Electro-Glide (oz14374)

 

Electro-Glide (oz14374) by Don Sobbe 1991 - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Electro-Glide. 2m wing. This is a supplemental plan to build enlarged wings for the Electro Streak (oz11911) design, taking the wingspan up from 44 in to 79 in. This plan shows only the wings.

Quote: "Having It All: Aerobatics or sailplane, why not have the best of both worlds - build this sailplane wing for your Electro Streak and you can! Electro-Glide, by Don Sobbe.

About three years ago I backed into electric flying because of my involvement with a kit manufacturer. I needed a model to evaluate the performance of several electric motors for a kit that I was to engineer for them. Well, at the time I thought, wont this be fun. I'm going to fly models that stagger around the sky imitating home sick man hole covers! Then, I had the good fortune to meet Tom Stryker, designer of what was to later become the Great Planes Electro Streak (oz11911). I was impressed with the model's acrobatic capabilities and built one from his plans. I've had a lot of fun with that model and another one of Tom's designs the Electric Hots (oz4086), for which I did the kit engineering. These models really perform! And, obviously, I've changed my mind about electric airplanes.

We all have certain types of models and flying activities that appeal to us more than others. I enjoy the discipline and precision of acrobatic and scale flying. But for pure fun, I also like the challenge of thermal soaring. At times, I've even speculated about how to combine these radically different flight envelopes into one model. But, alas, just a dream.

Then, one day, while I was sitting in the pit area waiting for my battery charger to pump up the flight pack for my Electro Streak. I noticed a long line of puffy clouds marching over the flying field. I kicked myself for not having brought a glider along. Just for the heck of it, I launched my Electro Streak, climbed up into thermal country and shut off the motor. Since my Electro Streak has an extended wing, 48 in instead of the standard 44, I wanted to see if it would at least stay up in what looked to
he strong lift.

Thirty-live minutes later my Electro Streak touched down with enough power left in the flight pack for another three minutes of flying. I look a long hard look at that model. Hmmm, the fuselage and tail looked like a two meter glider. What if I were to design a wing?

The photo [main pic] shows my Electro Streak with a two meter wing mounted on it. I call it the Electro-Glide (sorry Harley- Davidson). The Electro Streak wing is lying in front. With this combination you can convert from a fast acrobatic model to a real thermal machine in seconds, just by swapping wings; almost two models in one. The best part is that you get great performance from both configurations without changing any of the equipment. Not even the prop!

This wing handles extremely well. Rate of climb, penetration, stall recovery, and rudder authority are very good. Sensitivity to lift is excellent. Recently, I had an opportunity to fly my Electro-Glide in the same thermal with one of the new Graupner electric gliders. l was able to stay up in weak lift, and even gain some altitude, while the other model slowly returned to the ground. That surprised me, as Graupner designs a pretty good glider!

The only negative comment I have about this combination is that, after establishing a banked turn, you can release the controls and the model will continue to turn until opposite rudder is applied. It's nothing serious, and the wing has proven to be stable even in rough air.

The wingtip shape may seem a little unusual. But, if you really want to study energy management and drag reduction, fly electric models! The wing tip is a very low drag design that incorporates washout. The wing breaks into three pieces for transport and uses a locking mechanism that is easy to build, self-aligns and allows assembly and disassembly without any tools. It also releases the outboard panels in the event of a rough landing, which minimizes possible damage, So, if you have an Electro Streak, or are about to get one, here's an opportunity to get two models for almost the price of one.

Construction: If you can build a straight Electro Streak wing, this one will be a snap, so I'll just hit the high spots. We'll start with the center panel. Use a plane and sanding block to make a 3/8 wide bevel in the bottom trailing edge sheet. It doesn't have to be a feather edge. Its purpose is just to reduce the trailing edge thickness. Pin it in place. Elevate the bottom spar with a strip of 1/16 balsa before pinning it to the plan..."

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Electro-Glide (oz14374) by Don Sobbe 1991 - model pic

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