Thermal strategy for DLG glider

[@nickgeomap]

Yep, that first big thermal is something you never forget. And no matter how many you catch, it just never gets old :)

[@carlosclaptrix]

You caught my interest for the world of thermal soaring. Great explanations.

[@pmatthias]

Thanks.This has been a great help. I have been stugling to get more than 1 min flights for a year now with my elf. Been whatching your videos and I have been climbing like an eagle maxed out at 3.49min today. Cheers.

[@ifly65]

Thanks for the great video! This is how people should do videos, with no music. I like to hear the wind and the bird. I just started DLG and my first day I caught a monster thermal by luck. My Stobel V3 turned into a dot and I had to bail.

[@nickgeomap]

Yep. You don't get those big ones very often, but they keep you coming back :)

[@achilles22382]

this was amazing. so peaceful, just back to basics. the fun of RC flight. im flying a quadrotor with GPS and 2 gopros and a 1.3 gHz FPV system and it all just gets so intense and complicated. i miss this sort of thing.

[@MachineElf]

I love watching this film, only once or twice over the years have I managed to catch a thermal like this and its such a buzz watching your glider getting smaller. The featherweight DLG seems to be the way to go.

[@alpenjon]

Very instructional, thank you

[@nickgeomap]

This is a Super Topsky II (Disser wing). I have been very impressed with it's performance as a thermal floater. Does not launch quite as high as my Blaster III, but floats better so overall flight times are very similar. At roughly half the price of European models, the price performance ratio is unbeatable.

[@RobinDChrisChurch]

Wonderful video! Great thermal scouting! Enjoyed watching this a lot.

[@kristofferrydquist8384]

Thanks for a very good video! Seven minutes went by in a flash. I've only managed to catch a few accidental thermals so far, this will help for sure.

[@georgehunter2813]

Sounds like summer time east of the Mississippi. Neat background sounds.

[@nickgeomap]

Actually it is in Laos in midsummer (wet season) so the climate might actually be quite similar.

[@georgehunter2813]

@@nickgeomap Humid continental summer. Lot's of greenery. Bio-life in full upwelling chorus just like a good thermal. Going up.

[@Mammalshaker]

Great video, I'm thinking of getting and Apache DLG, your one looks top end! Enjoyed the informative text - Thanks!

[@nickgeomap]

Thanks. I have also toyed with complex camera and onboard GPS etc, but the work to fun ratio goes up exponentially with more widgets and wires!

[@wordreet]

I love it man! Yes, I can see now that all those 'annoying' bumps and lumps are messages for you to read. I just started rc flying/gliding last weekend with a Bixler2. Plus I have an Easy Pigeon sitting here with it's hugely heavy brushed motor up front. I will maiden it tomorrow at the "Devon Glider Day" here in SW England. But I have a feeling that I will remove the motor and ballast it instead. Now I have to decide whether I should be saving for a Blaster DLG or a Hobby Lathe. DOH!

[@harun78rcsoaring]

your eyes as sharp as eagle to sense the thermal even eagle couldnt do that at low level! unbelievable!

[@ceej100]

Awesome video. Clear and easy to understand. Once I've built a Supergee II, I shall be back here aa

[@FlyingFun.]

Nice video and nice thermalling, I love flying my blaster2 and catching thermals is an art, some days I can find them easy others I just cant seem to get a ride, I find that 11 am is usually the best time to start looking and if the sun is out I am just about garanteed to find some good ones at that time. I have not made a video of mine yet - too busy flying it lol! I am trying to get the hang of following the wind in the 3rd vector to get to the thermals quicker and that seems to work out OK.

[@nickgeomap]

Some people sneer at Chinese made kits, but it is clear to me that Top Soaring has worked hard to get quality up and improve design with each generation of their mdels. If you build them well, the price performance ratio of Topsky DLGs is unbeatable :)

[@nickgeomap]

Depends where you are. I chose Singapore Hobby because they are closest supplier to me.

[@nickgeomap]

Hobby King altimeter. It is about the size of a thumbnail. Uses a USB adaptor to plug into computer. A bit difficult to set up but very light and effective.

