air time duration with glider

[tall n skinny]

OK-here's the deal--Julio & I have had a little competition with our gliders. Today Julio's best was 45 minutes with a 3000 mah battery. After he left I had my Radion Pro up for 1 hour & 45 seconds with a 2200 mah battery. Come on Bob Film, I know you can beat that !!
John

[Jon_Stychno]

I've been hoping for some interest to develop at the club in this segment of the hobby, glad to see you guys having fun with it. An "All up, last down" event at the club would be cool, maybe with some prize $ to make it more exciting.

[tall n skinny]

That would make it more interesting & fun. Maybe just a free raffel ticket at the next meeting after such event.
John

[Red]

If this gets some traction, we  should look into ALES (Altitude Limited Electric Soaring) type event. This allows any type of electric glider to compete on an even playing field. Basically there is a cheap module that goes in your plane and limits motor run to 30 seconds or when it reaches a pre-designated altitude (400' I think?) I know Bob Film competes in this, maybe he can give us a more info and a demonstration?

More info here: http://www.rcgroups.com/altitude-limited-electric-soaring-ales-770/

[gheumann]

Are you guys finding thermal lift out there? Or is that just staying aloft on the battery alone?

[steve_cole]

There is thermal lift at the field I have found it on several occasions with various aircarft. One time I had to land because I had to go home. 

[tall n skinny]

Being new to looking for thermals I have found a little here and there. When there's a little wind it's easier to stay up longer, too, by quartering the wind. I have been using battery to gain altitude, then cruise around looking for thermals. Then power to get back up there again. It's been fun leaning back in a chair and watching the timer on the transmiter.
John

[tall n skinny]

Here it is several months later and no one has even tried to best my time. Soooo-I guess I'll have to see if I can do a little better.

[peason]

John, I don't think I could crane my neck up to watch an airplane that long... seriously, the competition sounds like fun, but it's hard to get enough time to fly, let alone keep one plane up for nearly (or over) an hour!  I commend you guys for your abilities!
Paul

[tall n skinny]

   well, today I had my Radian up for 1 hour & 12 minutes !!! Still had a little battery left, but it was time for a break. OK, any body - with a powered glider, get it up there.
John R