Next: Calendar of Events
Up: Front Page
Previous: From the Puckerbrush...
Cross-country flying is a challenging treat - while defined
differently than with
full-scale planes, it still involves taking off from one airfield and
landing at another. Cross-country flying requires
pilot flexibility, endurance and
coordination, and sometimes modifications to the airplane for very
long flights. Let's take a look at what's involved, and how you can
prepare yourself for your first cross country flight.
Although some cross country flights are competitions to see who can
fly farthest on a specified amount of fuel, most cross country flights
are simply a point-to-point affair and the goal is simply to arrive,
having enjoyed the trip. The length of the flight dictates what
preparations are needed. I will divide such lengths into three
categories. As you might expect, the flying requirements scale with
distance:
By short distance, I mean flights that are shorter
than 3-5 miles, or about 10-15 minutes of flight. These flights are
comparable to the length of a typical flight, and typically impose no
modifications to the plane. So what do we need?
- Most importantly, the airplane must be stable and familiar to
the pilot. The engine must be reliable, with sufficient fuel
for the trip, with reserve. If you increase the size of the fuel
tank, be sure to check the plane for balance and fly with the new
configuration prior to the cross-country flight.
-
Electric planes can also participate in short-distance cross
country. Most well-designed electric planes can sustain 5-15 minute
flights, especially if flown at a reduced power setting. Planes with
low wing loadings and clean lines work best, as little power is needed
to maintain level flight. An electric Spitfire might not
have the efficiency and endurance to make the trip, but an ElectriCub
or a sport trainer like the Goldberg Mirage would. Pattern/racing
planes like the Electrostreak typically have short (5-10 min) run times, but
also cover a lot of ground in that time. - As with all cross country flights, it is important to have
designated spotters to help the pilot(s) keep track of the plane, with
the added distractions of the chase vehicle, traffic, other planes,
changing scenery, etc.
Medium distance cross country flight are less than 30 miles,
or about one hour. In other words, they are longer than the typical
RC flight but comfortably shorter than the standard
transmitter/receiver battery lifetime. This requires efficient flying
technique, added fuel, and pilot endurance.
- With the lengthened distance, additional fuel must be added to
the aircraft. This can be minimized by flying more efficiently at a
lower throttle setting, flying planes that are aerodynamically
``clean'', lightweight, and have sufficient wing area. Take a test
flight at the field with your current fuel tank and see how long you
can fly before you go dead stick (or land before the fuel runs out and
explicitly measure how much fuel remains in the tank.
-
Duration electric
sailplanes make good distance flyers. On a day with even modest lift, you
can soar from one thermal to another and cover 10-30 miles in an hour.
However, sailplanes and glow sport planes should travel separately, as
they are covering ground at different speeds! - In addition to spotters and support crew, the pilot must be
prepared to fly for an extended period of time. Wearing caps and
sunglasses to reduce glare and eye strain is a must. When there's
low/no traffic at the flying field, try a 30-60 minute flight to
simulate the actual cross country flight. This way, you'll be
mentally prepared for the length of flight. Your neck will appreciate
the advanced notice too... :)
Next month, we'll see what it takes to fly an RC plane literally
``cross-country''! :)
Next: Calendar of Events
Up: Front Page
Previous: From the Puckerbrush...
Craig Kulesa
Fri Dec 1 16:50:01 MST 2000