FW5 FloW Building Instruction Juni 2010
9. Optimizing
9.1 Centring the masses
During our extensive tests we have found out, that
centring
the masses in the middle of the glider
is even before the
take-off weight the most important fact to
optimize the
throwing height
. That means it is better start with ballast in
the middle of the glider than to start very light. Every pilot
should optimize his model, so that he can easily handle the
weight of his glider when launching it, but carry as much
ballast as possible. In addition, the amount of ballast of
course also depends on the wind and thermal power.
As you see, there are still many ways to optimize.
Mark Drela
has developed a method to
measure the yaw of
gyration
. This defines how good or bad a glider has centred
its masses:
Hang your model upside down on two 1,5m long threads,
which you fix 30mm from the centre of gravity. Now move the
glider for 45° and the let it swing. Take the time of 5 swings.
Repeat this process several times to get an average value.
The faster the model swings, the faster it will stabilize after
the launch and the higher it will start.
9.2 Ends of the ailerons
In order to move the triangular ends of the ailerons, stick a
0.5mm steel wire
with adhesive tape on the trailing edges of
both control surfaces.
9.3 Leading edge of the wing
As you nearly don’t recognize a damage of the leading edge of the wing (f.e. after hard landing), we
advise to put a
strip of adhesive tape over the leading edge
.
The film is thin enough not to disturb the aerodynamic, but it surely will extend the lifetime of your
glider.
9.4 Voltage control
We recommend
DLG-saver from Simprop
against power
failure of your glider.
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