Loren's 1/4 Scale Schleicher K 8 Sailplane

Flown 29 July 2022 at Mead Field just west of Omaha, Nebraska.
Loren Blinde's ¼ scale model of a Schleicher K-8 sailplane, built from a Flair (UK) kit. 148” span. Towed by a ¼ scale Wilga 35 with a 52 cc engine. Flying the tow plane is Tom Wild. Both from Lincoln, Nebraska.

[@anthonymoore4335]

Cool to see a scale Wilga doing prototype work!

[@ClaytonRW65]

Beautiful

[@FreeFlightDigest]

Looking forward to seeing your next video!

[@MGChen-hh7wf]

Hi Nelson, It’s nice to see the sail plane was towed up by the engine plane, like the full scale ones. Please let me know if the tow rope was abandoned after the sail plane released its hook in the air. I noticed the tow plane did not carry the rope back. It’s actually not safe to tow back the rope in my idea. I flew tow-line free flight glider when I was 8th grade, we normally tied a small red ribbon at the ring that was put on the hook under the belly of the glider, so we could find out the line easily on the field. Thank you

[@J3Flyah]

Hi Chen, Yes, look closely at the video. The tow plane has the rope attached as it lands. When they do, it saves time looking for it after being released in the air. The rope also has a small orange parachute that opens on the tow plane end when released. When landing, Tom brings the tow plane in high on approach so as to not drag the line through the corn. You are right, that would not have a good ending if it caught on the corn stalks.

[@MGChen-hh7wf]

@@J3Flyah Thank you for your reply.