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Speed,Combat,Scale,Racing => Carrier => Topic started by: Jim Oliver on September 30, 2011, 07:42:24 AM

Title: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Jim Oliver on September 30, 2011, 07:42:24 AM

We will have a VERY simple arrested landing area (not a "deck") at our contest this weekend, our first venture into this area.

What is the best position for the deck with respect to wind direction?

Thanks,
Jim

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: bill bischoff on September 30, 2011, 09:44:08 AM

I prefer that the arresting area of the deck be about 45 degrees past dead downwind, so that you are landing with some headwind. If you put the deck dead downwind, you are actually landing with a tailwind which makes the plane accelerate. If you position the deck too much into the wind, you may have to fight with "ballooning" on landing. Also, planes that aren't real strong getting off the deck sometimes have trouble, because almost immediately after clearing the deck, the wind is in the pilot's face and can blow the plane in.. Ask 10 different carrier pilots, expect 10 different answers. :)

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Peter Mazur on September 30, 2011, 08:30:45 PM

Adding one more of ten different answers: Around the Midwest, we like to have the airplane heading dead into the wind as it crosses the stern of the deck. and if anything, having the deck a little forward of that is fine, too, and maybe even better. The airplane can be in a full hang mode as it lands that way. Even if it is so windy that the airplane gets out of the hang for part of the circle, it can usually get back into the hang in time to land. Since we started putting the deck in this position, very few people miss the landing.
Pete

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Jim Oliver on October 01, 2011, 05:55:33 AM

Thanks for the help.

Jim

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Wayne J. Buran on October 01, 2011, 05:02:46 PM

Hey Jim, some pictures of your deck would be great.
Wayne

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Jim Oliver on October 01, 2011, 06:50:54 PM

Wayne,

It is a VERY basic set up just to see if there is enough interest locally to justify a real deck. 
Actually, it's a couple of 1"x4"x8ft. pine strips with screw eyes 24" apart, secured to the ground, 8 ft. apart, with large nails.  Five pound sand bag at each end of 4 arresting lines made of 3/16" dia. line.

We had winds 15-20 mph today and were able to get all the Sat. aerobatic events done, but no takers on the "deck".  Maybe tomorrow; wind is forecast to be 5 to 10, but I've learned to never trust a smiling weather man!

Jim

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Wayne J. Buran on October 02, 2011, 04:23:19 AM

I assume you are flying on a hard surface or is it grass?
Wayne

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: Jim Oliver on October 02, 2011, 04:25:47 AM

The site is smooth grass, actually one of our CL stunt practice circles.

Jim

Title: Re: Orientation of Carrier Deck vs. wind direction?
Post by: john e. holliday on October 02, 2011, 08:49:11 PM

Early days of carrier in which I was the event director, the deck/grass was set up almost down wind.   Mostly into the wind.  One of our top guys at the time could not get off on two tries until I told him to hold neutral elevator on take off.   He was trying to get off using full up elevator.   Once he went to neutral elevator he was airborne before getting half way to the front of the deck.  I still remember the flying/launching that brought about the red line the planes must be launched behind.    H^^