Locally we slope some sand dunes that vary between 5'-20' in height that can be sloped at any height when the breeze is right. This is where I taught myself to fly as the landings as you can imagine are pretty forgiving. What I did notice after later going to hills was that the lift band from the dunes was very narrow and if you fall behind it, it is very difficult to push forward back into it. Staying 'in the groove' has become part of the fun and excitment of flying the dunes. I guess at some point we will have to try out the dark side of the dunes - that would be REALLY 'staying in the groove', but seems a little far fetched at this point in time!
Cheers All, Chris Bayley(NZ) > -----Original Message----- > From: Lincoln Ross [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 11:05 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: RE: [RCSE] Flying Smaller Slopes > > > Whether it's too small depends on what the conditions are like upwind > (and a bit on downwind, but it sounds like that's ok). If conditions are > right, 5' height ought to be plenty for some gentle flying. If > conditions are not right, 30' isn't enough. We have a dam in our area > like that, which is too bad because it's so easy to fly at otherwise. > > Make sure you can tell without looking where all the obstacles are, and > try to maintain enough "situational awareness" that you can avoid > pedestrians without crashing the plane. Crash the plane instead of > hitting someone as even a small HLG can hurt or even injure if it hits > you wrong. > > Remember to always make your turns away from the slope, NOT into it, at > least until you are pretty good. As soon as you turn toward the slope > the plane seems to rush at the slope and you may not have time to turn > back. If you need to get closer to the slope, just turn parallel to the > slope and drift back. > > John wrote: > > I have enjoyed reading these "Smaller Slope" posts. > > What I would like to know, is how small is too small? > > As an example, I have been eyeing a place here at work > > where a soccer field abbuts a softball field that has > > a soccer-width sloping earth berm that is about five > > feet tall facing the prevaling south winds. I have > > wondered if it is too small to slope with a light HLG > > or Mosquito HLG. I plan to try it out when I get my > > current HLG constructed. (I've never sloped before > > though so it will be a tough learning experience.) > > > > John > > -- > Lincoln Ross > RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send > "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
