Ménez-Hom été 2010
A fantastic video submitted by our friend Erwan Laurans (star of Pierre Rondel’s recent Sonic video) of some great flying at the mecca of VTPR, Ménez-Hom in Bretagne 
Archive for June 2011
Protech Slopemaster 3D at the Ruins
Protech Slopemaster 3D at the Ruins from surfimp on Vimeo.
Apologies in advance: this video was shot with my headcam and it isn’t zoomed in enough. In fact, it’s pretty crappy footage overall. Watch it in fullscreen for best results. That being said, I feel that the flying presented gives an inkling of what this Madslide-inspired design is capable of, so maybe it’s useful if you’ve been considering getting a Slopemaster or Kulbutin and/or scratchbuilding a true Madslide (recommended – plans here).
I’m not sure if this model is still on the market, but it’s basically a complete Madslide clone/knockoff, I believe produced without BPLR’s permission, based on plans published around 2000 or so in various R/C hobby magazines like Looping from France.
Anyways, I was able to obtain one thanks to my friend Swiss Peter, and have finally gotten enough flying time with it, in enough different conditions, to begin to form an opinion. Maiden was a couple weeks ago at Pt. Fermin (I know, right?? LOL) and I’ve flown it about 4-5 times since. Reviews I’ve read online have pretty much panned it, but I actually really like it! It’s reasonably fast for an aerobat, has good control response, is very neutral in knife edge, and is just a lot of fun to whack around the sky.
I haven’t totally mastered the Madflight-style flip-loop with it, and unfortunately this video doesn’t show any done properly, but so long as I do them crosswind, I can usually pull them off. I found I had to move the CG pretty far back from my initial position to get them to start working, and whether they work or not has been totally dependent on CG (per the Madflight tips from BPLR I got a while back).
The elevator is setup with about 75* of deflection in either direction (so about 150* total) and obviously on high rates I have to run a lot of expo to keep it flyable. Despite this, and probably because I’ve got a decent digital servo on the elevator, I find its precision to be more than good enough for my needs.
Ultimately, the goal is to keep moving the CG rearward and eventually add a gyro (which I’ve already purchased and have ready to install) to help control pitch with significantly rearward CGs. I want to see if its possible to have a plane that’s easy and fun to fly while at the same time allowing ridiculous flip-loop action.
VTPR à la Banne d’Ordanche
VTPR à la Banne d’Ordanche from Pierre Rondel on Vimeo.
From Pierre Rondel’s fantastic Planet-Soaring:
“This is the latest video I did, last week-end: Erwan Laurans flying his Sonic at the Banne d’Ordanche (Auvergne) while waiting for the wind during a F3F competition.
His Sonic is 1.9 kg only. This is the typical VTPR sailplane.”
Beautiful glider, beautiful flying, beautiful site… thank you Erwan and Pierre for the inspiring video!
24oz Big Fish at Kanan
24oz Big Fish at Kanan from surfimp on Vimeo.
Swiss Peter has done it again! This time he’s built the 82″ Big Fish by Leading Edge Gliders to an almost unimaginable 24oz (635g) flying weight. It’s insane! Here’s video of him and Brett Jaffee flying it at sunset near Oak Park, California. Wind was approximately 6-8mph in the video.
Le Chant du Quartz
From Fred, the moderator of GliderIreland.net, a great Irish modelling forum:
“Here is a video of Francois Cahour, trying a new Quartz in the Beaufortain (Alps), and a new elevator… “
Unbelievably great everything, this video.
First American VTPR Rencontre! July 9th at Temple Hill
It’s with great pleasure that I announce the first-ever American VTPR rencontre (gathering). We’re meeting on Saturday, July 9th at Temple Hill in Diamond Bar, California. Some of the best American VTPR pilots have confirmed they’ll be there… it should be an AWESOME day!
Where: Temple Hill, SoCal (Directions here)
When: July 9th 2011
Entry Fee: FREE
AMA / liability insurance: Not required but very good idea!
Lodging: Local Hotels, Stay Over’s
Site Access: 1/4 mile trailhead walk
Restrooms: None
Trash: Haul it out
Alcohol: NOPE
Smoking: NOPE
Animals: On a Leash
Snakes: Very possible!
Spectators welcome: Absolutely!
Pilots Meeting: 2pm
You can read all about it in this thread on RCGroups. The American slope aerobatics scene has really entered a new era… so exciting to be a part of it!! Hope to see you there
7.2m Quartus
Grainy video but what a beautiful plane!!
Extreme Gliders’ Extra – madflight capable PSSer!
slope tumbles from John Scahill on Vimeo.
extra from John Scahill on Vimeo.
Here’s something new and cool! This PSS-style glider is based on the fullscale Extra aerobatics plane, with an all-moving stab making it capable of madflight-style flip loops and tumbles. Check the videos!
Extreme Gliders’ Extra Design specs:
- 1.5m wingspan
- SB96V/SB96VS airfoils
- All-moving stab capable of significant deflection
- ~40oz all up weight
The design is currently in prototype phase but will likely be offered as a kit by Dan Clearly of Extreme Gliders. His website is currently under construction but here is his contact information:
Dan McCleary – Extreme Gliders
Email: d...@Xg-eXtremegliders.com
Phone: (909) 648-4982
Ellwood Session
Ellwood Session from surfimp on Vimeo.
A fun Father’s Day flying session at Ellwood Mesa with Swiss Peter’s ultralightweight 13.7oz Spindrift and 17oz Le Fish builds. The wind was crossed up and coming in offcenter but we made the most of it. Good times!
Great fullscale soaring videos
FlyingTV.pl has an amazing collection of fullscale soaring videos… like the one above. Check it out!
