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| Sailplanes / Electro-gliders Discuss quiet flight in Canada. |
Topic Review (Newest First)
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| 05-13-2013 12:15 PM | |
| annte |
Re: Control throws for Windfree An update. The maiden flight of my Windfree went very well. I was lucky to have the help of fellow SOGGI member, Ray Munro. The plane flew beautifully and I hope to get it in the air again soon for practice flights, now that my nerves are steadier. What is it about maiden flights?? Pure terror.  Dan's comments about needing more rudder were correct. The plane is a bit sluggish about turning. I'm going to see what I can do about increasing the rudder throw. I'm looking forward to flying this glider and getting to know it! Ann |
| 05-02-2013 11:08 AM | |
| ddruck |
Re: Control throws for Windfree Yes, kind of have a soft spot for the old woodies, I love my Aquila, super floater. For lots of info on the old birds and some reminiscing this is a great thread, has some stuff on Windfree. I must change the way I fly this thing, lot of people have success with it I just can't get the performance it should have out of it. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1574114 |
| 05-02-2013 08:55 AM | |
| B.Welwood |
Re: Control throws for Windfree Very nice looking Windfree Dan. I remember mine came out nose heavy, probably due to the servos and battery packs used in the day. Yes, you needed to fly them faster than the Olympics and other floaters and they were a challenge to spot land, especially in the wind. One of the guys built a polyhedral version and had some better success with landing accuracy. I flew mine in the 1975 Nationals, standard class... came in 5th place. I had a good time hooning mine until it demolished at the end of the season. After the Windfree, I was lucky enough to acquire a Dodgson Todi... kinda like a Windfree on steroids. It also needed to fly fast but with the flaps spot landing was easier to do. I've had a love affair with Dodgson airplanes ever since and still have a Pivot Plus that will fly the slope one day when the wings get covered and the fuse painted. Heading over to the LHS to pick up some servos for a Fox slope kit that is in transit. Hope you don't mind my little trip down memory lane... Bob. |
| 05-02-2013 07:33 AM | |
| annte |
Re: Control throws for Windfree Good to know, Dan. Thanks for sharing your experience. I will post my impressions after getting a chance to fly it. It was a challenging build for me. I only hope it flys as well as it looks! Ann |
| 05-01-2013 11:58 PM | |
| ddruck |
Re: Control throws for Windfree I would be interested how you find flying your Windfree. I am having love - hate relationship with mine. It was scratch built and pretty beat up now. It is short coupled, so elevator throw is quite sensitive so it does not need much. If you have the long ply arm on it per plan it is fine for maiden and then adjust. Rudder is, to me, a bit undersize and sluggish to respond and needs as much as you can get. CG at 3/4" from the front of the front wire back is a good start, I fly it a bit more back than that, but not much. Flies terrible nose heavy. It definitely needs to be flown fairly fast, at slow speed it drops a wing easily. It is no floater, with no lift, it comes down fairly fast but it has legs and covers ground well with decent penetration. Can handle good amount of wind quite well. I converted my to electric, total weight 32oz. https://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/albu...pictureid=3511 Dan |
| 05-01-2013 08:10 PM | |
| annte |
Re: Control throws for Windfree Thanks for the quick responses! This Wind free is scratch built and there was no info about the throws on the plans (or on the internet). This is the first glider I've built with a flying stab and I wasn't sure what elevator throws to use. I really appreciate the input! I will start out with the cg as per the plans and go from there. Hope to have it flying by the weekend. Cheers Ann |
| 05-01-2013 07:58 PM | |
| B.Welwood |
Re: Control throws for Windfree It has been many years since I flew my Windfree. For rudder, try to get about 45 degrees of throw each way. For most flying, you will use much less as rudder response is quite good. For elevator, shoot for approx. 1/4 in. each way from centre at the leading edge. Fine tune your throws to suit your taste. My Windfree flew really great until I began to push it "beyond the envelope". Diving with hard pull-ups fatigued the wing wires to the point where it would go anhedral easily. Sadly, it crashed when the stab fluttered during a high speed pass. Windfrees are great thermalling gliders when the winds are light. They fly very well inverted, Mark Smith worked thermals inverted with his. Enjoy your Windfree, I'm sure you will not regret getting one. Bob. |
| 05-01-2013 07:48 PM | |
| Dale Hunter |
Re: Control throws for Windfree Double post. I seen you looking Bob, the wind was perfect here in Camrose today for my slope. Yes I thought of you, I didn't make it out either. -Dale- That's my edit. 100% free webcam site! | Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! | Watch free live sex cam - easy as 1-2-3 |
| 05-01-2013 07:48 PM | |
| Dale Hunter |
Re: Control throws for Windfree Elevator 15-20* Rudder 30+*, 30 would be a fine starting point. Not real critical, I feel these would be a good starting point. Do you have the ballance point, hope you have the plans? Don't make it too nose heavy. Some think making a glider nose heavy will help tame it down. Just works against you. Likewise stay with-in the recommendations. Hope this helps. -Dale- 100% free webcam site! | Awesome chicks and it is absolutely free! | Watch free live sex cam - easy as 1-2-3 |
| 05-01-2013 07:12 PM | |
| annte |
Control throws for Windfree Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone will know what the control throws should be for a Windfree. I don't want to find out the hard way...  Thanks for any help. Ann |
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