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Forza 2.5

Hi Guys, just to let you know that apart from my latest (and truly wonderful :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:) Gliding and Design Column article on "What we can learn from birds" in Aufwind Magazine, there is also the first part of a very detailed article on both G and E versions of the Forza from opening the box through servo/frame choices and installation to flight trials (in the next issue).

When I say detailed, read DETAILED:eek:

Cheers,

Doc.
 
Well it has been a while but my Forza finally got some racing action in at Wings Over WIlson, the Midwest Slope Challenge. There were ten pilots in the "Open" racing class which is a one on one, double elimination event. This was my first entry in an open race and while facing some seasoned competitors and unusual conditoinos (racing across a bowl in strong shifty winds) I managed to take 4th place. If the Forza was a touch lighter I may have finished on the podium, but the winds died right as my final race began and I sunk out at the first turnpoint. The other person had a lighter glider and ended up with 3rd. Oh well. If the stronger conditions had stuck around for that race the tables would have been turned. That is racing. It was still fun.
BTW, no ballast 2155g (76oz), 15.1 oz/ft^2. CG 101mm. I think the CG might be best a little further back, perhaps 105?

The Forza did impress everyone on durability (cough cough). After one of the prior races, rather than pushing out and gaining altitude before approach for landing, I hurriedly tried to just turn into the hill with the intention of a quick turn into the wind and a short walk to the plane. Got caught in a lull and had to put the Forza in downwind! I recognized that I needed to land flaps up or risk tering up my flap servos so this was a fast landing. Folks were amazed as I walked back with the Forza intact, sans a rudder pushrod. Who needs a rudder anyway. Taped the rudder in place and proceeded to win three hard fought races before my elimination race. Lots of people were interested in how the Forza showed off its speed and energy retention, while also demonstrating its ability to deal with energy dissipation. ;)
 
Wayne said:
And just a heads up - Aloft Hobbies is once again the exclusive distributor for Aeroic in North America. We worked out a bilateral trade agreement. LOL
Click to expand...
If so, is it possible to order a yellow electric fuselage for a Forza, and if so, about how much would that be?
Not sure I would want one, but I'd like to think about it.
 
Hi. recently acquired a forza and following the build instructions. one query on the nose weight. i read somewhere that someone had put the weight in the removable nose cone. i was thinking better to put in the fuselage which has a hole at its tip as it’s then fixed
 
Mine is in the fuselage, never thought of putting it in the slip off nose cone. As long as there's room, that seems fine.
 
Andynrose said:
Hi. recently acquired a forza and following the build instructions. one query on the nose weight. i read somewhere that someone had put the weight in the removable nose cone. i was thinking better to put in the fuselage which has a hole at its tip as it’s then fixed
Click to expand...
I added the majority to the fuse but I do have a small amount of weight in the nose cone as well.
 
Hello, all of my lead easy fitted in the inner nose (approx 230g) and is held in place with a small blob of clear silicone. See post #183

Mine was cast using molten lead in sand though. If you use lead shot, it will take up more space.

martin
 
Wayne said:
Mine is in the fuselage, never thought of putting it in the slip off nose cone. As long as there's room, that seems fine.
Click to expand...
Both/anyone - with respect, I really would not do that.

There is the possibility of the weight fouling the nose cone fit, and also the chance of the (slip on, so also slip off) nose cone coming off during a launch - I know it's unlikely, but it still happens.

There is enough room for the main nose weight to be firmly epoxied in the very front of the fuselage, with a little bit of weight added loose for fine CG adjustment.

Cheers,

Doc
 
JJ Colorado said:
Well it has been a while but my Forza finally got some racing action in at Wings Over WIlson, the Midwest Slope Challenge. There were ten pilots in the "Open" racing class which is a one on one, double elimination event. This was my first entry in an open race and while facing some seasoned competitors and unusual conditoinos (racing across a bowl in strong shifty winds) I managed to take 4th place. If the Forza was a touch lighter I may have finished on the podium, but the winds died right as my final race began and I sunk out at the first turnpoint. The other person had a lighter glider and ended up with 3rd. Oh well. If the stronger conditions had stuck around for that race the tables would have been turned. That is racing. It was still fun.
BTW, no ballast 2155g (76oz), 15.1 oz/ft^2. CG 101mm. I think the CG might be best a little further back, perhaps 105?

