This is my first attempts at the bungee launch system of take off for a radio controlled glider. The engine is not working on the glider because of accumulated damage, and a bungee launch might be the only way it gets back into the air!
I like the plane. Just hand throw it once and I wanted to just see the balance all alone. Really neat plane. I got hooked on home made planes decades ago. 69". Soeey im not a high start man. We hand threw it. No electronics. A really cool plane.
This video is old, and it seems the glider has been sorted with a motor, so the high start is unneeded. But, from what I am seeing here, the position of the tow hook relative to the CG is off. When you hang the glider from the tow hook (just use a loop of line or a spare key ring or something similar) the model should make a 20-25 degree angle relative to the horizontal. That’s a good safe starting point. You can play with it as you fly more. If you want more altitude, but a less stable tow, move the hook further aft, closer to the CG. If you want a more stable tow that does t launch as high, move the hook forward, away from the CG. Tow hook position relative to CG is SUPER IMPORTANT for a good launch and release when using a bungee type launch. Also, I like to bend my tow hooks to a 90 degree angle, and leave the end of the hook, the horizontal part, at least an inch long.
Ok thats good advice. Thanks. I prefer to have some sort of engine these days. However, im making a new mini glider with no engine for slope soaring. I hope people checking out this video will take your advice if they are getting into the bungee launch.
If I were you I would bind a fishing line between the glider and the rubber. For example: 10 meter rubber + 50 meter fishing line. I'm sure that the upshot would be better. The hook should be exactly under the CG.
I would suggest sir that the cloth hanging from the line to help release the ring from the hook is far too large and is pulling the ring off far too early.
i was their to see this flight and gota say grate save on the first launch ....... the footage looks a little compressed is that utubes fault ? because the camera you had looked good
Hi Neil, yeah it was difficult getting the hang of it. I still need a lot of work! The video resolution is a bit off because of the low light. There was no way of fixing it unfortunately because the raw footage didnt come out very clear. Saw some good drone flying there last night - which was cool - assume that was you. Will post a video of the yellow plane soon as well - which I also flew last night.
Paul Garbett if you want some aerial footage id be happy to lend a hand :) ......... i also have planes and stuff and try to fly every day witch is hard were we live
neil william wow cool. Yes it is hard to fly everyday. When it is windy I go out slope soaring with my big glider. I am also making a rc gull for soaring with the birds. Might be able to film birds in flight! They often glide with me if the engine is off for a while.
Paul Garbett sorry 4 the late replys i work 2 jobs evry day and only just finished will be awsome to see your rc gull are you going the ornithopter way about it or big plane hiden az a bird?........i put a friend request to you on facebook my name is ..Neilis waytotall...u dont have to add me if you dont want to tho i can understand that
neil william The new RC gull has quite a powerful EDF Jet inside the fuselage which will give it plenty of power. It has a 2m wingspan, so will look quite impressive in the air!
Yes I have sorted it out now. Got a length of string as well as the rubber. Yes the video turned out blurry because we were filming at very low light. Have that sorted now to with a camera which can film in low light. Thanks.
