The Glide Fast Journal

Black & Decker Dust Buster Lithium Battery Upgrade Hack

I had a classic Black & Decker Dust Buster vacuum in my shop for years as they are great for cleaning up table top debris and sanding dust while working on r/c gliders.

About 2 years ago, the vac's RPMs would start to fall quickly after a few seconds even after a full charge. I suspected a failing battery pack, and put this now useless unit in storage even though it had only a few total running hours on it.

I was putting together the shop space in my new house and found the old Buster in a box with other workshop junk. I love to recycle old machines so I poured myself a cold Porter and started to disassemble the unit to check out that old failing battery pack. The Buster says 14.4 volts on the side so I was already thinking of putting in a 4S Lithium Ion or Lipo pack that would match that rated voltage.

The included photos show the internals and the wiring changes I made.

The Buster comes apart easily, (warranty voided!) and I found a huge plastic battery box inside with a 12S 1500mah NiCD pack inside. I knew that some of the cells might be bad, and tested the voltage of each, looking for any reading under 1.1v. Two cells were at 1v, and another was at 1.1v. The rest of the pack was at 1.2v, though I suspected some memory effects had reduced the packs capacity. Total weight of the pack was 19 oz.- 538 grams!

For a replacement battery I picked a 40C rated Thunder Power 4S 2200 Lipo which was no longer flight worthy, but still fine for low amp draw applications. You could use a 4S Li-on or Li-Fe pack for this application/hack as well. This battery had the old TP style balance connector on it and the wires were very short, so I just plugged the balance connector into a spare TP to JST-XH adapter board which I could then plug into any of my Lipo chargers. Total battery weight was now just 10 oz. - 283 grams!

I Got A Hobie Hawk After 42 Years Of Wanting One

I first saw the Hobie Hawk glider advertised in the surfing and sailing magazines that I was reading when I was fifteen, that's way back in 1975. I always wanted to try RC airplanes since I was a kid, but I didn't have the money or an adult already flying to get me started. While I seen early gliders in magazines like Model Air Plane News, the Hobie Hawk seemed to be the coolest toy in the world and I wanted to some day pilot one. Now I knew all about designer Hobie Alter, both from his surfing innovations to his bad-ass Hobie Cat sailboats. If Hobie was making an RC glider, it must be the best.

By '75 I was a crack junior sailor and already had many hours on Hobie 14's and had just started learning to master the bigger 16 with it's trapeze hiking system. Every once in a while I'd see a Hobie Hawk ad and lust after it. Never thought that 30 years later I'd be making teaching videos about R/C Soaring and that the Hobie Hawk was long out of production and now a piece of nostalgic California industrial design history.

A few months ago I got a call from a local flyer who was moving and selling off some his large glider fleet. Told me he had a Hobie Hawk for sale for only a hundred bucks, was I interested? I didn't even think of negotiating the price as I knew used Hobie's were going for really premium prices especially if they were in good original condition. Sold sight unseen! (A Hawk ARF was $129.00!) More text and photos after the jump.

Vintage Prue 215 Glider In Flight Video

The last flying example of a Prue 215A sailplane flies at the 2016 International Vintage Glider Meet at Harris Hill, NY. Owner/pilots are Todd Schultz and Jason Knerr of California. This glider is part of the collection of the Golden Age Flight Museum, visit at www.goldenageflightmuseum.org. I shot and edited footage from my Canon HD camera and Mobius action cams mounted on the glider.

The Radio Carbon Art Holiday sale: Save 20% off every Video program

It's time for the Radio Carbon Art Holiday sale. Use the coupon code soaringsanta to save 20% off all Digital Downloads & DVDs. Just enter the code at checkout. Coupon offer ends Dec. 25th. Code does not apply to the upcoming Thermal Masterclass #2 or the Soaring Master Class set.

Help Me Create The Next Great Thermal Soaring Video!

The first Thermal Master Class has been so successful that I've been working on the next video in the series, the Thermal Soaring Master Class #2. I do need your help though!

I'm asking all of my thousands of customers to help me get this film made. All you need to do is to simply pre-order this new video as soon as you can. You'll be getting another highly educational video to improve your own skills but you will also be helping me to make another video which will benefit soaring pilots all over the world. For me, it's always been about spreading the passion and knowledge of R/C soaring far and wide.