The Forza did impress everyone on durability (cough cough). After one of the prior races, rather than pushing out and gaining altitude before approach for landing, I hurriedly tried to just turn into the hill with the intention of a quick turn into the wind and a short walk to the plane. Got caught in a lull and had to put the Forza in downwind! I recognized that I needed to land flaps up or risk tering up my flap servos so this was a fast landing. Folks were amazed as I walked back with the Forza intact, sans a rudder pushrod. Who needs a rudder anyway. Taped the rudder in place and proceeded to win three hard fought races before my elimination race. Lots of people were interested in how the Forza showed off its speed and energy retention, while also demonstrating its ability to deal with energy dissipation. ;)
Click to expand...
Hey JJ - glad to hear you are racing the Forza - it's a fast little plane and turns very well when it gets its head down - though maybe not quite as fast as the Toccata, which uses a version of BSLD and, which the Europeans tell me is the fastest 2M model out there right now.

For a light version, I have been talking to Wayne about an F100 "L" version with the 'L" designation referring to "Light"

This will still be a strong model, though perhaps not as rugged as the usually supplied S version, and not in the same league as the SS type, which is close to bulletproof.

Wayne can elaborate if you feel the need for the "L" version.

Cheers and hearty congratulations on the high placing. Was the racing MOM by the way or F3f style?

Cheers,

Doc.
 
I have a standard layup Forza and love it, but I'm eager to see what a light weight will do on those weaker days. The good handling and span of the Forza I think will make for a very nice light weight.
 
Hi Doc, been busy getting in the air with my paraglider recently and then doing some F5J with my local club, so haven't checked forums for a while.

The Forza is pretty fast and incredibly silent even at high speeds. I did well with it for a first timer in our "Open" racing class. One on one, any glider as long as it isn't a ODR 60" racer. We have a 4 person at a time race for those.

We have a wide range of gliders racing and the Forza was on the faster end of the spektrum. I brought ballast but didn't use any. Some of the other gliders were Pit Bulls, Redshift, ..... In the end it is really down to piloting and luck. It is a double elimination format. In my case the wind died down right as the start timer did its countdown. At first I thought I had the race in the bag as the opposing glider was a bit of a floater, but it was light enough to get all its laps in, while I made it to turn one and promptly sunk out.

A light Forza would be fun, but I had a couple "hard" landings, including a down winder where the other pilots were amazed that the Forza came out of it with only a bent rudder pushrod. Taped the rudder straight and flew again.

So IMO, a light Forza woud be a great sport/racing glider with reasonable durability. The build I have requires a fair amount of wind, 12-15mph or more, but has great durability for racing and poor decision making on landing approaches.
 
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The Forza is not his fastest model, but I think of it as the best all rounder in his offerings. With that said, she can turn a good lick of speed, but for me she really shines in just jamming around the sky doing fun things. That is what I enjoy doing more than anything. But yes, I always catch myself practicing some F3F turns with her too. No complaints on her at all!
 
JJ Colorado said:
Hi Doc, been busy getting in the air with my paraglider recently and then doing some F5J with my local club, so haven't checked forums for a while.

The Forza is pretty fast and incredibly silent even at high speeds. I did well with it for a first timer in our "Open" racing class. One on one, any glider as long as it isn't a ODR 60" racer. We have a 4 person at a time race for those.

We have a wide range of gliders racing and the Forza was on the faster end of the spektrum. I brought ballast but didn't use any. Some of the other gliders were Pit Bulls, Redshift, ..... In the end it is really down to piloting and luck. It is a double elimination format. In my case the wind died down right as the start timer did its countdown. At first I thought I had the race in the bag as the opposing glider was a bit of a floater, but it was light enough to get all its laps in, while I made it to turn one and promptly sunk out.

A light Forza would be fun, but I had a couple "hard" landings, including a down winder where the other pilots were amazed that the Forza came out of it with only a bent rudder pushrod. Taped the rudder straight and flew again.

So IMO, a light Forza woud be a great sport/racing glider with reasonable durability. The build I have requires a fair amount of wind, 12-15mph or more, but has great durability for racing and poor decision making on landing approaches.
Click to expand...
We do an "L" (Light) version, JJ - it's available and is still very rugged.

Can be ordered from Aloft. Drop them a line if you want one.

Cheers,

Doc.
 
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