Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

In the last thread Dihedral was brought up and I understood it to be the relative "V" where the glider's wings meet. So I went and asked Google to explain Dihedral, big mistake, words such as the, and, or etc I understood, most else was technical stuff way beyond my capacity.
Could some one explain how a glider's wings work please. Looking I see varying amount of "V" and also curvature at the wing tip of varying arcs. There is also talk of 2 sets of ailerons as well as flaps and Bias I think it was called.
Looking just at the Radian Base and Pro there appears to be great similarity in the shape of the wings when looking down on them but a vast difference when looking from the front of the plane.
Explanation or where to look to learn this stuff would be greatly appreciated.
N :itsok_170:

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

You can try having a look here ....

http://www.av8n.com/how/


or here ....

http://www.rc-airplane-world.com/how...airplanes.html


:cheers:

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

Thank you that is exactly the kind of reading I need.
N

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

The Radian has more dihedral than the Pro because it needs more yaw/roll coupling to make the rudder more effective in rolling the plane. With the Pro you can bank it quickly to whatever roll angle you want.

If you are trying to decide between the regular Radian and the Pro, go with the regular one.
For this model at least having ailerons and flaps just makes the plane heavier and come down faster. One possible advantage of the Pro would be the ability to put the flaps down and the ailerons up (called "Crow") to be able to land it in a smaller field. With the Radian you have to manage your airspeed a bit better on approach.



Pat MacKenzie

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

Pat, thank you for the explanation, that with the reading Arn suggested is going to keep me pretty busy waiting for warm weather.
I have purchased a Radian Pro Spektrum DX8 TX combination that I just could not turn down. I have also managed to get a used Radian base and picked up a UMX Radian for travelling with.
I am going to be busy.

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

The Radian is a great glider. I taught a fella last summer on one.
I agree with Pat. The non pro or RES glider is the best choice but not necessary for beginners.

RES=
Rudder, Elevator , spoilers :)

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

As others have said, dihedral is used with a rudder only aircraft to induce a bank when you want to turn. Without it the plane will just skid and not bank.

Dihedral also has a self stabilizing effect that is a bonus to beginners. It moves the center of lift above the center of gravity to give a pendulum effect that helps keep the plane upright.

The dihedral/rudder controlled gliders in smaller sizes have a distinct advantage over those with ailerons for thermal work because they are lighter and can pick up and use weaker lift. (like the original Radian) Those with ailerons are more desirable for slope soaring where lift is abundant and aerobatics is the flavor of the day. (Radian Pro)

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

I am still a bit confused about the relationship between Dihedral and the large arc at the wing tips. Are those arcs just additional dihedral? Do they emphasis dihedral? Or do they have another purpose?
I note now that I have both the base and pro that the pro does not have the wing tip arc.

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

I am no expert at this but I would say that the wingtip arch is just another form of dihedral.

Re: Trying to Learn Gliding Terms
 

That is what I figured but I am on such a steep learning curve, sometimes I try to overcomplicate issues. Must keep KISS in mind.