You can pre-order the Thermal Soaring Master Class #2 for only $16.95, Digital or DVD editions. You do have the option of paying just $5.00 more to support us, click the Beloved Patron radio button to improve your Karma.

I'm also going to give all those who pre-order this new project access to some exclusive video content I'm making just for you special supporters.

Click Here to read about & pre-order the Digital Edition
Click Here to read about & pre-order the DVD Edition

And for those of you who have not yet purchased the first Thermal Soaring program, I'm offering a great deal if you order both videos together, just $29.95 for Digital or the DVD editions.
Click Here to order the Thermal Master Class Digital set
Click Here to order the Thermal Master Class DVD set

Thanks! - Paul Naton   Radio Carbon Art

New Tutorial On R/C Thermal Soaring Techniques

http://www.radiocarbonart.com/tsmcdd/ In this tutorial on r/c thermal soaring I talk about the complex nature of low level thermals and how they tend to merge making larger thermal structures. To learn more about advanced r/c thermal soaring techniques, get my new Soaring Master Class video training program by Radio Carbon Art at the link above.

This new video is available to purchase either as a high quality DRM-Free Digital Download or on DVD, this program has a full money-back guarantee. This 2 hour HD quality video is presented in a classroom format that includes 18 detailed sessions covering a wide variety of subjects from reading complex wind shift patterns to the finer points of setting up your glider so it reacts quickly to changes in vertical velocities.

ALES & F5J Contest Tips & Lessons Learned Article By Paul Naton

I wrote a detailed article about some contest techniques and lessons I learned from this years 2016 Polecat ALES/F5J contest. Read the full article after the jump.

Paul Naton Wins 2016 Polecat ALES RC Soaring Contest

Hey guys, I just won the 2016 Polecat ALES two day contest flying my Euphoria 4m F5J glider. The Polecat is the largest electric launch contest in North America with about 70 pilots competing. Conditions were excellent both days but you had to hit your times and high landing points EVERY flight or you were going to be well down the standings. The tops guys were usually only 50 points apart. I won Saturday, was third on Sunday, but then dominated the 3 round 100 meter launch flyoffs to take the overall first place mug. - Paul Naton - Radio Carbon Art Productions

Another R/C Thermal Soaring Article & Video

I just posted another thermal soaring tutorial and article on the Radio Carbon Art website Blog. This time the video is from an  onboard camera on my Xplorer 3 F5J and I talk about differential settings and other tuning tips for electrics. Click on over the RCA site and check out the video and read the entire text article. Click Here:

FREE and Cool Thermal How-to Video and Article

I just posted a unique thermal soaring tutorial and article on the Radio Carbon Art website Blog. The video is from an  onboard camera on my Euphoria F5J and I narrate on what you are seeing and how the plane is set up for maximum thermaling performance. Pop over the RCA site and check out the video and read the text. Click Here:

Just Released: Thermal Soaring Master Class with Paul Naton

What a crazy month, glad to have my new r/c glider training video the Thermal Soaring Master Class finished. But the fun doesn't stop, it's promotion time, a boring but vital part of the soaring film business. The scope of this unique project got a bit bigger than planned, but in the end the extra work and time required to complete the 2 hour+ long Thermal Soaring Master Class was worth it. Thank you all for the record number or pre-orders. Please watch the new preview trailer which gives and overview of the content with a short sample. Click here to order the $19.95 Digital edition and Click Here to order the $24.95 DVD.

Want the new video for FREE? If you order the Thermal Soaring two video set which includes the Secrets of Thermal Soaring and the High Performance Thermal Soaring (already discounted) and get the new Thermal Soaring Master Class at NO charge. 2 for 1 baby. For those few who don't yet own the three best thermal instructional videos on the planet. Deal ends May 31st. Click here to order the $29.95 Digital Set and Click Here to order the $39.95 DVD Set. 

Wind Prediction Tool for RC Glider Flyers

Wind prediction and tracking is a big part of flying rc gliders and sailplanes. Wether you fly slope or thermal, knowing when the wind will blow and how much helps you pick a site, the right planes to bring, and how much ballast to carry. Local weather forecasts are good at giving you a basic overview of coming weather and wind, but there are some other cool tools coming online that help you visualize wind patterns at various altitudes and locations. One of my favorite new sites is https://www.windyty.com/  This site gives a moving and dynamic look at wind patterns at any spot in the world. Great for seeing storms, fronts, and other wind flow patterns. The more you know about wind, the better you can fly in it. Go to the site and play, its a deep app.

