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Start with a 2m span model - bungee launched from large flat field. Simple, Close to nature. Plenty of exercise setting up and fetching bungee each launch. |
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Recommended plane for beginner : 1.8 metre (6 foot) to 2 metre polyhedral rudder/elevator model.Launching : 30 metres of rubber bungee, then 100-120 metres of fishing line, small parachute with ring on top - hooked on to a hook fixed to the underside of the fuselage. Plane pulled back 60 metres - launched into wind - sails up to 80 metres and drops line.Construction : usually balsawood with harder spars, covered in heat-shrink covering. Takes about 40 hours to build, cover and fit the electrics. Some mentoring required.Pre-built kits are available. Radio Gear : Basic 2 channel radio - or higher quality multi-channel radio (see RADIO articles covering this.).Flight Times ( See also Catching Thermals article)This will depend on the conditions, the thermals and your ability to stay in them. Expect 2-12 minutes for your average flight, sometimes many more! Location requirements : Plenty of wide open space for stretching bungee, few trees to tangle bungee line or crash plane into. Separate space from power fliersDegree of difficulty : Most docile plane to fly - excellent model to be trained on.Comments : Very relaxing; requires most exercise; flights 2-20 minutes plus; Fragile if crashed heavily. Excellent for slope soaring when winds not strong.Most glider pilots retain one of these for light days on the slope. Alternatives for the beginner : none recommended, this model fits the requirements of the beginner particularly well.Approximate cost of first plane and gear - from around A$400 including radio; plus club fees.A full table of ITEMS REQUIRED and APPROXIMATE PRICES Buying ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) - sometimes heavier and not as strong, but far less construction timeMoving on to other planes :- Larger models of similar design - Aileron models - Higher performance fibreglass models (generally winch launched) - Larger scale gliders (generally aero-towed, sometimes winch launched) Further reading on this type of flying : Advanced and Other articles on this site. |
The bungee pulls the glider into the wind and the glider "kites" up and the line drops off the tow-hook by itself.
The glider is about to be launched. Line is attached to a parachute which has a ring attaching to a hook under the fuselage of the plane. Don't catch the tailplane on your head in the launch!!
Up she goes!
Bungee kit, pegs, rubber line (on the reel) and chute. |
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