Elastic Launched Glider C

[_HenryHscioly_]

I have practiced quite a bit, maybe not a lot, but still, I cant get my glider to transition like I would like it to every time.
If have my partner hold the stick, and I launch, its better, but also more nerveracking..cuz coordinating is a hassle and I'm afraid my hand might slip and i'll shoot my partner or yeah...less control w/ bad coordination ._.
So, the rules say that the launcher can be any safe configuration. What do you think about a 8foot pole with a hole drilled in the top to fit the launchhande/dowel, with markings on the pole so i know exactly how far to pull back. and Maybe plus some type of enlarge protractor....?

11/12/2012 - 21:10 Does the launch handle have to be hand held?
No, but the launch handle must be of a safe configuration. If there is any perceived safety hazard, the event supervisor may prohibit its use or the students' participation in the event.

Seems ok, but, what if someone goes to competition with a 20foot tall pole, and smthing to grasp their glider and pull back 1inch and release.. launching is still with elastic energy...What would you think is to be deemed "unsafe"?

[jander14indoor]

As usual, opinion, not official, etc...

In addition to the FAQ you posted, I'll note the following two on launch:

(section: 1 / line: 3)
11/11/2012 - 20:37 Must the glider be launched from floor level?

Students, not the glider, must be at floor level (standing, sitting, etc.) when the glider is launched.
11/11/2012 - 20:40 At what point is the end of the launch?

Launch is to release, catapult, or send off; therefore according to para. 1 and reference to the starting time in 4.k.2, the end of the launch process (not to be confused with the end of the flight) is when the glider leaves the competitors hand (which is also when the time starts).

So I think you last idea is ruled out. The above FAQs imply the glider must be released from the student's hand, couldn't do that with what you described.

Now, a long pole and a long THIN rubber band, kinda what I've been hinting at. Hmmm might work. There is NO reason to limit yourself to the 'conventional' AMA solution of a 6 inch stick and short band. Or one person launch.

As to safety, again NOT official. Think of things (heavier is worse) flying around at great speed, long distances and uncontrolled. Or tripping hazards. These are all bad. Also, remember the phrase about aiming your glider at the ceiling, not students or walls.

Note, I don't actually know what catapult design will work, or if there is a magic answer out there. As an engineer/problem solver, it just looks like something to be solved. How to improve or better eliminate the transition. I think it can be beat. I've tried to throw out design ideas I'd try if I were a competitor or a dedicated coach/mentor instead of an event supervisor/state director, otherwise having to avoid conflict of interest with any ONE team so I try to help all.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[_HenryHscioly_]

supervisor didnt enforce goggle wearing...

8.6m ceiling height

So. Cal
1st ~25+23
5th ~21+20

One of my gliders got dq'd when it snuggly fit into their lipbalm cap ._.
ironic how I heard (not exactly word for word) "if they poke their eyes out, it'll be their own fault"
if no goggles were required, they might as well as let gliders compete with 60cm wing spans, weighing 12g, having pointy noses with metal ballast.
but I guess it's fortunate nothing actually bad happened...
as with my glider...I would be quite confident in, flying hundreds of flights without hurting myself or anyone viewing...but some gliders were small and zippy...looping everywhere, and quite possibly dangerous

[jander14indoor]

Unfortunate that the ES didn't enforce the goggles, we put the rule in for a reason afterall. You are right, gliders that get 20+ seconds aren't much risk, but we knew they'd be the exception, not the rule. I've seen many more lead sleds than light gliders, they should have enforced the goggles.

On the other hand, those are some pretty impressive times (close to 1 second per foot, my rough prediction), congratulations.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[zakatak77]

Anyone have any idea what the top times were for the Virginia Stone and Kilmer divison C regional tournaments? And what might be an ideal time for the 17 foot ceiling that Virgnia Tech is giving us for the state tournament? Thanks

[caseyotis]

Hello all! I'm very interested in this event because it sounds really fun, and I'm going into Div. C next year. It's on the tentative list of events. x3
Are there any kits that anyone can recommend? Any tips, too? I saw a YouTube video where the competitors had a large elastic pull... Here, I'll show you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp5YCny0r44
But there was another team that had only one launch person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bVa4wyrYGE
Which one is a better strategy?
I don't completely understand this event yet, but I have a good idea of what it is.

