Lubcroy in a NE

Lubcroy in a NE
Flair K8 in its element on Lubcroy

Monday 24 February 2014

Elipsoid Maiden

Today, a day of puffy clouds and sunshine, saw the Reichard Elipsoid in the air for the first time. Effortless and relaxing, more later...

For the technically minded: HS81s for ailerons and rudder, HS65HB for elevator. Turnigy 900kv motor, 1300 3s Lipo. Plenty of power, about 5 minutes flight time under power. Lands like a feather but floats for miles even with  85%reflexed ailerons.



The day also saw the Excel 4004 circle lazily above the Kanaird hills. Hardly any lift but a good afternoon's flying.

Saturday 22 February 2014

Ode to Soaring

Upon the hills I love to soar
But knees and hips can't take much more

Each climbing step with heart a'pumpin'
Which one today will I be bumpin'

The Vector or the all-glass Fox
I should have kept them in the box

But now's the time to catch the air
So let your wingman be aware

To launch it fast and launch it true
Or else this friendship could be through...







Thursday 13 February 2014

Bidule Latest

The Bidule arrived today from West Wales Models and more than lived up to our expectations. In these days of cheap Cinese kits, Ecotop Top Model came up trumps with plane that, wherever it was actually put together, shows extraordinary thought, and included a fittings kit of exceptional quality.


"In all my years of flying I cannot remember seeing such a well-produced product. The fittings are the best I have ever seen. They have clearly designed it round a petrol engine with nylon inserts in the linkages and steel control horns to stop rf interference." Gordon Taylor, HRCGC founder member and former ADS member.

Monday 10 February 2014

To Tow or Not to Tow...

As the members of the HGC get older and infirmer the time may come when hills are off limits, or afforested, so the decision was taken at the last DGM committee meeting (Daily General Meeting) to purchase a club tow plane, and the choice came down to: a Miss Morava; Bidule 55; Wot4 Xtreme and Sig Rascal.

After a lengthy chat with Mike at West Wales Models the Bidule was chosen for its build quality and the fact that it is used by the military for target towing and surveillance, with hundreds of hours flying, some at extreme altitude.

Now we'll have to master the art of the aerotow, which some say is straightforward and others... At least we have the perfect plane for the job and with Taylor at the controls we are in safe hands (or thumbs).

Sunday 9 February 2014

Weasel Evo (RIP)

Somewhere on the back side of the Cat's Back a Weasel is drawing its last breath, or rather twitching out the last dregs of its 4.8mA NiMh flight battery. I don't think it wanted to be found. Despite exhaustive searches on the treacherous slopes of this amazing hump back, the Weasel evaded discovery, and the search was reluctantly abandoned.

And the lesson? When another member, well the only other member of the HSRCGC, maidens his Mini Vector, and comes close to piling into the hillside, keep your eyes on your Weasel...

RIP, we had many, many flights together. But I am not sad. Weasels are all very well, but no substitute for something with wings, tail, at least four servos, a wing span of 3m or more and preferably made in Germany.

It's just the thought of the little Weasel, up there in the cold, lost, abandoned and it was all my fault. Forgive me Wee Weasel...

Highland Slopers Go Live

Welcome to the Highland Slopers blog. Not much to say as yet but we will post some stuff when we remember.

Our patch covers some of the most beautiful and rugged scenery in the UK, shared only with eagles, Tornado jets, deer and sympathetic game keepers, stalkers and the occasional hill walker.

Luckily, in Scotland, we have the right to roam wherever we want so long as we are responsible and sensitive to other hill users, man and beast. The right to fly model gliders is enshrined in the landmark legislation, which makes Scotland a paradise for slope flying, even if the landing is often extremely rugged.

One day, however, it will all be reforested and our slopes will disappear. But for now, we enjoy some of the best flying in the country. Although more often than not it's blowing a gale, from the wrong direction, or raining.