|
If you are like most modelers, you have heard about "3D" flying, probably saw it, and might have even tried a few things. But the whole idea may still be a little unclear.....So what makes a plane fly 3D, what are the maneuvers, how do you do them.... Well read on, and we'll try to get you up to speed!
What does 3D mean?
The simplest way to explain it is any maneuver done while the wing is fully stalled.... It can be a tumble, a hover, a decent with the nose at 45 deg.. or almost anything else where the wing is not creating lift for flight, rather the engine thrust and flight control surfaces are doing the most work.
What makes a plane 3D capable?
All the 3D maneuvers are mixed up with conventional aerobatics to make a breathtaking routine.... But unlike other types of flying, a specific plane is needed. To fly 3D, you have to have a plane that's has lots of pitch and yaw control. Elevators taking up 50%-60% of horizontal stabilizer's surface is a must. They need to be able to travel to 45 deg in either way. The same is true for the Rudder. Ailerons should also be large, but will require less throw than the rudder and elevator.
Hangar 9 makes the CAP 232.... For larger planes, it is a great choice for 3D flight. Our little planes do all the maneuvers shown, and just as well as the big planes. Most people practice the tricks with the little guy, and then when it is mastered, feel comfortable moving up to the BIG plane for airshows.
High Alpha
You will hear people talking about High Alpha.... it is simply a fancy name for flight at high angles of attack. It means that the wing is not producing enough lift to fly. In HA flight, the engines thrust, combined with the elevator or rudders deflection provides the plane with control and altitude. It is very much like a boat in water.... air is not flowing over the wing, but rather against the bottom of it. just like sticking your hand out the window of a car and rotating your palm back and forth. The same is applied to the fuselage side.... it too can keep you "suspended" in air when combined with enough thrust and rudder deflection. To be good at 3D a plane must be able to make a clean transition to HA flight from conventional flight.... with out snapping. The key to this is large control surfaces.
The Maneuvers
There are 5 basic 3D maneuvers that will give you the basics for all your advanced stuff.
the Harrier
- very slow forward flight in a very nose high (about 45 degrees) attitude.
Torque roll
- "hovering" vertically in place, rotating left around its roll axis.
The Elevator
- where the plane drops vertically while in a nose high attitude.
Waterfall
- a continuous tail-over-nose descending flip. It is not a loop, but the aircraft actually flops around its canopy.
The Blender
- a vertical diving roll that virtually stops its descent as it instantaneously enters into a flat spin.
All it takes is some practice and you can be flying them!
|
