The Glide Fast Journal

Free Podcast with composites engineer Dave Klein

Dave Klein is a serious glider flyer and he just happens to be a engineer working with composites structures on UAV's. I interviewed Dave and we chat about composite structures and how they apply to the planes we all fly. Lots of discussion on HLG/F3K/F3B technology and other subjects, techy, but no math needed to understand this stuff. Just click on the audio player to listen, or use this link to download the MP3 file to your computer. You can also dowload right from the player: RCA Klein Podcast

2010 US F3J Team Shirt Logos Leaked

Somehow the new logos leaked out on the internet, so you might as well get a first look. See the new  logos after the jump. The 2010 US F3J soaring team logos will be featured on shirts and other gear to raise funds to travel to southern France in 2010. You should be able to order stuff in a week or so: F3J Team website link I here they may have shirts at the big Visalia contest.

The New Radio Carbon Art Soaring DVD Website Is Now Online

The all new Radio Carbon Art website is now up and running. Please take a few minutes to browse and explore the new site: www.radiocarbonart.com

You now can purchase DVDs with PayPal as well as with credit cards. There are more shipping choices offered, and you can now create your own user account for easier ordering. The Handlaunch Clinic double disk DVDs prices have been cut to only $24.95, but the Bonus Pack prices are discontinued. A few of my older DVDs have been cut to $19.95. There are some less expensive shipping options for US customers, though the cheaper mail service is slower compared to Priority Mail. 

Check out the new site, everything is cleaner, easier to navigate, and faster to use. It's time to invest in the best soaring educational DVDs you can get. You can also call me to order at 888-834-2261, M-F, 10 to 5 EST. - Paul Naton

F3B Worlds Podcast with Mike Smith & Paul Naton

A special treat for all you guys. US F3B team member Mike Smith chats with me for over an hour about his experiences at this summers world championships. We talk about the team, the latest designs, flying techniques Mike learned at the worlds, and a stories from the contest.

This podcast is sponsored by my Soaring Master Class DVD series, and I hope you will support this free podcast and invest in improving your soaring skills by purchasing these fine instructional programs. Buy online at radiocarbonart.com, or give me a call to order toll-free, 888-834-2261. Download Mike Smith F3B Podcast Here is an alternate download link:  Feel free to copy, distribute, link to, and tell your friends about this podcast.

The Home Project - Its yours to keep or destroy

Though not soaring related per say, I thought the film Home by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, is an important statement on todays' most serious global problem. Wether you believe in man-made global warming or not, the fact is that mankind is having a devastating effect on the global environment which we will have to deal with one way or another. 

Paul Naton on All Things That Fly Podcast

The All Things That Fly Podcast is produced by Jamie Doug and Chris, and they talk about all things R/C, even glider stuff.  I was invited  to come on the show recently to talk about my DVDs and gliding in general.  These guys have over 100 podcasts in their collection and they are all a good listen unless you are looking for 100% glider content.  I learn a lot about electrics from the featured experts.  Down load the podcast at this link.  Check out the ATTF website here.

Carbon Is The New Black

Some of the fastest technology changes are happening in the HLG/F3K field. After some design stagnation, the Europeans are doing some cool moulded designs which are really pushing the envelope with both performance and price$$. For competition designs, launch height is king as well distance covering to reach lift. Fuselages are replacing pod and booms for greater stiffness, and wings are CNC designed and moulded for accuracy with RDS hidden aileron drive systems.

Old Gliders Never Die

Every year in Europe, a band of scale sailplane modelers obsessed with vintage designs gets together at a slope to show and fly their latest projects.  This meet originated in France, but this year they meet in Ireland, and a grand meet it was. I have the Retro Plane event on my wish list of events to attend, and you should too.  Here is a big collection of photos from the event.  As a bonus, click on the tabs at the top of the page for more vintage glider shots and events. Here's the link for Retro Plane: Old skool baby, I like carbon, but man, these planes are the coolest.

Soaring Master Class 2 Review On RC Groups

The Liftzone/rc groups website just published a review of my new training DVD Soaring Master Class 2.  If you have not seen the Soaring Master Class series, you should. The DVDs are the closest thing to having your own personal soaring coach.  Read the review online HERE:   The link for the information and ordering page is HERE:

F3J German Style Video

I found this killer video on Youtube shot by Jens, a pro tv camera man in Germany.  Nice work showing the action at a recent comp in the GDR. You won't see nicer camera work except for my videos :-).

