ALOFT: AH-100 Build (new title)

[Tmcfarland]

We have been refining some very small details, and coming up with a much better wing brace for the polyhedral. It took us a few revisions, but we are now about half the weight, stronger and much easier to build. You know, our mantra. Not much to see, but here you go:
View attachment 24282

Funny how much time can go into a very simple part. Often times the balancing of manufacturing and builder ease can oppose one another, but we are getting better and better at uniting the two. Thank you very much to Rafael for his suggestions to improve this little guy.

The fuselage is going through its refinement steps. Once the next round of bulkheads are printed, we should be able to build the first example.

Really enjoy watching the progress. As far as I know there are no other kits on the market making such use of 3D printing.
I know have decided against spoilers and your points are valid. But virtually all kits of 2 meter and larger have spoilers or flaps. Spoilers can be finicky to get them to close properly and can warp over time. I was wondering about a 3D printed spoiler and tray. A system designed around a particular servo. Basically would just drop right into the precut ribs. Kit could be sold with two sets of ribs giving the builder the option to go either way. Just some thoughts. I look forward to building one.

 

[Wayne]

Not a bad idea.

Wing under construction:

Prototype kits should ship out next week.

 

[u2builder]

Do you think this will be available for a winter building project? It would be at the top of my list if it is. I have a great Planes Spirit 100 kit but I think the AH100 will be about half the weight and incorporates 3 decades of advances.

 

[Wayne]

Well, it was suggested to me today that we release about 10 early kits. I'll think on this and we might go that route. Alpha builds are currently in progress with a few hickups we need to fix and send out new parts for. This is why I like Alpha builds.

 

[G-man]

>Do you think this will be available for a winter building project?
>It would be at the top of my list if it is. I have a great Planes Spirit 100 kit
>but I think the AH100 will be about half the weight and incorporates 3 decades of advances.

u2builder:​

I think the Great Planes Spirit 100 is a great choice to mate with the Topmodel Prelude fuselage,
I base my assessment on the proven stellar performance of the 78-inch SPIRIT and the motorized version SPECTRA.
Those two are truly excellent flyers, superior to Gentle Lady, Sophisticated Lady, TH Vista, HH Sensoar in our experience here.
Do ya think the Triple Taper leading edge could make the difference?

The Spirit 100 could be the next wing I build if there is slack time on my workbench this winter.
I do want to see if the lovely flight performance scales up from 2-meter, and I have a PRELUDE fuselage at the ready.

My kit has two wing choices. Are you thinking of building the floater wing with spoilers,
or the advanced wing with ailerons and flaps?

// Dave
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[u2builder]

Thanks Dave

My kit is the same. If I build it I'll build the Poly wing with the Selig 3010 airfoil. I have come to like the R/E floater style of flying, the look of the more pronounced polyhedral, the lower flying workload for gliders and it builds lighter. But I have also been thinking about building a 3m Paragon because it just gets such great reviews from all the old time glider guys and it builds light and apparently plenty strong for electric launch. And then there is the AH-100 waiting in the wings so to speak. I have run of of space to store gliders so I need to choose carefully.

The plus for the Spirit 100 is I have it, and could start building now whereas I'd need to get materials and plans printed for the Paragon or wait for the AH 100 to become available. It is good to see your assessment of the Spirit 78. I built a Gentle Lady a couple years ago and I actually like flying it better than my modern YJ/Medina/Purito motor gliders so it speaks well for the Spirit.

 

[G-man]

> I have come to like the R/E floater style of flying,

Yeah man, same here.

Here is my recommended accessory for R/E laid back flying:
Five lean back positions. Pillow flips in or out of the way.
When I ordered mine, orders over $50 were shipped free.

Bass Pro Shops High Seat Beach Chair $54.99

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-high-seat-beach-chair?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CProprietary%7CGeneral%7CNCO%7CGoogle%7CNMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21733732293&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuvTJBhCwARIsAL6DemjRmZWocchq1HS7lTaB-nevLRFQjjIf9C0Rv83cgzD8wDKJxWPtaakaAp7CEALw_wcB

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