Dream-Flight Alula Hand Launch Sailplane Review - Page 2

DRAMJET · Jan 11, 2013, 08:08 PM

Looks like another heading down under....

Wanda might be the cruising ground after seeing it done nicely in Wamberal.

ShaneH · Jan 12, 2013, 01:24 AM

I used to fly at Wanda and the surrounding areas, the sand dunes back in the late 80's were great for soaring.. I'd say a much better place than Wamby... I have 2 Alulas just in case something happens to one of them

Enjoy!

Dennis Sumner · Jan 12, 2013, 08:13 AM

Michael,

Nice review, I have been looking at this one for a while but stopped because we are pretty flat in South Eastern Michigan! I wish Dreamworks had a power option worked out but looks to be easy to mod.

Denny

Gordysoar · Jan 12, 2013, 09:48 AM

Hi Guys,

A few years back modelers figured out that it was possible to catch thermals by simply throwing sailplanes

(gliders are airplanes that land with out motors, sailplanes are airplanes that some pilots can make go up with out a motor :-).

The Alula is a glider to some and a sailplane to those who work at it. I own one and love it on the slope as a test dummy to see if there's enough air for some thing that is not safe in marginal lift.

However I also fly the Alula on flat land while the winch is being set up or when time doesn't allow to put up my 4m F3J ships.

Its very rewarding to toss the Alula into a bit of lift then to work it up along side the serious DLGs.

If for no other reason than it looks sooo birdlike in the sky, you guys need to own one before they become unobtainium.

A seriously fun little ship.

Gordy
Cold in Kentucky

rmmoorejr · Jan 12, 2013, 07:22 PM

Mine should be at my door on Monday

bluzharp · Jan 13, 2013, 10:09 AM

Great review. One of the most important points about construction of the Alula is balancing. The more accurately you balace it, the better it performs. I balance it by filling the dimples up about halfway with glue to make them hard on the bottom. I have a pair of points in boards on the bench and I start with the plane slightly tailheavy balanced in the dimple but behind the center of it. I add pieces of tape to the nose until it balances. Anywhere in the dimples is good, but slightly aft of the center is my preferred point. Also, a couple of carbon sticks imbedded in the sides of the nose with PU glue (under the bellypan) will provide added support for the nose making it quite a bit more durable.

Another note: don't be tempted to skip the step of taping the belly pan all the way around as instructed. The nose needs the strength provided by doing this.

The Alula is one of my favorite and most flown gliders. I agree with Gordy and have a small stash of extras ferreted away. I hope they don't become unobtanium.

demondriver · Jan 13, 2013, 12:07 PM

Great Thread Micheal Thanks!

VHO · Jan 13, 2013, 05:25 PM

.. but an electric option would help.

There seems to be many options for electrifying an Alula. Is it possible that someone has a summary of how its been to make it possible to weigh alternative methods?

Sorry for the HighJack

r0beert0 · Jan 14, 2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHO

.. but an electric option would help.

There seems to be many options for electrifying an Alula. Is it possible that someone has a summary of how its been to make it possible to weigh alternative methods?

Sorry for the HighJack

Here is an electric motor mod that I've done... it's been working out quite well!

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1787896

DRAMJET · Jan 14, 2013, 06:54 PM

It's always a good day until a shoe salesman pops up.
Alphabet soup, why don't you stop being a gopher, this is not a junk sale thread.

sloper10 · Jan 15, 2013, 12:12 PM

watching and learning...thanks..

rmmoorejr · Jan 15, 2013, 06:17 PM

mine arrived on Monday. Should have it up and flying by Friday. (working long hours is cutting into my flying and building time) I just cant decide if I should paint it up fancy,or just fly this one and order another.

NCRealEstateGuy · Jan 15, 2013, 06:37 PM

subscribed.

NEWBEFLYER · Jan 16, 2013, 12:38 PM

Me and my firend just bought our Alulas and after I finish my spook E plane I'll start working on my Alula. I never did any SLG before but I have watched DLGs(so what's the differance between the SLG &DLG)flying and got the bug to try it.There's a RC glider club CASA in Maryland that I go to once in awhile and I heard there's a following of Alulas and other DLGs so when I get mine up and going I'll definately go there to have some fun with them. Good article here and great reviews and fantastic videos all which are a great help and inspiration to me. Good job Dreamflight. Look forward to getting mine flying and show some videos .