My Charger Set Up - Revolectrix GT500 & Hitec X2 AC

A short clip that was cut from the final version of the training video program the R/C Electric Sailplane Clinic 3. I show off a few new battery chargers added to my shop including the dual-channel Hitec X2 and the Revolectrix GT500. Details of the charging system of the GT500 are also demonstrated.  The complete 2.5 hour Electric Clinic r/c sailplane training video is available to purchase either as a high quality DRM-Free Digital Download or on DVD.     http://www.radiocarbonart.com/ELC3DD/  

Free Airbrushing seminar with master PSS painter Brain Laird

Watch a 30 minute Airbrushing seminar with master PSS builder and painter Brain Laird. Brian talks about what gear, paint, and supplies you'll need to but a professional and authentic finish on slope models both modern and WW II. You can watch this video free on my Radio Carbon Art site at this link: http://www.radiocarbonart.com/pages/Videos/Podcasts.html
This seminar was shot for my 2 hour documentary PSS Masters released back in 2004. Enjoy! Paul Naton

Download Ten Full-Length Films Only $27.95

I want more people to see and enjoy the soaring films I have produced over the last 15 years. It's winter, football is almost over, and what better way to get inspired for the spring season than to watch one of my classic and unique soaring films.

I did something a bit crazy, I packaged all 10 of my full-length classic soaring films together at a price that is affordable to everyone. For only $27.95 (this is a limited time offer) you can download all TEN films which you can watch, keep forever and transfer to any device you own. That's just $2.75 for each full length film and over 14 hours of content. You get to download the Digital Editions of the following ten films from my film collection:

Just Want To Fly - Just Fly 2 - Endless Lift - Endless Lift 2 - Endless Lift 3 - Best of Scale Soaring - Pro Aero Tow - International HLG - Soar Utah Adventure - PSS Masters

Click Here To Order The 10 Film Set Now

FAA Drone and RC aircraft registration fiasco

In a sad attempt to make the skies in the US safe from Unmanned Air Vehicles, the FAA proclaimed that all RC air vehicle pilots must now register and get a unique ID number that must written on or inside any and all RC vehicles said pilot owns. Obviously this registration paranoia comes from the explosion of autonomous drones and FPV aircraft and the untrained masses flying said machines in airspace shared by full size aircraft.

I'm not going to get into the politics and minutia of the new regulations, but I am a firm opponent of unnecessary regulation hastily written that effects thousands of hobbyists and modelers in the US who have safely flown in shared airspace for many years. This registration also goes against current laws already in place.

Just Released: Electric Sailplane Clinic #3 Training Video

I just finished the third training video in the Electric Sailplane educational series and you can order it now either on DVD or as a Digital Download. This new video is for the advanced pilot, so you should have already studied the Electric Clinics 1 and 2 or at least know the basics of power systems and the terms used for the equipment.

Buy the Digital Download Here: radiocarbonart.com/ELC3DD/  Buy the DVD here: radiocarbonart.com/ELC3DVD/

Insider Deal: You can also get all three of the Electric Clinic downloads together for only $44.95, that's over 25% off the individual video price, just click here to order the complete set.

The new video has nearly three hours of fast-paced tutorials covering a variety of techniques and skills that will make you a better builder and help you understand the latest technologies and equipment now available for high performance electric gliders.

New How-To Video: F3X Building Clinic

The big F3X Building Clinic project is done and you can buy the download now and DVDs are shipping this week.

The F3X video is a full 2 and half hours long and is filled with new information and techniques for building any modern glider kit. I just finished the preview trailer with a sample tutorial and you can watch it now at the F3X web pages at the links below.

Order F3X Digital Edition: http://bit.ly/1EtCa6R
Order F3X DVD Edition: http://bit.ly/1EtCjqL

I have also packaged the F3X Building Clinic and the amazing Glider Tech Lab together as the Pro Builders Clinic with 5.5 hours of instruction. Only $36.95 for the download set, just $42.95 for the 4 DVD set. These 2 videos really belong together.

