Failed attempt at towing a small glider

[clipper453]

I bought a cheap $2 glider from the hobby store with the intention of putting my FlyCamOne2 on it and towing it behind my Super Cub to capture some "chase plane" footage.

This was my test flight of towing the glider without the FCO2 attached to see how the well the glider would tow. As you will soon see, it was probably a good idea that I decided not to attach the FCO2 on its first flight.

www.vimeo.com/742587

[sb352]

Pretty cool . Good thing for me you didnt put the camera on the glider . I , for one would have gotten sea sick. LOL

[garvey76]

;D i thought i was going to see a glider a little smaller than the cub ;D
that was never going to work, funny thou.
i must say the quality is brilliant, please try again but spend a bit more than 2 bucks

[clipper453]

I had my doubts as well, but believe me, that was the only option that particular hobby store had in stock that I thought might work.

Yesterday, I picked up one of these from HobbyTown USA for $15 that I'm going to try next (in the un-powered mode, of course):


It's significantly larger and heavier than the $2 glider. I also bought some 50 lb test fishing line from the sporting goods store to attach it with. I figure the larger wing span (24"), heavier weight, and a longer line might help.

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait and see when the wind dies down. It's been rather gusty here the past couple days.

[garvey76]

Cant wait, that will be real good if it works.
Yea also as you say use a longer line as well.
With the flycam on the glider, should make for some good video.
Good luck and lets hope old mother nature stops with the wind

[frazer1981]

Im usure if this has been posted on here before but is this what your trying to do clipper? The sound is rubbish but quite a good effect

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx_ybRLlezw

[clipper453]

frazer1981 said:

Im usure if this has been posted on here before but is this what your trying to do clipper? The sound is rubbish but quite a good effect

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx_ybRLlezw

Yeah... that's where I got the idea from, but I want to expand on it. I actually sent a message through YouTube to that guy asking what glider he used or where he got it, but he hasn't responded. But based on his comments after the video, the Predator just might fit the bill.

[frazer1981]

Yeh im intrested in how you get on!! Keep the updates coming!!

[garvey76]

If you had an old cub , lets say just the wing, tail and fuse, do you think this could be towed?
im sure a few of you out there have the parts to try it.

[frazer1981]

Even just the wing maybe with a bit of weight for stability??

[garvey76]

Maybe, need to get the tow line set up right.
i supose the weight should be on bottom of wing so it dosent flip over
ive got 3 wings, may give it a go

[frazer1981]

Yeh thats it. Weights on underside of wing and possibly at either end? I think the tow line should be long enough so that it isnt affected by the cub prop

[clipper453]

garvey76 said:

If you had an old cub , lets say just the wing, tail and fuse, do you think this could be towed?
im sure a few of you out there have the parts to try it.

You know... that's not a bad idea. I actually have my old (original) fuselage and a new wing still in the package. If the Predator doesn't work, that might be my next try.

However, I'm hoping that the Predator works out, because I want to have my Canon SD40 mounted to the Cub and the FCO2 mounted to the glider at the same time. I'm afraid that if I go with a stripped Cub as the glider, it might make things a little tough for the primary Cub to pull the glider with the added weights of the cameras.

In any case, it will most likely have to wait until Friday to try out. We had strong winds again today, and they're forecasted again for tomorrow. On Friday, they're supposed to be back down under 10 mph.

[garvey76]

YEP, you cant waist the predator now.
look forward to seeing it, remember to record the test flights too
just out of interest, have you gone lipo yet? that could be a big advantage to pulling the weight, also changing the prop may help.
good luck

[clipper453]

garvey76 said:

just out of interest, have you gone lipo yet? that could be a big advantage to pulling the weight, also changing the prop may help.

Nope. Haven't made the jump to Li-Po's just yet. I'm running 8-cell 1400 mAh NiMH's. I figure I'll go to Li-Po's when I get my next plane (which will probably be a Slow Stick).

As for the propeller, what do you suggest? (I'm still using the stock pitch and diameter.)