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Designer's Notes

 

"Originally, I wanted to design a glider with which I could join the Red-tailed Hawks in flight above my parents' 
home in the Santa Barbara foothills. The design needed to be easily flung to soaring altitude above the oak-
studded hillside, and had to be able to negotiate the often light and inconsistent canyon updrafts. Over the 
years, the Alula design has evolved into a glider that can be taken and flown just about anywhere, without much 
hassle. The Alula's simplicity and low parts count inspires a sense of freedom, while it's organic form triggers the 
same sentiment one often experiences while admiring a soaring bird in flight.  

The Alula-TREK's wing mimics the gently forward-swept configuration used by the Red-tailed Hawk, and many 
other soaring birds for that matter. This crucial design element is conducive to low speed circling flight which 
helps the pilot navigate small, confined sources of lift by eliminating tip stalls and maximizing control surface 
authority at very low airspeeds. This nature-inspired wing design also has the added benefit of lending itself to 
the wingtip launch method, contributing to a straighter launch when coupled with the large vertical tail. 

Overall, the sleek compact shape, low weight, forward-swept wing, and optimized airfoils and tail, all make for 
a glider which launches easily to altitude and responds quickly to lift, allowing the pilot to "get on step" quickly 
within a thermal. The minimalist flying wing configuration also makes for hassle-free flying since it is robust and 
easy to repair on the spot."

  

-Michael Richter, January 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Richter with an early hand-cut Alula prototype 
in 2004. The Alula's low weight, easy launching, and 
tight maneuverability allowed Michael to achieve his 
dream of joining the Red-tailed Hawks in the light 
updrafts above his parent's canyon-side home in Santa 
Barbara, California. 

3D CAD rendering shows the evolution of the Alula design that continues 
in 2015 with the new Alula-TREK. This further refined design features the 
easiest assembly and setup to date. 

Summary of Contents for alula TREK

Page 1: ......

Page 2: ...at home secured on a backpack or stowed in an overhead bin Be inspired fly where you never considered Modern RC Glider Design The Alula TREK was developed from the ground up to provide pilots of all...

Page 3: ...by maintaining the airflow over the top of the wing at high angles of attack This serves the bird well during take off landing and perching in difficult locations Simply put we found the name fitting...

Page 4: ...iminating tip stalls and maximizing control surface authority at very low airspeeds This nature inspired wing design also has the added benefit of lending itself to the wingtip launch method contribut...

Page 5: ......

Page 6: ...the utmost of respect and care as future access to them is by no means guaranteed The Alula TREK must be assembled balanced and trimmed properly to ensure smooth efficient flight Poor balance and trim...

Page 7: ...st Flights Trimming for Straight and Level Flight 17 Side Arm Launch Technique 19 Fine Tuning Balance Position 21 Urban Soaring Technique Background Important guidelines to follow when flying the Alul...

Page 8: ...ight and Assembly Manual 4 Vertical Tail Fin 5 Small Hardware Bag Contents 2 Elevon pushrods 2 Wing clamp screws 2 Clevises with screws Velcro for battery and receiver installation Not shown Logos win...

Page 9: ...ce deflections Small weights for balancing and Ballast Option Use our non lead Steel Balance Weights Part DFAA002 Adhesives and Tape Blenderm Tape Part 1525 0 for securing wing panels and making small...

Page 10: ...each arm Place tiny servo screws in a safe place 2 Using small wire clippers trim away one side of each servo arm as shown 3 Plug Battery Extension Wire into receiver observe proper polarity This exte...

Page 11: ...r If you cannot achieve the correct rotations using servo reversing alone you may need to swap the servo plugs at the receiver and return to Step 8 above 10 If necessary adjust sub trims to ensure ser...

Page 12: ...ng the right side as shown This allows canopy to hinge open lengthwise 2 Insert servos into molded pockets and route wire leads through provided cutouts and into receiver compartment 3 Apply provided...

Page 13: ...for mounting receiver or a spare battery 5 For now mount battery in the most forward position 6 Twist the servo wires together for a neater installation and then plug both elevon servo plugs into the...

Page 14: ...nges using a sharp hobby knife Alternate leaving approximately 15mm of intact hinge material between incisions imagine a dashed line cut pattern as shown below Make sure to leave 20mm of intact hinge...

Page 15: ...at this point 4 Slide a clevis onto end of each elevon pushrod You may have to loosen clamping screw slightly to allow clevis to slide onto pushrod end 5 While holding fuselage in hand slide one wing...

Page 16: ...TANT For added security during aggressive side arm launches please wrap a strip of tape Blenderm 1525 0 around each wing joint at the leading edge as shown It is possible for the wing clamp to loosen...

Page 17: ...ngtips as shown to the right Adjust clevis as necessary and tighten clevis screws with elevons in their correct neutral position Do not over tighten clevis screws when properly tightened tip of screw...

Page 18: ...to get the balance correct If you need more weight try our non lead Steel Balance Weights Part DFAA002 1 Ensure all components of glider are attached and installed Replace canopy if not already instal...

Page 19: ...a bit tricky so take your time and make sure glider balances level on your fingertips for at least a moment or two before it starts to fall out of balance Proper balance is crucial If you don t trust...

Page 20: ...little goes a long way for a flying wing Too much elevator deflection will result in inefficient over controlling stalling and poor flight behavior HOT TIP As shown below apply a piece of painter s ta...

Page 21: ...This compartment is located just behind the carbon spar beneath the canopy It fits exactly four pieces of our steel balance weights Part DFAA002 Stick four 5 gram pieces together as shown to create a...

Page 22: ...aphic below to verify proper control surface movements Hold glider with nose facing away from you and verify that control stick inputs result in correct control surface movements 5 Check for any bindi...

Page 23: ...d Throw the Alula TREK firmly but not excessively like a javelin without twisting your wrist Make sure to point nose towards horizon not up or down Make trim adjustments via trim levers on your transm...

Page 24: ...by creating too much bending stress 2 As shown in the image to the right grip desired wingtip of the Alula TREK with four fingers on top and thumb supporting from below aligned with carbon wingspar Or...

Page 25: ...style launch which involves a full rotation and usually several steps into the wind Comparably the side arm launch method is a very easy and quick way to get a small lightweight glider like the Alula...

Page 26: ...raight and level glide for a good while If instead your glider noses up or down as speed increases this is a sign that your CG position is off read on if this is the case 2 Nose Heavy too forward CG I...

Page 27: ...nd elevator rates should be able to do a nice reasonably tight loop after building airspeed in a dive If the plane has too much elevator throw when attempting a loop the glider will nose up quickly an...

Page 28: ...l become potential soaring locations Of course know that there are some guidelines to follow when looking for viable soaring locations and we always encourage safe and conscientious flying habits see...

Page 29: ...since a typical flight consists of a quick launch to altitude a nose over of the glider to level flight and then off to search for a thermal The majority of flights tend to be short 15 30 seconds but...

Page 30: ...rce your way into the thermal s core since the thermal will do its best to spit you out into the surrounding sinking air that feeds the thermal Typically a glider will speed up slightly in lift and sl...

Page 31: ...rcraft that are pure fun to fly Beginners through experts will appreciate the simplicity and versatility of our designs Our passion is designing quality affordable RC aircraft that get more people out...

Page 32: ...cebook for the latest Dream Flight news pictures and videos from around the world www facebook com dream flight rc 2015 Dream Flight LLC All Rights Reserved Dream Flight LLC PO Box 1448 Goleta CA 9311...

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