Pro Builders Set Digital Edition: http://bit.ly/1gN9yew
Pro Builders Set DVD Edition: http://bit.ly/1Ij9sY6

 

2S lipo converted to 1S2P

The following video short was a deleted scene from my new DLG Building Clinic. I demo how to desolder lipo packs and make a 2S into a 1S2P pack for DLG use. Also show how to check 1S voltage in a standard Lipo fuel checker without using the balance port.

Of course only fool with Lipos at your own risk, even small batteries can cause big trouble when not treated with respect. Just buy a battery if you are not good at soldering.

Pre-Order The New F3X Clinic Video, Get Download or DVD FREE

Here's a short preview of my new F3X Building Clinic training video which is currently in production. I teach you how build out a typical F3X style glider (Xplorer X2/X3 for this program) with all of the latest gear including HV MKS servos, Li-ion batteries, mag switch, and light wire harness.

Anyone who pre-orders the new F3X Building Clinic gets a choice of one FREE single DVD or download from our store. Pre-Order the Digital Download edition here:http://www.radiocarbonart.com/F3XBCDD/ Pre-Order the DVD edition here: http://www.radiocarbonart.com/F3XBCDVD/

 

Full Scale Gliders Launching Sideways!

I visited the local glider races and shot some cool footage of the guys launching in crosswinds. This is day 3 of the Region 2 SSA multi-class glider race at Mifflin, PA, USA, 5-20-15. Noted gliders are soaring legend Karl Striedieck's Dual Discus (KS) and the Pipistrel Taurus micro-light motor glider flown by Hal Loken. Slip it good! In HD from my new Vimeo channel.

New Video Release: DLG Building Clinic Download & DVD

The DLG Building Clinic is my new 2.5 hour r/c soaring instructional video that teaches you the skills required to build, prepare and test fly the latest DLG and F3K rc handlaunch gliders. I build the incredible Snipe DLG with the latest radio gear and battery technology to exacting professional standards. You learn all of the tricks and techniques required to select gear, do a light an clean assembly, and prepare your DLG for a successful first flight.  Order the download at this link and order the 2 disk DVD edition here.

Watch Glider Repair Lab 3 Preview Trailer

The Glider Repair Lab 3 is now shipping and here's the preview trailer showing what new repair techniques you'll learn in this 2 hour training program. There's a nice tip on how to fix skin delams with less surface damage at the end of the video so watch the whole thing. Buy the Repair Lab #3 download edition here, and the DVD edition here. This video will pay for itself really quickly. Priced spares lately?

A New Full Scale Glider Film By Paul Naton: Watch Free

I just released a new 25 minute short film titled Another Day To Race. I shot the footage at the 2012 Sports Class Nationals at Mifflin, PA. The film shows the ground action at a few days of the event with some awesome footage of a variety of racing gliders. I did not get a chance to get some air footage due to weather, but I know you will enjoy the beautiful footage of gliders at a major soaring contest. Click here to watch the film in full HD at my new Vimeo channel.

Check Out Our New Vimeo HD R/C Soaring Channel

While Youtube is useful, the bad compression, ads, and other crap ruins the viewing experience. I've created a new Vimeo video channel to host some of my HD videos and other filmic works so click on over and watch some beautiful content all for free. I've uploaded some older films at better resolution and added all of my recent HD films including the Another Day To Race film I just finished. Click here to go to the Radio Carbon Art Vimeo channel. https://vimeo.com/radiocarbonart

Get All Three New Glider Repair Labs Together Super Deal

You can get all three of Radio Carbon Art's amazing new Glider Repair Lab training series videos together at a great price price. The 6 hour download is only $44.95 and the DVD edition is only $49.95. Read more about this highly educational series on how to do basic and advanced repairs on our modern r/c sailplanes and gliders. Order the download version here, the DVD version here.

Glider Repair Lab Sneek Peak Video Preview

Here's a short 9 minute preview from the soon to be released Glider Repair Lab training video. In this clip I repair a set of damaged stabs from my Onyx JW. Pre-Order the new video now and get a free download of any of my soaring films. Here is the link to the Glider Repair Lab: http://www.radiocarbonart.com/GRLDD/  Shipping soon!