Watch at this link:

New Sirius HLG Unboxing Photos

An exciting day at the Radio Carbon Art production studios. the arrival of the first moulded Disser wing Sirius HLG in the US, and its all mine. I haven't been this excited about an un-boxing since my Mac Pro arrived from Apple.

Check out the photos of this extraordinary high-tech HLG on RC Groups at this link.

HLG Master Class Preview

Here is the preview from my new DVD, the Handlaunch Master Class 1. In this short clip, Bruce Davison talks about reading lift on launch, and shows you a cool practice drill which will help you improve your skills and prepare you for contest flying.  The new DVD is being very well received so order your copy now and start improving your HLG flying. Click here to order.

Commercial spot for the Bruce F3K

Bruce Davidson, star of the new HLG Master Class 1 DVD, is having a F3K contest at his private thermal field at his home in Shelbyville, Kentucky.  Here is a short video we shot to promote the event.  Funny stuff.

Podcast Interview with HLG Pro Bruce Davidson

Want to listen to an hour long interview with one of the world's top HLG pilots?  Sure ya do.

After finishing a grueling 2 days of filming Bruce teaching the Handlaunch Master Class DVD, I sat him down and interviewed for an hour long podcast.  We discuss the latest trends in HLG flying techniques and airplane designs and how they are effecting the sport.  Other subjects include flying without a rudder with his Sirius, his trip to the German Open F3K contest, and how his approach to contests has changed over the years.  Click the link to download the MP3 file to your computer.  Pass it around!

Download Bruce Davidson Podcast

You Can Order The New Handlaunch Master Class 1 Now

You can now pre-order the new Handlaunch Master Class DVD at the Radio Carbon Art website.  The first in a series, the master class taught by national HLG champion Bruce Davidson will show you how to apply the latest techniques to improve your HLG experience.  Just visit the Master Class page at my site for complete info: HLG Master Class Info Page  The DVD will be shipping by July 10th.  This DVD is going to be great.

Dynamic Soaring Speed Record On Wired.com

RC soaring rarely gets any mainstream press coverage. I saw this article on Wired Magazine's website covering the recent dynamic soaring speed record of 396 mph set a few months ago.  I am sure the included video clip will blow some people's minds.  Read the article here.

New Airtronics SD-10G Radio Demo Video

The new 10 channel Airtronics SD-10G 2.4 radio system is about to hit the market and champs Skip Miller & Cody Remington (stars of the Soaring Master Class 2 DVD) show off some of the cool features of the new system.  Some innovative features just for sailplane guys though the lack of onboard model memory is a disappointment. Give this thing a 5 buck 1 Gig card for god sakes!

Soaring Nirvana Found?

I think I have discovered where I want to live someday.  This place has it all.  Good food, surfing, wind and weather, and perhaps the best slope soaring in the world.  Where is this place?

Soaring Master Class 2 Trailer

Finally got the Master Class 2 DVD trailer done and you can watch it here! 

You are going to enjoy learning from these true soaring legends show you how its done. If you go to my YouTube Channel, you watch this trailer in High Quality. Enjoy! When you are done watching, go to the ordering page and get yourself a copy of the Soaring Master Class 2 DVD. 

You Can Now Pre-order the Soaring Master Class 2 DVD

 

My new DVD Soaring Master Class 2 is now on sale on the Radio Carbon Art website. Featured pros are 4-time F3B WC Daryl Perkins, F3J youth WC Cody Remington, soaring masters Skip Miller and Tom Keisling, and returning instructor Mike Smith.  An incredible depth of talent share their tips on sailplane set up, soaring techniques and flying competitions.  For more information on the DVD's content and to order, go to the Radio Carbon Art website at this LINK.

The demand for this new training DVD is huge, so order now. If you liked the Master Class 1, you will love the new DVD. Preview clips and more information will be posted here in the next week.  

Finding Lift with LIDAR

I found this interesting video interview with soaring legend Dick Johnson who discusses the future of soaring and the use of LIDAR to find thermals while aloft.

Follow this link to Kempton Izuno's blog to watch the Quicktime video at this LINK:

(Link is now working)

My Favorite Video of the last 2 years

A non-soaring post, but important non the less.  The most inspiring and hopeful video work I have seen in many years. You can watch the HD version on Vimeo. No need to explain further.  Enjoy.  Peace thru Art.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Southwest Classic

Just back from a few days of chillin' & filmin in Phoenix at the Southwest Classic. Nice 75-80 degree days, big old soft thermals, and lots of world-class pilots to chat with.

