Nighthawk Gliders Sandpiper 12 and 18 Catapult Gliders

[@NighthawkGliders]

Cool! Yeah, the Sandpiper glider is not built for a power launch, but instead is a leisure glider. it is meant to launch it into a steep right turn where it curves around and transitions over head, then it settles into a left turning glide! The “S” pattern. Glad you are enjoying it! 😊. Your hand launch of the 12 was impressive! I’d throw my arm out if I tried!

[@GrandadsOtherChannel]

That is a lovely calm evening for flying, so peaceful too :-)

[@joshuawfinn]

We've had some excellent weather lately.

[@AeroCraftAviation]

I believe the convention is for outdoor free flight models to turn RIGHT. I know the Coriolis effect would disagree...but I'm just puttin it out there. ;)

[@joshuawfinn]

Copterdude, not on free flight gliders. Climb right, glide left, assuming you're right handed. For free flight DLG, climb left, glide right, unless you're left handed. It's governed more by the biomechanics of launching than the direction of thermals. Also I haven't found an advantage from circling one direction or the other with R/C models.

[@AeroCraftAviation]

Hm. Interesting. I was not aware of that convention. As for R/C models, I have found that continuously circling left seems to land me in nice thermals (which is nice because in my small field there are seldom thermals a big enough to circle in, so I just have to maximize the time it takes to fly through 'em).

[@joshuawfinn]

That may be more of a matter of you being more comfortable turning left (yes, this is really a thing) or that your trim setup for launch sets you up for a left turn. There are lots and lots of variables.

[@AeroCraftAviation]

Yes, actually, your analysis is spot on. I am much more comfortable turning left. In fact, I was flying my 1.4 meter DLG yesterday, and tried to kick up the wing into a 90 degree right turn to avoid a tree, and I crashed. So yeah, I have to work on my fight turns.

[@stevecordle9842]

where do I get a sandpiper 18

[@joshuawfinn]

Unfortunately not available as a kit. Nighthawk Gliders does have an excellent website where they sell kits and provide very detailed instructions.

[@tux603]

Haha you disturbed the poor rooster 😊😊😊 Good glider otherwise.

[@joshuawfinn]

tux603 that bird is one mean, nasty-tempered bird. ;)