Pre-Order My New Glider Repair Lab Video Training Program Now

Pre-Order my new Glider Repair Lab training video and get a FREE soaring movie download! Both the Download and DVD editions of my new Glider Repair Lab are now available to pre-order on-line:

$19.95 Download Edition: http://bit.ly/1v5xNax
$21.95 DVD Edition: http://bit.ly/1k23Zqj

Click any of the above Bitly links to see pictures and read more about this new training video and to place your pre-order online. Shipping Early June 2014.

As an incentive to pre-order the Glider Repair Lab, (pre-orders really help!) I'm offering you a FREE download of your choice of any of my classic soaring films like the Endless Lift series or the Best of Scale Soaring. You will get your download link by e-mail after you order.

The Glider Repair Lab is going to be a a really useful video for all pilots as no one has made a good video guide on how to do basic and advanced repairs on today's hybrid composite glider airframes. Sure, there are a few photos sequences or the typical crummy YouTube videos online, but no real how-to on properly fixing fuselages and wings.

Xplodicon - Freakish & Unnatural Mating Makes 4 Meter F5J E-Cruiser

All-male Xplorer 4m fuse and lady-like Icon 2 wing bits meet in a dive bar, fall in love, and merge to create a glider stronger yet stranger than its' individual parts.

Got a bunch of crashed Icon 2 fuses and wings from a buddy (parts which I will be repairing on video for a new how-to repair program coming soon) and repaired a few of the better wing panels to make a complete wing.

After a few late-night stouts had in my shop, I happened to see the Icon 2 wing panels sitting just over a new but wingless Xplorer 4m electric fuse I had left over from the making of the Electric Sailplane Clinic video training series. An idea sparked, and I quickly matched up the wing to the electro fuse, and damm, almost a perfect match.

 

New Endless Lift 2 & Endless Lift 3 R/C Soaring Movie Downloads !

I have just released new download versions of my classic soaring films Endless Lift 2 and Endless Lift 3. Each 1 hour and 30 minute r/c soaring movie are available for only $5.00 each for a limited time. I guarantee these films will put a huge smile on your face as you watch some of soaring's true legends tear up the skies in these full length glider movies. Each film was restored and optimized for digital download and for only 5 bucks each, how you can you resist? Watch the trailer for Endless Lift 2 here, and watch the Endless Lift 3 preview trailer here. - Paul Naton

Neu & Maxxon Gearbox Motor Drilling Template PDF Guide

I made a firewall drilling template for common Maxxon, Neu P29 and P32 gearboxs used with inrunner electric motors.  The file is in the PDF format and you can use and distribute this file openly. The hole guides are as preceise as possible but small scaling issues with some printers might make this guide inaccurate. I also show suggeested cooling holes for some of the templates.   Download Gearbox Firewall Template

Radio Controlled Soaring Digest

The Radio Controlled Soaring Digest has been a user-driven r/c soaring publication since the 1980's. While the print version ended many years ago, the online version lives on, and this 'zine can be downloaded at their site: RCSD. There are also 20 years of back issues available online. RCSD contains a wealth of soaring history, information, glider building guides, and photos. I've read every issue since 1988, and YOU should be a reader or contributer.  

My New Training Video: Glider Tech Lab 1

I've just released a new highly detailed three hour (yes 3 hours!) instructional video titled the Glider Tech Lab 1. This educational video is packed with tutorials on hardware, technology, and construction skills that will make you a more professional and competent builder and flyer of today's slope and thermal gliders.

The techniques you learn in this video will help you eliminate failure points and crashes caused by poor power system and battery management. I guarantee it!

Just watch the preview, it describes all of the content of the program.

Both the Download and DVD editions of the new Glider Tech Lab are now available to purchase on-line:

$19.95 Download Edition: http://bit.ly/OBZsyK
$26.95 Two DVD Edition: http://bit.ly/1gArWiu

 

Download the New 2014 JR Propo Catalog

Download a PDF version of JR Propo's 2014 catalog of radio gear. All the new stuff is there including their new X-Bus system. Missing is info on the new 32 channel high-end radio announced this January. I love the new JR stuff, if I did not have so much money tied up in Spektrum/JR gear, I would get the 14X and/or the 8X for F3K. X Bus is cool, though not really useful most sailplanes yet.  Wait for Gen 2 of X-Bus. Download the catalog PDF here:

New Video Download Releases

I've been re-releasing my back catalog of r/c soaring films in digital format that you can purchase and download. The following titles are now available, some include some extra footage not on the DVDs: The Best of Scale Soaring, Just Want To Fly 1 & 2, Pro Aero Tow, PSS Masters, and Soar Utah Adventure. You can download each film for only $12.95 to $5.00, that's half the price of the DVD edtions. To purchase the downloads and for more information on each film, Click Here. These are amazing full length films covering all aspects of the sport of radio control soaring.