Jan 12, 2013, 09:48 AM	#19
Gordysoar Registered User USA, KY, Louisville Joined Oct 2002 507 Posts	The Alula IS a sailplane ;-) Hi Guys, A few years back modelers figured out that it was possible to catch thermals by simply throwing sailplanes (gliders are airplanes that land with out motors, sailplanes are airplanes that some pilots can make go up with out a motor :-). The Alula is a glider to some and a sailplane to those who work at it. I own one and love it on the slope as a test dummy to see if there's enough air for some thing that is not safe in marginal lift. However I also fly the Alula on flat land while the winch is being set up or when time doesn't allow to put up my 4m F3J ships. Its very rewarding to toss the Alula into a bit of lift then to work it up along side the serious DLGs. If for no other reason than it looks sooo birdlike in the sky, you guys need to own one before they become unobtainium. A seriously fun little ship. Gordy Cold in Kentucky

Jan 13, 2013, 12:07 PM	#22
demondriver Up-Out-&-Gone Charelston SC U.S.A. Joined Mar 2007 11,554 Posts	Great Thread Micheal Thanks!
	Latest blog entry: Mini 50MM EDF F-105D Thunderchief

Jan 13, 2013, 05:25 PM	#23
VHO glider misguider Armidale NSW Australia Joined Feb 2007 489 Posts	Happy to throw my Aluala around.. .. but an electric option would help. There seems to be many options for electrifying an Alula. Is it possible that someone has a summary of how its been to make it possible to weigh alternative methods? Sorry for the HighJack

Jan 14, 2013, 06:32 PM	View Post
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Jan 11, 2013, 08:08 PM	#16
DRAMJET 2 metre rule applies! BOOGI, Australia Joined Dec 2008 876 Posts	Looks like another heading down under.... Wanda might be the cruising ground after seeing it done nicely in Wamberal.

Jan 12, 2013, 01:24 AM	#17
ShaneH Born again sloper Australia, NSW, Bensville Joined Aug 2011 174 Posts	I used to fly at Wanda and the surrounding areas, the sand dunes back in the late 80's were great for soaring.. I'd say a much better place than Wamby... I have 2 Alulas just in case something happens to one of them Enjoy!

Jan 12, 2013, 08:13 AM	#18
Dennis Sumner Wanted for breaking OHM's law United States, MI Joined Sep 2002 1,084 Posts	Michael, Nice review, I have been looking at this one for a while but stopped because we are pretty flat in South Eastern Michigan! I wish Dreamworks had a power option worked out but looks to be easy to mod. Denny

Jan 12, 2013, 07:22 PM	#20
rmmoorejr So that's how you throw a DLG! USA, NC, Sugar Grove Joined Dec 2009 154 Posts	Mine should be at my door on Monday

Jan 13, 2013, 10:09 AM	#21
bluzharp setting CG with ceiling fan on USA, CA, Bakersfield Joined Apr 2010 507 Posts	Great review. One of the most important points about construction of the Alula is balancing. The more accurately you balace it, the better it performs. I balance it by filling the dimples up about halfway with glue to make them hard on the bottom. I have a pair of points in boards on the bench and I start with the plane slightly tailheavy balanced in the dimple but behind the center of it. I add pieces of tape to the nose until it balances. Anywhere in the dimples is good, but slightly aft of the center is my preferred point. Also, a couple of carbon sticks imbedded in the sides of the nose with PU glue (under the bellypan) will provide added support for the nose making it quite a bit more durable. Another note: don't be tempted to skip the step of taping the belly pan all the way around as instructed. The nose needs the strength provided by doing this. The Alula is one of my favorite and most flown gliders. I agree with Gordy and have a small stash of extras ferreted away. I hope they don't become unobtanium.

Jan 14, 2013, 06:54 PM	#26
DRAMJET 2 metre rule applies! BOOGI, Australia Joined Dec 2008 876 Posts	It's always a good day until a shoe salesman pops up. Alphabet soup, why don't you stop being a gopher, this is not a junk sale thread.

Jan 15, 2013, 12:12 PM	#27
sloper10 Registered User United States, TN, Nashville Joined Oct 2012 17 Posts	watching and learning...thanks..

Jan 15, 2013, 06:17 PM	#28
rmmoorejr So that's how you throw a DLG! USA, NC, Sugar Grove Joined Dec 2009 154 Posts	mine arrived on Monday. Should have it up and flying by Friday. (working long hours is cutting into my flying and building time) I just cant decide if I should paint it up fancy,or just fly this one and order another.

Jan 15, 2013, 06:37 PM	#29
NCRealEstateGuy I'm Addicted Already Charlotte, NC Joined Feb 2011 1,010 Posts	subscribed.

Jan 16, 2013, 12:38 PM	#30
NEWBEFLYER Registered User United States, VA, Woodbridge Joined Apr 2007 1,569 Posts	Me and my firend just bought our Alulas and after I finish my spook E plane I'll start working on my Alula. I never did any SLG before but I have watched DLGs(so what's the differance between the SLG &DLG)flying and got the bug to try it.There's a RC glider club CASA in Maryland that I go to once in awhile and I heard there's a following of Alulas and other DLGs so when I get mine up and going I'll definately go there to have some fun with them. Good article here and great reviews and fantastic videos all which are a great help and inspiration to me. Good job Dreamflight. Look forward to getting mine flying and show some videos .