rcspaceflight
creator of virtual planes
. . . and I think you're both discounting the performance of that little guy
To address the question directly, the limit of DLGs have been at 1500mm because F3K says so. You'll only sell the pricier birds to people who "NEED" them, and that's the guy who doesn't want to be edged out of competition.
In practical standards, though, FAI didn't pick that number . . . um . . . out of the air.
1500mm is just about right. I start a launch with the left tip on the ground and the right tip in my hand just above my waist. As I start the turn, my arm doesn't raise/fall much, and it shouldn't -- that's one way to hook it, and on older DLGs, snap the tip. Moving from a smaller airframe to a full sized ship took a few launches to get adjusted to -- the steps and sequence didn't change but it was easy to hook it because the starting point felt weird. Longer wing, more awkward launch. I'd rather not toss much more than 1500mm.
This airframe is already seeing issues with overstressing and every mm you add, the forces MULTIPLY by that extra lever arm. In that respect Archimedes was dead on right.
Great information as always CraftyDan.
I know that the bigger it is the more stress it gets. I think me and Nic are on the same page with that. We're both after a bigger bird for the performance it'll get AND because of the challenge of it.
I was unclear as to what that magic wingspan number is. If you say that the FAI says it's 1500mm (or almost 60") then that's what I'm aiming for. Maybe I'll do what Nic is doing and go shy of it to keep the stresses down.
I don't think me or Nic are discounting the performance of a smaller DLG. (I guess I shouldn't try to speak for Nic, he can for himself.) But it's just that, a smaller version. I think we're both after the frustrating challenge of doing the "impossible". I'm sure Nic is just as stubborn as I am.
