Glider Aerobatics

In any case, we can’t do one thing and neglect the other; both beginners and advanced sailors need support. Experience has also shown that a performance sail designed for acrobatics cannot be used by a performance sailor, nor can an acrobatic sail be used by a performance sailor. Even with flaps, the results are unsatisfactory given the significant effort involved. Pure performance competitions already exist abroad and should be tested here in the form of friendly competitions.

Now, a few thoughts on pure aerobatics. The prerequisite is that you have mastered a multi-axis model and that the model itself is built for aerobatics—that is, it has at least a semi-symmetrical airfoil. Furthermore, landing flaps are advantageous, since the flight speed ranges between 7–15 m/sec. The V-shape of the wings is almost zero, though this makes a high launch more difficult, and the wingspan should not be less than 2.5 m.

The flight routine should not include maneuvers that cause a loss of altitude (spin), but rather maneuvers that flow smoothly into one another and do not place excessive demands on the judges (arbitrariness).

Now I'd like to introduce a program that can be practiced and discussed.

M. Frey

1. 300-meter high-start, unscored
2. Scoring begins upon release
3. Straight flight for at least 10 seconds (stabilizing the aircraft and its axis)
4. Immelmann maneuver initiated
5. Left renversement
6. Right renversement
7. Inverted flight for at least 5 seconds
8. Kubanacht
9. Pulled loop
10. Pushed loop
11. Horizontal Figure-8 (RCM)
12. Approach, at least 5 seconds, straight
13. Landing in a standard square