I was shooting footage for the Master Class 2 DVD which I am already working on. Mike Smith returns sharing some great new soaring tips and guest star/teacher Daryl Perkins allowed me to follow him as he set up his new Icon 2, showing me some great tips on launch set up which will certainly be on the new DVD.  

The best part was having the top pilots and timers mic'd up during the contest showing you how they work together and the techniques they use for winning contests.  Teams included Mike Smith and Daryl Perkins, Mike and David Hobby, Tom Keisling and Mike Seid, and Skip Miller and junior world champ and SWC winner Cody Remington.

 

A special video for my BLOG fans.  This is a remix of a clip from my full-scale gliding movie Redline Sky.  This epic footage shot by Jonathan Tappan at Torrey Pines captures amazing beach runs and fly-bys by some insane pilots. Music by Dirty Vegas. This clip won't be up for long.  Watch in high quality if you have fast internet, click the right hand player arrow and choose HQ. The Redline Sky DVD info page is at this LINK:

US F3B Team Needs You! Get Your Gear.

 

US soaring pilots have to step up now!  The 09 U.S. F3B team needs to raise $4000.00 by March 15th in order to get a $7000.00 matching donation.   Even if you are not a Yank, you can help out!

You can help in many ways.  First, you can buy raffle tickets online which will get you a chance to win any or all of a long list of great prizes. Second, you can purchase the OFFICIAL F3B t-shirts and other apparel designed by Paul Naton (that's me).  Third, you can make a cash donation which will earn you much soaring karma for the next year. 

 

Go to the official team website and order tickets, buy shirts, give money, and meet your team.  Time is short, help them out now, earn them the matching funds. 

You can visit the team website at http://www.teamusaf3b.com/  Remember, they need $4K more to get the matching funds. Don't wait.  

You can see the team logos after the jump:

Liftzone Reviews Soaring Master Class DVD

The Liftzone has just published an extensive review of my latest DVD, Soaring Master Class 1.   Reviewer George Voss gives a thorough overview of the training video's content and comments on the value of the instruction to pilots of all skill levels.

You can read the full review here at the Liftzone on RC Groups.

Free Vector Art For Gliders

If you are finishing a new scale glider, modern, vintage or PSS, you might want to check out this site which has a ton of vector art files for numbers, logos, and instruments.  The file formats vary, but are in Corel Draw, Illustrator and WMF. Vectors are scalable with out resolution loss and you can print them in any size. Check out the collection at this link on RC-net.de.  Cool Stuff. 

Podcast Interview with design legend Charlie Richardson

I have been saving this special interview until now.  When I was in San Diego filming the Soaring Master Class DVD, I spent an afternoon with my old friend and soaring mentor Charlie Richardson.  Charlie owned CR Aircraft Models and designed and sold some of the most innovative gliders of the 1980's and '90's.  Glider designs like the Renegade, Climmax, Contender, Turbo, and Raider are true classics.

Listen to my hour-long podcast interview in MP3 format (47MB) as we discuss Charlie's start in R/C, his design process, and how his cutting-edge gliders came to be.   Download The CR Podcast  

This podcast can be used freely and copied without restriction.  Please support this and future podcasts by buying a few of my DVDs at www.radiocarbonart.com

Soaring Master Class-Another Preview

Another preview clip from the Soaring Master Class DVD.  Mike talks about flying in wind, and he catches a thermal with his Ceres in 15kt wind at Poway.  Imagine what the rest of the DVD is like!  Enjoy...........

You can watch a higher quality version by clicking this link, then chooisng "watch in high quality" in the YouTube viewer pane.

The Mike Smith Interview Podcast Interview

Mike Smith has been 'on fire' the last couple of years on the competition circuit but many don't know of him. After finishing a weekend of video taping the Soaring Master Class DVD which Mike teaches, I sat him down for an informal interview/Podcast asking him questions about his long soaring career and influences. The Podcast is about 30 minutes, 24 megs, 128k MP3 format file. You may download, copy, and distribute this Podcast as you wish.  Enjoy!

Download the Mike Smith Interview Podcast Here: Download smc_podcasts.mp3

Here is the LINK to the Soaring Master Class DVD Information page.