Windy weather stunt plane

[steven yampolsky]

there is a HUGE difference between wind, and turbulence,, what I saw in Eugene that was problematic was not the wind, I have flown well in wind faster than what I flew in there, what is tough is the turbulence coming over the trees,, its boiling,, just like Dan mentioned,, Puyalup is horrible that way when the wind blows over the hanger and restaurant,, turbulence is much more disturbing than wind,,

Here's my take on this:

Strong steady wind requires horsepower. Turbulent air requires high wing loading(at least in full-size airplanes).

[Chris Wilson]

Would have thought that a thinner and flatter wing sections in the wind is desirable too.

I seem to recall that Vintage British combat models lent on this theory quite heavily.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Russell.  I think you are singing the "NW Regionals Blues".  And for good reason.  Many flyers, including myself, were at the mercy of the trick wind currents above 45 deg.  Many, also including myself, were blown out of overhead 8s.

Maybe Dan has it right:  that is how it is here.  I have yet to see a plane that really, really flew well in wind.

I could also give some suggestions, but I think my ideas have been covered already. (like: Legacy with a .60 engine)

Because of said wind conditions, I have given up on any engine less than OS46LA, with the .60 size being nicer.

Floyd

[Randy Cuberly]

If you insist on staying with a 35 size airplane, the Gieseke Nobler with an Aerotiger 36 is in my experience the very best of the lot...hands down.
Built around 40-42 ounces they will handle the wind as well as much larger airplanes.
Steve Moon suggested this very early on and he is definitely right...I've had several over the years powered with everything from Fox 35's, FP40's, a Double Star 40, and the Aerotiger 36.  The Aerotiger properly setup and propped regulates almost as well as a piped engine.
If you really want to fly in wind and not worry very much, an SV11 or an Impact with a PA65 and pipe is really Magic...and I'm not kidding...Nothing really beats the power and control of the PA65 on a properly setup pipe when the wind blows...get it adjusted and leave it alone...no matter what, it always works.

Really turbulent conditions demand a pass unless you're Paul Walker, Bob Hunt, Bill Werwedge or one of that ilk!

I suppose the electric junk can work very well also but it's a whole different learning curve... I'm prepared to try it but currently haven't seen one really work as well as a good PA setup...at least around here.  Also the pipe only puts oil on the bottom rear of the fuselage  .

Randy Cuberly

[john e. holliday]

If you want a windy weather plane no matter if it is straight or choppy, put a Nelson Pylon .40 in the nose of a Nobler and let it rip.  3.5 lap times and tons of tension.   Of course the stresses on the structure may shorten the flight.  Also max line length might be required.

[Bill Little]

I don't know how well this fits into the discussion, but my USA-1 was the best wind flier I have ever had.  53 oz., ST G.51 from Tom Lay, 3 bld Eather prop.

BIG BEAR
RNMM/AMM

[M Spencer]

Strong / ridgid contol surfaces . Strong Tailplane , non twisty fuselage . Stiffish everything else , - wires - no stretch . no bendy flaps / elevators , horns or pushrods .
Maybe shorter lines if a howling gale . Needs 25 Knots to get a yacht moveing nicely 

Try This ( & part 2 ) http://www.iroquois.free-online.co.uk/schedule1.htm

Strong nerveves and an accute sense of preservaton . Not to metion being quick on youre feet . 

[Paul Walker]

  Also the pipe only puts oil on the bottom rear of the fuselage  .

Randy Cuberly
[/quote]




Excellent point Randy.  Yeah, I get used electrons all over my plane!

[Randy Cuberly]

  Also the pipe only puts oil on the bottom rear of the fuselage  .

Randy Cuberly





Excellent point Randy.  Yeah, I get used electrons all over my plane!

Yeah, and those stray electrons tend to embrittle the balsa and the glue and cause all kinds of problems!!!

I have it on good authority that they are responsible for all of the instability problems I've seen...the sticky controls are likely caused by premature aging of the plastic in the ball links caused by the constant electron bombardment...they may even cause embrittlement of the stainless lines and result in the dreded fly-aways!

 

I gotta stop!!!!

[M Spencer]

Sounds like you need one of these . 



Talking about loose joints , something for rough air or wind needs top quality No 1 fits & joints and glueing .
and it might pay to use just a bit tougher wood for spars , and glue instead of noseweight , up front .

Saw a electric foam swept wing thing , R/C explode most realistically , as it pulled up full tit of the end of the field
where the wind comes up the slope . Just like the one on the Farnborough Film . 

The dreaded Control Flutter . Airframe wise the bits are earning their keep , so something with a bit of grain in its usefull .
Should bow , not snap , under load . Bending a wing across youre knee normally gets the opposition a bit excited .
Not sure whatd happen if you tried it with theirs .