Stabi-Launch Tailless (oz16343)

About this Plan

Stabi-Launch Tailless. Free flight towline glider model. Wingspan 42 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 21/10/2025: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "That towline gliders are tricky to launch is the unanimous opinion of all model builders. Gliders are usually adjusted for a tight-circling glide so as to take advantage of the smallest thermal, and, because of this adjustment, are balky about heading into the wind long enough to reach the full 100-feet altitude allowed by the AMA Rules. They'll either release long before maximum altitude is obtained, or will climb off to one side because of their circle adjustment.

Henry Struck, well known National Contest winner, cooked up a clever gadget, nicknamed the 'Golf Stick' to eliminate this difficulty in launching. It consisted of a simple stick with a rudder at one end and a series of hooks at the other which attached to the towline. The effect on the model was that of an oversized rudder to keep it always heading into the wind. Then, when peak altitude was reached, the golf stick fell off, leaving the model on its own to begin circling. This mechanism, thanks to Henry, proved a cure-all for launching most conventional-type towline gliders.

But with flying-wing gliders, the trouble in launching started all over again. Tailless models can be adjusted to practically turn on a dime, a feature that is swell for hunting thermals, but not so good for towing purposes. So, taking a tip from Struck's experiences, we devised the Stabi-launch method for launching flying-wing gliders. The idea in a nutshell is simply this: A rudder and stabilizer is attached to the glider during the towing period to increase the stability of the model. Then, when maximum altitude is reached, the tail unit drops off, and presto, you have a flying-wing glider all set to begin sniffing out thermals.

The stabi-launch method accomplishes the perfect launch, and yet the mechanism is extremely simple to construct. There are no built-up parts. The rudder and stabilizer are made of sheet balsa, and can be just as effective when made from cardboard.

The glider shown here is an extremely good performer, showing unusual ability to soar in the slightest riser. Its stability proves that a flying-wing can be more stable than the normal-type job. This is the result of a carefully designed wing outline and a discreetly chosen rib section. The airfoil is the Albatross section, so far the best rib for use in flying-wings because of its small center of pressure movement.

We know that tailless craft have a great many advantages over the more standard types, the most notable feature being that they offer less drag in flight. Up until very recently, model flying-wings have been more or less in the background of aerodynamic development, despite the fact that experiments with that type of craft were carried on long before tail assemblies were added..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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