tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107781508469155067.post1501311787807519919..comments2022-04-03T01:59:12.438-07:00Comments on Stick 'n Tissue: Sunday June 8: Gusts Ruin Safety DayMarin Aerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17453760751175483474noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107781508469155067.post-25452677682473868472008-06-17T10:09:00.000-07:002008-06-17T10:09:00.000-07:00I guess it was Safety Day for the CHP, too. They w...I guess it was Safety Day for the CHP, too. They were pulling people over all over the place. When you write that I was going "about ***" people might think I was doing 130, but actually I was only going a little faster than that other bike. The officer was very nice to give us a warning. He looked at his radar gun and said, "It could have been worse, could have been worse."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107781508469155067.post-87686755996573084432008-06-11T04:59:00.000-07:002008-06-11T04:59:00.000-07:00I wasn't there either, but as usual, I guess I'll ...I wasn't there either, but as usual, I guess I'll "have" to toss in my "two bits worth" (it used to be "two CENTS worth", but you know, with inflation and all!!). <BR/> I agree with Brian that something less than "vertical" when launching catapault gliders usually works out best, 'though I would suggest more like 45 to maybe 70 degrees from the horizontal, depending on the design and the way a particular model is trimmed. I've found this to be true with the Jim Walker folding wing "Interceptor" gliders also. The Oakland Cloud Dusters have made "Cats" kind of one of their club "specialties" for years. They even have a special version they fly once a year or so that involves a setup with a large stake and a REALLY BIG rubberband!! They build special models for this setup (stronger!!).I've only seen those fly once, and I must admit they were VERY impressive! Bordering on downright SCARY!!<BR/> As for color schemes for "Cats" or HLG's also, I too discovered many years ago that all-balsa was not only bad for finding in the dry grass, but also bad for overhead visibiliy as well (in thermals). I eventually settled on using spray-can fluorescent paint - usually pink or orange - on the top of the wingtips and stab and both sides of the tips of the vertical fin. I also found that one very light coat of sprayed BLACK (or other VERY dark color)dope, or alternatively, spray can lacquer, on the bottom of the wings (only) made a HUGE difference in overhead visibility. You would be AMAZED at how much more visible a small HLG will be from underneath at altitude with the black underwings!! <BR/> "Keep 'um flyin'!!" - KermitAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8107781508469155067.post-50698018942094936632008-06-10T16:40:00.000-07:002008-06-10T16:40:00.000-07:00I stayed home because of the forecast of breezy co...I stayed home because of the forecast of breezy conditions.<BR/>But after reading Toms incredibly optimistic descriptive, I now wish I had gone, even if it was blowin',<BR/>just to enjoy the company.<BR/><BR/>And RE: the straight up glider, it shouldnt actually be launched pure vertical, but rather tilted a bit forward...perhaps 4 degrees inclination, while facing the wind.<BR/>Catapult gliders are a lot of fun, I want to build some more.<BR/>Anyone have any plans??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com