[AtRi]

Hello all! I'm very interested in this event because it sounds really fun, and I'm going into Div. C next year. It's on the tentative list of events. x3
Are there any kits that anyone can recommend? Any tips, too? I saw a YouTube video where the competitors had a large elastic pull... Here, I'll show you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp5YCny0r44
But there was another team that had only one launch person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bVa4wyrYGE
Which one is a better strategy?
I don't completely understand this event yet, but I have a good idea of what it is.

Some of this information and more is avalible if you read through this entire thread.

This event greatly varies depending on the ceiling height that you are going to be competing in. Most gyms where competitions are held are under 30', like in the second video. In the first video, the ceiling height is obviously much higher. For a 30' gym it is easy enough for one person to launch the glider but for extreme heights like in the second video, two people could be used.

As far as kits, the best one I've heard of so far is the Freedom Flight kit.

http://www.freedomflightmodels.com/paypal.htm

Also this website is very helpful for learning the basics of this event, and there are some plans on the website as well.

http://www.amaglider.com/

[Orange714]

I was trimming my glider the other day when all of the sudden it started doing barrel rolls as it was flying and I have no idea why. I checked if everything was ok and nothing broken because it usually means that something's broken but I couldn't find what was wrong ): I like triple checked everything but I still have no idea why it had a good flight before and then suddenly started rolling in the air as it flew.

I did a couple hand launches and it glided just fine, but when I started catapult launches even only at like 25% power and straight ahead it rolls like 3 times before crashing into the ground.

If anyone could help it'd be really appreciated! (this is a non-flapper btw)

Also for a flapper has anyone had any troubles getting altitude on them? Is it that I sanded the flaps too thin? It makes a loud sound when I launch it ):

thanks

[caseyotis]

Hello all! I'm very interested in this event because it sounds really fun, and I'm going into Div. C next year. It's on the tentative list of events. x3
Are there any kits that anyone can recommend? Any tips, too? I saw a YouTube video where the competitors had a large elastic pull... Here, I'll show you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp5YCny0r44
But there was another team that had only one launch person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bVa4wyrYGE
Which one is a better strategy?
I don't completely understand this event yet, but I have a good idea of what it is.

Some of this information and more is avalible if you read through this entire thread.

This event greatly varies depending on the ceiling height that you are going to be competing in. Most gyms where competitions are held are under 30', like in the second video. In the first video, the ceiling height is obviously much higher. For a 30' gym it is easy enough for one person to launch the glider but for extreme heights like in the second video, two people could be used.

As far as kits, the best one I've heard of so far is the Freedom Flight kit.

http://www.freedomflightmodels.com/paypal.htm

Also this website is very helpful for learning the basics of this event, and there are some plans on the website as well.

http://www.amaglider.com/

I'm sorry; I just wanted some decent information condensed into one post for reference.

Oh, I see. Thank you! I will keep this in mind. I don't know the venue for our region yet, but that will be my first question if I do end up doing this event.

Thank you very much! I will check out those websites.

[AtRi]

Hello all! I'm very interested in this event because it sounds really fun, and I'm going into Div. C next year. It's on the tentative list of events. x3
Are there any kits that anyone can recommend? Any tips, too? I saw a YouTube video where the competitors had a large elastic pull... Here, I'll show you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp5YCny0r44
But there was another team that had only one launch person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bVa4wyrYGE
Which one is a better strategy?
I don't completely understand this event yet, but I have a good idea of what it is.

Some of this information and more is avalible if you read through this entire thread.

This event greatly varies depending on the ceiling height that you are going to be competing in. Most gyms where competitions are held are under 30', like in the second video. In the first video, the ceiling height is obviously much higher. For a 30' gym it is easy enough for one person to launch the glider but for extreme heights like in the second video, two people could be used.

As far as kits, the best one I've heard of so far is the Freedom Flight kit.

http://www.freedomflightmodels.com/paypal.htm

Also this website is very helpful for learning the basics of this event, and there are some plans on the website as well.

http://www.amaglider.com/

I'm sorry; I just wanted some decent information condensed into one post for reference.

Oh, I see. Thank you! I will keep this in mind. I don't know the venue for our region yet, but that will be my first question if I do end up doing this event.

Thank you very much! I will check out those websites.

Good luck! And if you have the time, definitely check out the entire thread. You can learn a lot and avoid many errors by reading through it.