Super Fast F3F record set with Thuro Needle 100 - MR O

Mr 'O' Lungpun set a new F3F record time of 24.58 at an event at a big at a cliff in Taiwan. Plane is Thuro Needle 100. Mr O is the fastest front side pilot in the world, would like to see this guy DS, he has the super fast reflexes for it.  Nice to see soaring at a high level spreading around the world! Super pumps . . . 

F3J Landing Workout with Daryl Perkins

Got a chance to fly with old friend Daryl Perkins last week. DP now lives in VA and he came up to fly with our local guys here in PA. The day was cool, windy, and choppy, but there was some big lift to be found. Daryl brought his Uber F3 winch and we had fun launching off the stretchy plastic into the wind. I grabbed my HD cam and shot some footage of DP flying his Xplorer 3.8 X2 and shooting some landings in the chop. You can hear his new Futaba 18z doing a voice count. The short video is in HD if you click to watch on Youtube. You can learn how Daryl lands in my Soaring Master Class 2 training video at this link: 

New Baudis Vixen F3J RC Sailplane Build Video

I'm building a new F3J VIxen glider designed by Daryl Perkins and built by Juri Baudis. This is an incredible looking plane, super light and strong. I'm working on a Part 2 of the popular F3 Building Clinic training video which will highlight some of the latest building techinques, airframe hardware, and radio technology. The Vixen has a 6 servo wing with a custom Rotary Drive System which I will be building on camera. For servos, this plane is gettting Airtronics 809's all around and for radio gear, I'm installing the latest 2.4 radio system from Jeti and programming the astounding Jeti DC-16 transmitter. Hope to have this glider flying next week and the new video will be out in December as a digital download and on DVD. More photos after the jump! Wish this plane was mine, but it belongs to friend Jeff Sanford.

Alternative To F3J: - Real Horse Power With F3H R/C Soaring Class

F3H Proposal: The new FAI model soaring format F3H, with nearly the exact rules of F3J, uses a horse and rider for initial launch power instead of F3J's human two-man teams. Increased towing energy and efficiencies with less man-power requirements are an advantage of this thermal gliding class, though increased transport expenses and animal maintenance are an issue. Dealing with the copious intestinal waste output of the animals is a problem FAI's environmental engineers are working on. First trial comps are planned for 2016 if the new F3H class is ratified.

F3K Handlaunch Glider World Championships Links

The second F3K worlds are now happening in Herning, Dennmark and here's how you can read and track what's happening: RC Groups US Team Thread   US Team Page:  Official F3K Worlds Site:  Photos from Dennmark News Live Streaming of the event (not great quality) and the current scores. Joe Wurts is leading after day 3. What a stud. Go Team USA, and go to the US site and get some raffle tickets to support the team. BTW, I designed the team logos and clothing this year. - Paul Naton RCA

Electric R/C Sailplane Clinic Videos Now Available As HD Downloads

My training video series on R/C Electric Powered Gliders are now available as high quality HD downloads at a price well below what the DVDs go for. Electric Sailplane Clinic 1 covers the basics from power calculations to soldering techniques and Clinic 2 teaches advanced subjects like glider conversions, advanced ESC programming, data tracking, testing, and more.

Watch the preview trailer videos and read more about the video's content at this link: http://www.radiocarbonart.com/ELC-Set/  You can get all 4 hours of the video downloads for only $29.00 for a limited time only. These programs are still available on DVD as well. - Paul - Radio Carbon Art Productions

Download Documentary on Handlaunch gliders and F3K For Only $5.00

In celebration of the 20th running of the Torrey Pines Gulls International Handlaunch Glider Festival, I have re-released my film International Handlaunch as a special 2 hour download edition at the very special price of only $5.00 usd. Click Here to buy the 2 hour download.

