a link.

Yes, I have the chrome leading edge too, wrapped around to cover about 1" top and bottom and around the LE. In all the strip is about 3"" wide. It does work well....unless you are under a cloud.

Originally Posted by kwmtrubrit

Almost all (soon to be all) of my sailplanes have chrome tape (self adhesive trim covering) on the leading edge. I have a couple of strips about 4"x1" spaced apart. Most of it is on the top of the leading edge (barely on the bottom of the leading edge). While turning in the thermal, or trying to get a visual again, that tape will flash like strobes. Of course it does work much better with some help from the sun, but anything is better than nothing.

I agree that can help a lot, but I wonder if it would have worked here. It was evening and the sun was already setting. Furthermore there where low clouds sitting around. But it was the only time in a couple of days with nice flying weather.

It was just my mistake.....I shouldn't have let it drift off that far....

Originally Posted by BarnOwl

I agree that can help a lot, but I wonder if it would have worked here. It was evening and the sun was already setting. Furthermore there where low clouds sitting around. But it was the only time in a couple of days with nice flying weather.

It was just my mistake.....I shouldn't have let it drift off that far....

How did you find the plane?

Hehehe... I made a mental note of about where it went down....
It was on the riverside of the dyke we were flying. So I waited for my son to land his plane and then we took off. Our house is just on the land side of the dyke.
I took the car to the supposed crash site and ofcourse two of my sons saw it already from a far distance. It really stands out, you know, such a white plane. Sorry, no pictures......

Originally Posted by JumpySticks

How did you find the plane?

For future reference:


> Plane Locators
> http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=237

This unit works with 2.4 GHz systems
http://www.skykingrcproducts.com/acc...del_alarm.html

Ed,
Do electric sailplanes like the RP qualify for the League of Silent Flight?
If so, is an AMA Parkflyer membership sufficient to qualify as an aspirant?

Originally Posted by JumpySticks

Ed,
Do electric sailplanes like the RP qualify for the League of Silent Flight?
If so, is an AMA Parkflyer membership sufficient to qualify as an aspirant?

No, electric does not qualify for League of Silent Flight.

That is why I and others have opted for the Sportsmans Soaring Program

Don

Originally Posted by donsinger1

No, electric does not qualify for League of Silent Flight.

That is why I and others have opted for the Sportsmans Soaring Program

Don

Thanks Don.
Is that like rehab for the thermal addicted?
My wife is still hinting about an intervention.

Kidding aside, what is the Sportsmans Soaring Program?

Originally Posted by JumpySticks

Ed,
Do electric sailplanes like the RP qualify for the League of Silent Flight?
If so, is an AMA Parkflyer membership sufficient to qualify as an aspirant?

Well, what do you mean by qualify for LSF. Do you mean the task program? No, no electrics allowed. However there is no reason you could not follow that same program with your electric to help guide you on your personal development.

However, one of LSF's main activities is to run the AMA NATs for Soaring. There the LSF runs the electric soaring NATs.

Just not exactly sure what you were asking.

Hey guys,

With me not being an "E"-literate person, and realizing that there are many variants that come into play while flying an electric, can someone give me some idea how many flights I can expect to get with my RP from the standard 1300-3cell battery? Let's say something like a 10 sec power climb and 20mins flights. All of my other planes are "pure" and I know how long I can fly those, but the fan on the front is a new venture for me. I think I read here somewhere that an 1800-3 cell will fit. Is it worth getting one, or is the 1300 more than enough for a "neck ache."

Thanks in advance

The 1300mah is more than enough and is all you need for this plane... This plane is a glider and meant for soaring... In a good day, if you catch a thermal, you'll be up for hours without having to turn on the power.

Originally Posted by kwmtrubrit

Hey guys,

With me not being an "E"-literate person, and realizing that there are many variants that come into play while flying an electric, can someone give me some idea how many flights I can expect to get with my RP from the standard 1300-3cell battery? Let's say something like a 10 sec power climb and 20mins flights. All of my other planes are "pure" and I know how long I can fly those, but the fan on the front is a new venture for me. I think I read here somewhere that an 1800-3 cell will fit. Is it worth getting one, or is the 1300 more than enough for a "neck ache."

Thanks in advance