From: bryan@isrc.sandia.gov (Jon R Bryan)
Subject: Re: Some Glider Questions...
Organization: Sandia National Labs, Org. 1600, Albq., NM
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 22:18:28 GMT

frei@astro.Princeton.EDU (Zsolt Frei) writes:
: 
: I just decided to get into this hobby starting with some simple gliders.
... 
: I decided to have as much information as I can before ordering anything.
... 
: After absorbing all the above information I still have some questions:
: 
: - Radio: If somebody *WANTS* to stay with polyhedral gliders do you
:   still suggest to buy a 4 channel system, or a simple 2 channel AM
:   system is enough? 

I have Futaba Conquest FM 4-channel radios.  I love 'em, but you must
realize that there is _always somebody_ on the net who has a contrary
opinion.  Buy a radio.  It will be okay.  Or not.  That's the way life
is.

: - Kit: Can I use STANDARD SERVO-s in the 2 meter planes???  

Lots of 2-meter planes can use standard servos (like Futaba S148's).

:   Wing loading is a key factor? Lower wing loading stays up longer?

Don't worry about it.  Lots of _really_ high performance sailplanes,
besides being expensive, are relatively heavy.  Ideally, you want an
airplane that will fly slow, fly fast, and turn well.  My old Olympic II
_will not_ fly fast, unless you don't mind shedding wingtips.  On the
other hand, flying slow with more sophisticated airplanes requires
spoilers or flaps and therefore more radio channels.

: - Hi-Start: There is very little talk about hi-starts in the FAQ file.
:   Any instructions on how to use them? Which one to buy? 300 feet or
:   800 feet versions? Can I operate it alone?

Find someone else who flies.  Ask for help.  Use their hi-start.  Short
ones are great for practicing landings.  Bigger airplanes need more
oomph.  Once you've launched a few times you'll have no trouble doing it
by yourself.

: - Covering: Kits listed in the FAQ file do not contain any covering.
:   What can I use to cover them? Monokote (and alike) is/are the only
:   solution? Can I use Japanese paper with tightening lacquer?

Monokote comes in a lot of colors and isn't hard to use.  I recently
tried Oracover and was impressed.  Nobody uses silkspan and dope any
more.  ;)

:   Do I need the heat gun, or the sealing iron is enough?

A heat gun is cheap and makes the job a lot easier.  Seal the edges with
the iron and shrink the stuff between the ribs with the gun (on built-up wings).
You can get by with just the iron on sheeted surfaces.

: - Misc: Besides kit, radio, hi-start, covering, iron, epoxy; what else
:   do I need to get started? FAQ mentions '$60 for a 2 meter glider and
:   other supplies'. What are those other supplies? 

A good knife or two with lots of spare blades, a small razor saw, a plane
(I greatly prefer my Master Airscrew over the X-acto), and a sanding block
are just about bare minimum.  Several different sanding blocks with different
grits are very nice (180 grit on one will almost substitute for the plane).
I have an aluminum T-bar block 12" long that I really like.  It's easy to make
your own by glueing sandpaper to something.  It's nice to have lots of
different shapes and sizes.  Oh, and several metal straightedges in
different lengths can make your life a whole lot easier.  A triangle or
two for making things square.  A couple of packages of clothespins to
use as clamps.  A few small C-clamps when you need more pressure.  A
roll of waxed paper.  Scissors.  You'll collect things as you go along.

Have fun!
-- 
Jon R. Bryan	(505) 844-2015	<=>	bryan@isrc.sandia.gov
Sandia National Laboratories, Intelligent System Sensors and Controls
 
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc