Ultra light sloper build
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Slope soarer design inspired by discus launch gliders. Spring - Pull elevator and rudder using kevlar kite line and 0.4mm spring wire. 6mm depron covered with 43 micron iron-on laminate (New Stuff).
1.5m wingspan 150mm x 19mm airfoil (13%) Flying weight 410g with 500mAh battery.
Plans and build tips - newtonairlines....
MATERIALS
Bulk Depron - www.tradewareho...
Skyshark P4X spars - www.kitesandfun...
New Stuff iron-on film - EZload laminate - www.neopostonli...
Blank ID cards - Ebay www.ebay.com.au...
Newton Airlines blog - newtonairlines....
Website - anewton.net
I finally found a slope from which to soar! It was amazing! Can't wait to get back out again!
Now I can copy tons of you're awesome builds! Thanks for the ideas!
Excellent news. Sloping rules!
Bayou are making me go nuts...I gotta try this, but not enough time, even in a month! Love the spring push- pull.
Easy build, wouldn't take long. Or you could buy one of these - www.banggood.com/Unique-Models-U-Glider-1500mm-Wingspan-EPO-Glider-RC-Airplane-PNP-p-1109251.html Review coming soon
Hey, great video. I built a slope soarer based off your video, with my own modifications. Maiden it today, and it flew great,. So satisfying.
Thanks😃
That's great, I need to build another one
looked up your vid to see a quick and easy way to attach a boom to a foam fuse pod - going to try my hand at the string pull mechanism as well. Thanks for the content!
Yes do it. Spring pull is excellent for this sort of light glider
Hi Andrew, hello from Brazil ! GREAT VIDEOS and solutions, congratulations !! This is what our hobby community needs ! Any time you come to Brazil, let´s go fly at slope !
Marcos Lordello Quito Thanks Marcos, it's a deal.
A very informative build video. Exploring your later (2018'ish) but similar N3UTRON sloper.
This too looks to be a lovely sloper. :)
Nice build! Something lots of people could have a go at. Nice straight forward video and explanation too.
+valderja Yes easy build and a great sloper
Very nice build Andrew. I also like the Twin boom plane.
I like the spring hinge that might just solve my problem of dual elevators on 1 servo. Thanks Andrew
Yes that would be a good solution.
Im having a problem getting wire thin enough. I had some from another toy grade plane but my servos are not strong enough to pull against the spring and if i make control horns much longer the throes will be tiny. Any advice on where to get some 0.3 wire from. Thanks Matt
#throws
Nice one Andrew, a low drag lightweight, she flies really nice m8....well done...Weathers closed in on us here in the UK....I need your clips to get my fix !!!!
Wow man, I am very impressed with the combo of laminating film and depron. Got to try it out with the styro sheet I scab from recycling bins. :D
Very nice build as always Andrew. Thanks for another top vid mate.
Like it. I need to build something to take to my mum's at xmas. So I'll try a dihedral 1.5 mtr glider build like this one. It'll need to be an easy transportable version. And I may well put a small motor and folding prop on it for peace of mind as I haven't done more than a few minutes of non-powered flight up till now..
Excellent - I love your videos and build style! Very clever torsion design as well!
Another great video Andrew and an excellent design. Thanks.
Great video. Very informative. That isn't exactly my idea of a pretty glider, but it is well thought out and you provide lots of great insight and instruction. Nicely done.
Thanks Robert
Great stuff, havent built a model in years now every is high tech, doc lam film, foam
carbon fibre tubes and glue guns. Wow.
nice design Andrew - thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot for "Hot wire art". Deeply impressed by your effectiveness.
Thanks
Great model great idea great build video and beautiful to watch it fly
Yes it's one of my favourites.
Another nice one, Andrew. Well done!
Thanks Rocky. You have some nice videos too.