[@kahp23]

a very good flight ! RESPECT

[@김희수-y9f]

You are my teacher in internet U-tube Great catch a thermal ..Small and grow up to bigger thermal

[@nickgeomap]

Teaching is half the fun :)

[@김희수-y9f]

Now I have DLG glider Blaster3 Light And now I enjoy to thermal flight everyday Because I has watching your move . Thanks Nick ^^;; And I'm from korea

[@nickgeomap]

Hobbyking altimeter. Actually manufactured by Fly-Dream (fd-rc.com). Very small and light. Cant see the results in the field, but it records data at 8Hz for about 10 hours. Then you download and plot it on computer.

[@nickgeomap]

Operation is easy. Getting it to talk to the computer is the tricky bit. Drivers and software have to be downloaded from a third party website (not listed in the pack) and I had to disable bluetooth to free up some ports.

[@eddysnow]

thank for answer. Which one could you recommend from Singapore Hobby or another shop?

[@vosper24]

Great video. You make it look easy....lol

[@morbhyanmorbhyan]

Hello Sir, I´m beginning to fly rc gliders, and it´s wonderful your hands. What level..... I´m enjoy a lot with your videos.Thanks.

[@nickgeomap]

+morbhyanmorbhyan Typical launches get to about 25 or 28m. If I launch into a strong breeze I occasionally get up to 40m, but it is not necessary. You can catch good thermals from 20m. Ideal conditions are a cool night followed by a clear sunny morning to warm up the ground and a very light breeze to move the thermals along.

[@chrisberardi5999]

Great videos. Thanks for sharing. What are you using for altitude recording?

[@eddysnow]

where did you buy your dlg glider? great video !

[@newone2913]

When power fliers walk up ask how its done, put ur phone to your ear, swine eat pearls- remember that.

[@joekiffmeyer7421]

Thanks for the thermal tips, Nick. When you bank hard into a lift are you using both ailerons and rudder?...or just rudder? Thanks.

[@nickgeomap]

I use both, but the ailerons are very wide on the Topsky so only a tiny amount of movement is required to initiate the turn, then gentle rudder and elevator to keep it going. Ailerons are used during the turn to keep the bank angle constant because you will likely get knocked about a bit, particularly near the edges of the thermal where the air is sheared and turbulent.

[@harun78rcsoaring]

ok. ic. why so difficult? just plug in to receiver right?

[@eddysnow]

which one from Sigapore Hobby do you have?

[@MoloccoloM]

very helpfull, thx for the great video :)

[@nickgeomap]

That one came from Singapore Hobby

[@tmasopust]

What is your typical launch height? I've just finished my TopSky 3 Disser. First DLG. Managed to catch something that kept it up for 10 minutes until I got nervous and dived out. Model seems to loose a lot of speed with up elevator and sinks noticeably faster. If I can level out with no up elevator, glide distance seems good. Is this normal behavior?

[@nickgeomap]

I typically get 32-35m (onboard altimeter). Slightly more into a head wind. The behaviour you describe is similar to mine. I think it is due to broad wings almost out to the tips. Makes for lower launches and less penetration speed, but better climb in thermals and floats very well in still air if you take it gently.

[@doomracing7769]

so what am i looking for my plaine to do when i fly threw/next to a thermal?

[@nickgeomap]

***** When you fly into a good one, the entire plane will lift strongly. Just turn down-wind and circle from there. When you get near a good one you will probably be in the sink surrounding it. Best to come back and launch again to where you think it might be. When you get very near a good one, your plane will bump around in the turbulence between the downgoing and upgoing air. Make a few wide circles and go towards the side that lifts best. Remember; Good thermals are big (100m+ wide) and they drift along with the wind. keep that in mind when you catch one.

[@harun78rcsoaring]

bro, what device u used to measure altitude?

[@Garethfrostturkeythroat113]

What’s the make and model called you have thanks

[@nickgeomap]

It is a Super Topsky 2 Disser. My build log is here; www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1657701-Super-TopSky-2-Disser-Build

[@gcoutdoors904]

I want a dlg who wants to buy me one???? well at least tell me where to get a cheap dlg that ain't a piece of crap