This film first released in 2000 documents the last major HLG/F3K contest to feature the Javelin or over-hand throwing technique as the new generation of discus or spin-launch gliders were about to revolutionize this class of gliders. This special edition of this film has been remastered and re-edited with additional historical HLG footage and interviews added to document the the rapidly changing designs and launch techniques of the last 13 years. Discus-launch pioneers Dick Barker and Phil Pearson talk about the birth of the spin launch in rare interviews, and design master Mark Drela talks about the ideas behind the ground-breaking Super Gee design.

New Radio Programming Clinic Download Only $12.95

You can now purchase the newly re-mastered download edition of the highly acclaimed Radio Clinic For Sailplanes training program for only $12.95 for a limited time. This 1 hour and 55 minute high quality program will teach you the beginning and advanced radio programming techniques you'll need to get the most from your glider and radio set up.

The DVD price is $24.95, so the $12.95 download price is really a great deal and you don't have to pay shipping or tax either! This new download edition has a new short tutorial on 2.4 radio technology and how it works, but overall the program is about the same as the older DVD version. Click Here for more information and to buy the download.

Flying the Maple Leaf Icon 2

One of my good customers who is getting back into soaring big time (and has purchased ALL of my films for inspiration) just got a nice barely used Icon 2 and brought it by the shop for a 'PN' tune-up and pre-flight set up. We did a F3J program on his new JR 9503, reset the CG and tow hook, installed a new 2.4 receiver, and did a quick decalage/zero trim check with my iPhone. 

Arcus Glider Repair Video

I found this cool video by Petar Jansen on the repair of an Arcus full scale glider with a snapped tail boom. Some of the techniques shown could be used for models and the jig used to align the boom is super cool. Had to fix 2 control linkages, water ballast pipes, total energy probe system and make a better-than-new repair. Watch a second repair video after the jump:  -PN

Infrared Cloud Time-lapse Video Study

I've been shooting cloud time lapse videos for years to include with my soaring films and I recently came across this gorgeous film shot on a Red Epic camera with some special IR filters that enhance the contrast of the sky. Studing the sky is really key to understanding how air moves, lift, sinks, and evolves with the sun's energy input. Good thermal pilots have a developed sense of how the air will behave under changing conditions. They understand that air never stays still, never stays in equalibrium, and never wants to keep you aloft. Be one with the air your plane flies through. It takes a lifetime to gain that threshold. Karst County, Wee Jasper NSW, Australia, artist Glen Ryan.

Karst Country - infra-red timelapse from Glen Ryan on Vimeo.

Download Our Thermal Soaring Training Series Videos -10 bucks!

Radio Carbon Art is offering two of the world's most popular thermal soaring videos as high quality digital downloads.

The one hour Secrets of Thermal Soaring and two hour High Performance Thermal Soaring can be purchased for only $9.95 for a limited time. The $9.95 special download price is terrific deal (DVDs are $24.95) and you don't have to pay shipping, VAT or tax either. Special download expires March 15th, so get your download now!

Once you order and pay, you will get a special link by e-mail within 24 hours to where you can download the high quality video files suitable for computers, smart phones Ipads and other small devices. The download files are Digital Rights Management Free, and are in the universal non-flash .mp4 video format which will play on any device that can play video files.

Radio Carbon Art will be releasing other instructional titles in download format as fast as the films can be re-edited and prepared for download. Visit the RCA Downloads page to buy and browse the training films currently available.

World Glider Aerobatic Champion 2012

This is how the big boys fly aerobatics - Maciej Pospieszyński, gold medalist world gliding aerobatic championships 2012. Looks fun! 

R/C Glider Hits & Kills Man in Europe/Germany

An R/C glider struck a fellow sloper in the head killing him. The accident happened in Germany at a well known slope site at a small hill. Next time you fly, take a minute to think about safety and how much energy a large glider is producing at even a low speed. I've bee struck by planes a few times and had some very serious near-misses from gliders flown by expert pilots that would have caused great injury. Is your glider safe?  How's that old battery pack doing?  Have a fail-safe programmed? Read more about the incident at this link:

Mosway 4 and Whispering Wings Classic Glider Film

I found this cool vintage soaring film from the late 1950's featuring the rare Mosway 4 glider soaring with buzards over South Africa flown by early hipster Renè Comte. Nice photography and wing mounted cameras give this film a great feel. A classic soaring film. Read more about this glider's restoration at this link: http://www.moswey4.ch/