Great build Andrew, thanks so much for sharing your experience. Makes me want to go out and build one now. Knowing how I iron, I'd have creases in the wings ... :-(
Pat Robinson
Awesome build I'd like to see more videos of it flying
Search my channel for Ultra Light and you will find them
hello Andrew, i like the way you built your planes. but why do you use hot glue and not super glue or epoxy. These glues are lighter and stronger in the end. br chris
Andrew , you da man . I remember when you used to build little extension tubes for the coolpix camera
next project should be a rebreather
:-)
cheers
nunz
Hi Andrew: Great videos you have. I learned a lot watching your videos. This video inspired me to make me a foam glider using the same Technics you used in the video. I did mine about 2.3 Meters wing span and used 3 FC rods for the boom. The only thing different I did was that I covered the wing using 0.7 oz Fiberglass with epoxy resin and reinforced the joints with 6 oz FG. First I built it as a glider and It flew great but living in Florida I don't have Slopes to really fly it. Managed to fly it from a man made slope about 10 Meters high on a park close to where I live but I only had enough lift to just keep it over a few meters over the hill. Now I chopped the nose off and Added an Electric motor to it. a 960 Kv with a 12x6 prop. and this is my favorite plane now. Here is the video I wanted to share with you when it was a full glider ua-cam.com/video/Jrfz9xy19Yg/v-deo.html
Here is another video when I added the motor ua-cam.com/video/TcJFClrsnNQ/v-deo.html
Fantastic Jorge, thanks for sharing your success. I have not yet tried fibreglassing wings, maybe one day.
That's a top job, I may built one myself for those calmer days.
Do it Doug, it's a ripper
The tension rod is a really good idea
Sweet build - a very light wind sloper is great fun when everyone else has been forced to land in light wind !
I'd love to see your newer build of this; you must have a 3D printer by now for the fiddly bits!?
Yes I should do a new version
Hi andrew, I’m into scratchbuilding, but I don’t know what motor/esc/battery/prop to use? Currently I have an emax 2250kv with a flite test 20a esc. This setup hasn’t been capable enough, and I need to replace it. Me builds are about 600mm to 1500mm and weigh 250g to 500. I need a versatile setup that will be able to do this, any ideas?
Thanks for any help, Bo.
My go to all round motor is the SunnySky X2212 1400kV. 8x6 or 8x4 prop. 3S or 4S battery what ever capacity suits your plane 1300 up to 3000. 30 to 40A esc will cover everything
@@AndrewNewton Thanks very much. I might use this for the scratch build Talon GT I’m doing. Also, where is a place I can get this, that ships to Aus?
Very nice, thanks for showing all the great ideas used in the build!
wonder if current consumption increases significantly by the servos constantly pulling against the spring-loaded elevator & rudder. Have you had a chance to measure it?
...Too bad we don't have this document laminating film here.
50mm packing tape will do the job. I have not measured the current but you can add a counter spring to the servo arm I believe.
Thanks for replying. Love the counter-spring idea!
Beautiful indeed!
Great little build. It's amazing how something so cheap to build can be so fun. A lot of bang for your buck on this one :-)
+RoboTekno Better with a balsa pod, see the fusion vid
You might also mentioned that one of the advantages to using the pull and release, single line method for controlling the rudder and elevator is that you don't have to worry about flexing a of a control rod when running it through a tail boom.
What are you using for the tailboom and wing spar? They look to be the same thing.
Looks like a great flier.
You are right Keith. Spar and boom are Skyshark P4X from Kites and fun things. Great for big kite spars too.
Hello Andrew, my name is Keith, I live in Michigan USA. On the west coast of the state we have a large lake, Lake Michigan and it has elevated dunes which I am sure is great for slope soaring. I think I would like to build up one of your of plans for that or even for hand launch. I appreciate you getting back to me. I am enjoying checking out your ideas, it looks like you have some great ones. I especially like the Peace Drone for a powered platform.
Nice work and also nice video ! I wish you always happy landings with this rc - glider .
+MrCrossbiker Nice comment.This one has been superseded with the Fusion but it taught me well.
Build a 1.2m span hlg glider out of an old fishing rod and the lightes depron i fond... Use only 2 Servos, together with an smal 500mah 1s.
The Wing is hotwirered out of pink foam, but a styropor wing would be lighter. The weight of the setup is ~210g ( 150g the wing, 60g the fuselage :)
Want to try slope sore with it in the next days :)
Did I need Elevans for a sloper ?!
Greedings !
