There has been a somewhat disparaging remark made about DSing.
I’d like to correct this misconception. Dynamic Soaring (DS) is a great challenge, to both the skills of the designer/builder and the pilot. These challenges are what make DSing so rewarding.
The carnage shown earlier in this thread is a classic example of using the wrong tool for the job. In the early 90’s few designers had the appreciation of the flight loads put on the airframe while DSing. As a result many nice high quality airframes where lost flying beyond the structural limit of the airframe. Today it is understood that DS ships have own structural needs and set ups requirements that are very different from those of a front side ship.
With a proper ship it is well within the realm of possibility for most fliers to reach speeds of 450 kph. And for those dedicated to this discipline can reach speeds above 750 kph. To be clear these speeds cannot be reached with ships built and set up for front side flying. The structural and control demands are just too great for the front side ship.
Here are some ships that Aloft sells that are suitable for DSing:
https://alofthobbies.com/aircraft/gliders/dynamic-soaring.html
Here is a link to a talk by the preeminent designer and pilot, Spencer Lisenby.
All the best,
Konrad
Hi Konrad,
Statement:
I am completely sure that Spencer and the other highly skilled DS guys close his level take the maximum possible precautions and enforce the maximum degree of security and safety possible when flying at what is now approaching Mach 1.
But there are a couple of other things so lets start with the misconception comment:
1. The pictures above show the remains of mostly dedicated DS models - many from the original Manor stable.
2. I am a model aircraft and full sized designer and I fully understand the needs of DS type airframes.
3. I am quite capable of designing and constructing DS model - and many have asked me why I have not done this.
4. I am not disparaging DS, the designers, or those who fly it at all - this hobby is meant to be fun - which many people seem to forget - and anything that is not outright dangerous, is part of that fun.
Fun.
(This is where it gets personal)
So imagine the scene when I'm up at a local slope - which actually does have a semi useable back side - and a flyer whom I have not seen before shows up with a fully dedicated DS model and some really state of the art radio gear.
Wow, now this should be worth watching, right?
I mean if this guy (who showed up in a very expensive car with a couple of very good looking ladies) has got to the level where he can fly this master class level plane, then we are in for a great show right??
I have not seen him fly before so he's probably another overseas guy who has learned somewhere else, probably???
I'll cut to the chase. Whatever this person had flown before was not much above the level of a park flyer, but against all odds he actually did get the model to do rudimentary if highly erratic DS.
The model ended up through the side of someone else's car after having parted the hair of a 6 year old child first. The difference between the life and death of this little girl was a few millimetres, and not because of any visible avoiding action but just luck.
So here's why I
don't make dedicated DS models, and this is entirely personal and no reflection on DS or those who fly it:
I can control the airframe design and I fact had actually designed one by that time.
I can control the construction and am fully aware of what's needed and how to do it.
What I cannot do is control who buys DS planes.
Cheers,
Doc J.
By the way, Good news!
Back on the fun side, it looks like my Guy in Argentina - an accomplished pilot by the way - is coming to the ISR.
Ole!