Straight Up (oz15549)

About this Plan

Straight Up. Catapult glider model.

Quote: "Record-setting model shows the way to go in new Catapult Glider event. Straight Up, by Joe Mekina.

Catapult gliders have been around for a while in various forms, including the pole-mounted catapult variety that became popular among several free flight clubs in the late 1970s.

In the mid-1980s the Central Indiana Aeromodelers began promoting a simple set of miles with hand-held catapults. It wasn't long before the event gained popularity in local and regional meets and became a provisional AMA event in 1993.

In 1994 Catapult Glider became an official AMA event and gained further in popularity, especially in the Midwest. The event has brought many old hand-launch glider (HLG) fliers out of retirement who can now fly again, and it allows the Juniors to 'throw' nearly as hard as the adults.

The rules are simple: The contestant must launch the model with a hand-held catapult, consisting of a single loop of IA rubber with a maximum length of nine inches, mounted on a dowel with a maximum length of six inches. To keep the event simple, no limitations are put on the glider. except for a rigid-wing requirement, prohibition of auto (variable-geometry) surfaces and weight of no more than 1.5 ounces.

Six flights are scored, with a maximum flight time of two minutes per flight. All flights are scored, regardless of duration. If the contestant scores three maxes in his his series of six flights, he proceeds to the flyoff flights. The flyoff flights proceed with the same two-minute max until a max is missed. Again, all flights are scored, so consistency becomes even more important.

One way for a catapult glider to achieve its highest potential is to trim it for a nearly straight-up climb - hence this model's name. HLG fliers have long known of this technique, but since its nearly impossible to throw a HLG straight up, enough incidence was ually added to permit a somewhat more shallow launch. This increased incidence also added to consistency and helped make the launch less critical.

Because a hand-held catapult glider can be launched at any angle with consistency, this model takes full advantage of a trim technique that is nearly straight-up. Combined with its simple construction, light weight and spin-tab dethermalizer, Straight-Up makes a very competitive model. Try one or two - they are fun!

Construction: Attention to detail is the difference between an average glider and a great one!

Adhesive: Thick cyanoacrylate (CyA) glue works well, though other types of glue may be substituted if desired.

Wing: Choose a medium-weight (7-lb stock) piece of 1/8 balsa, preferably C-grain. Cut to the planform shown, then carve and sand the airfoil, being careful to maintain the high point as indicated on the plan..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

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