George, I have many times used the additional energy from the zoom to gain distance upwind, thus a shallower than vertical pull up. Which is why, I guess I tend toward that zoom profile in the range of 45 to 60 degrees. So, your comment confirms some of my initial deductions on this subject. Sometimes here in the breezy Midwest even carrying ballast it is difficult to cover enough air upwind of the desired landing point. It would still seem to me that if the lift vector is horizontal that equates to lost energy or altitude.
Jim, The two articles from DP and JW were very informative and greatly appreciated. I have flown with both of these men at the TNT and with JW at the Last Fling of Summer as well. They both know of what they speak. They truly do launch high and I do not recall, all though the old gray matter may be failing, seeing either go vertical after leaving the line. I have gone to similar set-ups to what they both describe for the towed portion of the launch. Full span equal camber, a fairly aft tow hook position and an elevator preset that allows "hands off" towing in almost any wind condition. But, that applies to the towing portion of the launch, not the zoom or kinetic energy to altitude conversion portion of the launch. I would really like to learn how to optimize that portion, since I am satisfied I can usually get what I want while on the line. Joe's mention of climb out at around, but greater that 60 degrees begins to touch on what I am interested in learning about. Mark W. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
