Tiny Tail on a High Start?

[bcarter123456]

The Microbirds Tiny Tail had its first test glides last night. I have the bungee system to bungee launch it but I wondered if a lightweight high start would provide higher if less spectacular launches in my smallish local field.

I saw the Repus high start launch videos here so clearly a tailless wing is capable. The 24" span wing has an area of about 144 sq in/9.3 sq dm. Flying weight is 59 grams so the wing loading also seems low enough. I haven't mounted a tow hook yet. I'll try to come up with a two position mount if high starting

would be reasonable.

 

[Wayne]

For testing, just use a paper clip and some masking tape. When launching, you hold the paper clip, not the plane. I have done this on far larger slope planes and launched at speeds of about 100 mph. Paper clip and tape..

 

[bcarter123456]

Wayne,

Funny you suggest that combo as that is exactly what I use on this 60" glider with 3/16" rubber. My main concern on the Tiny Tail is the shape of the bottom of the fuse. I'll use some good tape and since the fuse has been coated with glass and epoxy it won't do any harm. Probably more than can be said for my flying skills. You are correct, I'm probably overestimating the forces involved.

 

[bcarter123456]

A great morning with calm conditions for about an hour provided an opportunity to test the Tiny Tail on a high start consisting of 10m/32' of 4.5mm/3/16" rubber and 38m/125' of line.

After a few test glides to set trim it was time to turn it loose. Pulling back 15m/50' for the first launch resulted in a very early release. The paper clip tow hook I had gorilla taped to the bottom was inclined away from the bottom of the wing at too great an angle.

Bending it so it was nearly parallel gave better results with a slight reluctance to come off the line at the top. For the third launch the angle was opened back up a little and it came off as expected.

The Tiny Tail went up the line mostly straight with some over-correction from me but never behaved badly. After a few more trim flights it went up with very little input required. The pull was eventually increased to 30m/100'. Flights in calm air were 25 to 30 seconds. Launch heights were okay but not amazing, maybe the hook could go back a little more.

The little glider is a pleasure to fly and looks great in the air. Being new to me I'm still learning about it but it seemed to perform better trimmed slightly down keeping the speed up. It was still stable with a more nose up trim but the glide suffered. At one point coming in to land it was about 6 feet off the ground when I inadvertently input too much down elevator. When I corrected it seemed to keep gliding for a long time with the additional speed from the dive.

I may still try the bungee system but for now I know I can get good launches from a high start without the trepidation of releasing the glider into immediate high speed flight. Admittedly that could be fun in itself.

Now the questions. The Gorilla tape worked but oddly couldn't handle the moisture that is almost always present here on summer mornings. Any thoughts for a good lightweight method for mounting my paperclip tow hook?

As I mentioned the Tiny Tail seems to perform best trimmed down for a fast flat glide. To achieve that both elevons are below neutral. I'm not familiar with balance/trim on a reflexed wing. Should I add more nose weight or does it mean my wing has slightly excessive reflex? It flies fine but having the control surfaces down is likely adding drag.

 

[Wayne]

I have used very basic tapes like masking tape or clear tape. Nothing fancy, but we don't have to deal with much moisture around here.

 

[bcarter123456]

I used Scotch Magic tape to hold the TT "canopy" on but it doesn't like wet either. I'll try some 3M or Duck brand packaging tape next. I've used it on bicycle frames that get wet and it stays.