My Elf Glider

[msc]

Just completed mounting the servos and the dead weight in the nose. This cheap glider is only 2 channels. Very simple to assemble. I think that the fiberglass pod is a bit too thin though.

Need to find the suitable wind condition to fly it at TBP.

MS

[Sunstorm]

The Elf also does quite respectably on the Hi-start or Up-start and is quite good at signalling lift. However, it's a bit of a gas-bag in that it's slow and doesn't seem to penetrate strong breezes well.

I find that once properly trimmed, it is a decent thermal duration glider too!

[msc]

After sending my daughter for tuition, I took the Elf to TBP this afternoon. The wind was very light, so I flew the Bug first. Had a few good short flights as I tried the different face of the slope.
I noticed that the wind was picking up and I hooked up the wings of the ELF to the fuse. I had intended to test glide the glider to check the CG. As I gave it a light toss, I was very surprise that the glider floated and lifted higher and higher. The test glide turned out as the maiden flight!

The Elf was very floaty in light wind condition. I did not make any modifications at all on the control surface. The rudder authority was very sluggish and at times, I find that even with full rudder, the glider refuse to turn.

I was really excited with the flight, when I heard the familiar beep on the transmitter, telling me that the battery was below 8.4v.
With only 2 flights on the ELF, I reluctantly packed up and went back to the tuition center to pick up my daughter.

Since now I know that the ELF is such a good floater, I will be back at the TBP, when the condition is right again.

MS

[Jack_Chen]

wow, what's the damage for a plane like that? Been a mostly foam flyer, a bit scare of balsa. Wood seems a little flimsy at times.

[msc]

wow, what's the damage for a plane like that? Been a mostly foam flyer, a bit scare of balsa. Wood seems a little flimsy at times.

No major damage, just 350RMB and a brother who's traveling to China and back.

[Jack_Chen]

350 chinese yuan? wow, that's pretty affordable. Slope season is coming, thinking of getting something to try sloping. Nice and floaty and not too hard to control.

[jansonfinn]

No major damage, just 350RMB and a brother who's traveling to China and back.

Wow, that's a good price. Can pm me the website? I may be going there end of the year

[msc]

The ELF has a new tail!!

Have not touched the ELF since the last outing at TBP. Due to the sluggish responds from the rudder, I decided to give the ELF a new rudder.

I tore out the original and trace the outline on a 3/16 balsa. The width of the rudder was widen by about 5mm and I give it about 1" more height. Shaped the small piece of balsa into a wedge shape, thinning at the trailing edge.
Covered the new rudder in white (I think it looks better) and tape the rudder back.

Charged the Ni-Cad inside the nose of the fuselage.....now, all I need is for the rain to stop and the Northernly wind to start blowing consistently.

MS

[joe yap]

Way to go, Kah Marn. Adding the width may not do much but increasing the height should do the job. My Buttercups have tall, but very narrow rudders which is good enough to make them do barrel rolls.

[msc]

Way to go, Kah Marn. Adding the width may not do much but increasing the height should do the job. My Buttercups have tall, but very narrow rudders which is good enough to make them do barrel rolls.

Thanks. I'm a bit KS, both width and height increase for me.