New Events

It seems every year at the Nationals, there is at least one full day or afternoon where it is way too windy to practice. Each time it happens, I seem to hear stories of Noblers & Chiefs wind flying in one or more of the bull sessions across the field. It sure would be great if one or more of the people capable of wind flying could bring along a plane next year and put on a demonstration for us. I have yet to see anyone do any extensive writing on the subject, any more than a brief mention here and there (one full page about using a Banshee in AAM, early 1970's & a paragraph in Larry Driskel's Geo Physical). But I do have a Monokoted Shark 15 on my wall that has never been flown that I have always been tempted to try it with.

And as much fun as Bi-Slobs are to fly, there should be a place for them. I am sure that they will become very popular once the Brodak kit is out, & I would not be suprised if someone started an unofficial event for them. I can also see a mass launch of Bi-Slobs, all doing a porpose walk at the same time in the same circle.

Just some thoughts while the dope is drying...

Curt, Good thought,it shoud be fun and fill an otherwise boring day.I heard that some people can wind fly after the engine quits,how can that be accomplished

>I do have a Monokoted
>Shark 15 on my wall
>that has never been flown

Curt! What is a Shark 15 doing on the wall!?!? Planes were meant to fly - that is why they have wings. Now go out and get that thing in the air! That's an order! Just kidding...but seriously, that plane is lonesome for the circle. It's 'plane-abuse' to keep one nailed to the wall and not let it fly.

>I heard that some people can wind fly after the engine quits,how can that be accomplished

That's what we are talking about, only entire flights. It seems that it was more popular in the U-Reely days, but I am told it is possible to hand launch and then whipping one to get it going. Pulling the propeller off helps reduce drag. The ones built just for this purpose can have non-fuel proof finishes, no landing gear, and a ball of lead in the place of a motor.

>Curt! What is a Shark 15 doing on the wall!?!?

It was given to me by a old flying buddy. I have several of his models, all waiting for his return to the hobby.

>>I heard that some people can wind fly after the engine quits,how can that be accomplished
>
>That's what we are talking about,
>only entire flights. It
>seems that it was more
>popular in the U-Reely days,
>but I am told it
>is possible to hand launch
>and then whipping one to
>get it going. Pulling
>the propeller off helps reduce
>drag. The ones built
>just for this purpose can
>have non-fuel proof finishes, no
>landing gear, and a ball
>of lead in the place
>of a motor.

I don't know if you saw it, but at the 95 NATS Gordon Delaney flew his gaint yellow twin for about 10 minutes after the engine quit - on an official flight! Gordon is one stout guy, and muscling that thing around in a 30 mph wind looked like it took everything he had. But he managed all the maneuvers under 45. A real crowd pleaser!

When I was in Lubbock, I used to wind fly all the time. The easiest thing to do is lazy eights. You whip the airplane around into the wind and give it up then whip it around into the wind on the other side and give it down. You can do it for as long as the wind (and your arm) holds. I think it helps if your airplane is a little on the nose-heavy side, as most of mine are.

In 1955, I saw George Aldrich wind fly what I recall as the entire stunt pattern with a Nobler. That was a long time ago and I was not that familiar with the pattern (whatever it was in '55), so that may be an overstatement. George told me that he wind flew for 45 minutes in a demonstration at one of the nationals.

I think wind flying is an aspect of the hobby we need to pay more attention to. It would open up some more flying time for sure.

I'm sure someone will give the reference for the Haboob article in Model Aviation.