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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

DLG Glider contest reflections

This past weekend I attended the East Coast Hand launched Glider Festival in Wilson NC. Some of my reflections from this event are posted here and if you do not know about Discuss launched gliders take some time to learn a little as it is one of the best parts of the RC world.

I am still recovering from the 7+ drive home at midnight (and the subsequent Monday as a small business owner that has been off 4 days) and I could feel the wear and tear in my arm and legs this morning at the Gym but “Wow” what a good time I had this past weekend.

I learn so much at these events and am thankful for the opportunity to fly with the best pilots in the world who are so willing to share their knowledge with everyone.

Thanks to the club, for hosting us, the hospitality and organization you provide is unmatched! Thanks to my team mate Al Pernell for spotting and timing for me, Jeff Carr for radio help (you would think I would know how to program a transmitter) and to my Brother Bob for the support, plane builds, and the research on these killer new wings!

The funniest part of the event for me was watching my neighbor Lou run around the field during a round trying to get the bugs off of him (all while flying the round). He looked like Pig Pin from Charlie Brown as he ran back and forth with the swarm following him but they were relentless and would not leave. Finally after some coaching he changed from a yellow shirt to white and they left him alone.

The conditions were varied enough to keep you on your toes with one thermal so strong I was higher than I think I have ever flown (testing the limits of my new 6255 receiver) and then during other rounds with strong winds and nasty punchy little bullets (thanks for the snap flaps Jeff). As a recreational pilot I am still getting my new T2 dialed in and found myself more and more out of my comfort zone (for expense and retrieval) pushing farther and farther down wind to find the lift (go big or go home) and then circling lower and lower, one time for 1:40+ at tent height and below to get my times. I love how these new wings perform and the sight of them rushing down wind and not loosing as well as the ability to make it home is a nice site to see, I just wish you could add and subtract ballast during the flight ;-)

For the first time I was lucky enough to get to the fly-offs only besting Eric Brown (also flying a T2) by 21 points. From that time forward my performance immediately took a @!#$ and did not match my first 14 rounds. I was disappointed in myself but learned a lesson, I had read the conditions correctly and added 1oz ballast for the fly-offs and flew with it the first three rounds. After second-guessing myself during the break I pulled the ballast out for the last all up round, which really hurt me when I needed to stretch it out.

Kyle Clayton was on and was kicking all our sportsmen’s asses in the first 14 but due to equipment issues had a hard time in the last 4 which cost him.

My hat goes off to Walter Roos for the Sportsman win. I thought I might have a chance against him when I saw his plane in the tree on the first day but then I looked in the back of his van and lost all hope! If you have not had the opportunity to watch Walter fly he is a machine and not to be underestimated. It took a lot of us (and his brother Buddy) to convince him to come and compete with us in the various contest but he has jumped in with a force and continues to kick my but all over the sky!

Well done Walter……. I am glad you are moving up to the big boys and will need to fly in Expert class next time;-)

Click here to read more about the event

Posted By: Cliff Whitney @ 6:46:37 AM

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Show All » Daily News » August 2010

Thursday, August 26, 2010

New and very cool Platinum Series P-51B

The P-51B Mustang was the first Mustang to match North American’s sleek airframe with the awesome power of a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It was this Mustang that gave the Allies their first truly capable bomber escort and Luftwaffe pilots their first taste of things to come.

The E-flite Platinum Series P-51B Mustang 32e ARF expertly captures the look and feel of this landmark WWII fighter with a scale outline so faithful to form as to be practically indistinguishable from the real thing. Every detail has been pushed to the limits of model size and engineering with features like concealed pocket hinges, airfoil-shaped tail surfaces and a painted fiberglass cowl that blends seamlessly into the fuselage.

Click here to see the details of this beauty

Posted By: Cliff Whitney @ 5:00:11 PM

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Show All » Daily News » August 2010

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Check out the new Rhapsody Bipe!

The Rhapsody™ 25e combines modern styling with classic lines to give you a one-of-a-kind sport plane that’s a real standout. On the ramp, its striking UltraCote® trim scheme, along with the factory-painted fiberglass cowl and wheel pants, will turn more than a few heads.

In the air, its crisp roll rates and smooth, predictable flight characteristics will let you enjoy a wide range of sport aerobatics without any surprises. Best of all, you can have the Rhapsody 25e flying in just an evening or two thanks to handy features like the bolt-on tail and included wing jigs that make assembly a breeze.

Click here to check out all of the details

Posted By: Cliff Whitney @ 4:58:17 PM