Hello, do you mean ailerons? If you have dihedral in the wings you may not need ailerons. Sounds like a super lightweight glider. Good luck.
My question shold be :
Need a Soarer Ailerons ?! :)
I hope it will float !
Have a nice day ! :)
very very goooooooooooooooooooooooooood really like this wing you made can also be made for model airplanes
Great Vkdeo, thanks again for posting. Question: When you have a longer boom such as this how much weight is needed to get the CG right without a motor.
I understand you got thr tail section lighter using torsion spring and kept servos in fuselage etc.
Thanks. I just select a heavy enough battery to balance on CG. Or I may design the nose length to use the battery I have. Might have been a 500mAH 2S
@AndrewNewton
Are these carbon rods a lot lighter than say the same length wooden dowel?
If I typically use a 1/8 diameter 30" boom.
Would same size carbon fiber reduce weight of tail?
Probably similar weight but much stronger. Dowel is fine on light models
@AndrewNewton
Thank you.
Your videos date back some years.
How long have you been into aviation in general & how long RC Flying?
Were you into as a child, teenager, or as an adult? I read many enjoyed the Hobby as kids then get back into into there 70s & 80s which is very cool.
I only started with RC flight in 2013
Andrew, much love
Fantastic build video, and elegant design!
Stephen Tack Thanks it reminds me of a dragonfly
I'd like really to know how to strengthen the foam.. so shinny and smooth...
Covered with clear packing tape or iron-on document laminating film.
@@AndrewNewton i had bad experiences when i'm working with packing tape.. slow but sure, air bubbles appeared under the tape layer and made the plane surface so ugly, and the strength of the foam is so weak.. do you have any advice for me working with tape or other materials?
That is awesome, really enjoy your builds man. Tks for sharing.
Nice plane project. Simple and pretty flying. But i have a question. This system that forcing the stabs (elev and rud) to one side using spring wire does not damage the servos?
Admar A Godoy It could be a problem if the spring was too strong with weak plastic geared servos but this combo is working well.
Yet again a great looking soarer..
I am going to order the materials.
Is there any way of getting the dimensions, like when leading fold should be and stuff?
length of spars, etc...
Yes Kevin. Most of that stuff is in the video or links below. But I'll do a more detailed blog post soon.
exelent build video Andrew!!! let"s go to fly again!!!
I actually get a little jealous of how you know this stuff
Lots of experimenting and mistakes, and copying other clever people.
Greetings Newton. I've been enrolled in your channel a short time ago, and I'm curious about the meaning of the Kn unit. I see in your videos that you measure the speed of the wind and inform the values as for example 6Kn or 10Kn. My question is: what is the relation between Kn and Km / h? 1 Kn equals how many Km / h?
I apologize for my English, I only speak Portuguese and I am using translation online. Congratulations on the channel.
Hello and many thanks. Knots = Nautical miles per hour. 1kn = 1.85km/h
Thank you!
Lovely looking plane.
awesome build, looks reasonably straight forward, is the material you use for the wings and fuzz readily available in Oz please?, Thank you Baz
+Barry Durrant Read the description Barry
+Andrew Newton , my apologies Andrew, I should have mentioned Im in New Zealand, so whether the material is available here I will check with a hobby shop. Thank you again..
+Barry Durrant Hi Barry. I bought the depron in bulk online to reduce the cost per board to about $5.20. Good luck. Beware of "Art shop" foamboard. It will most likely be heavy and expensive.
+Barry Durrant Frame and Art shops in NZ have 3 or 5mm foam board that is similar to Depron - a nice foam with a dense surface. The paper needs to be soaked and rubbed off though. Often available as off cuts for free that will suit smaller models.
Light Lam film from Graphica, 343 Church St, Onehunga, Auckland, some copy shops as roll ends and online.
I would suggest loosing the DLG tail feathers for a V tail as sub rudder is not required and makes landing near impossible without damage. Further weight reductions possible by using epoxy glues, light weight wrapped carbon boom from a (broken) fishing rod, and carbon fibre tow or 1mm rod top and bottom surface spars. Spars may not be needed on a one metre wing. A 8-9% wing with a bar sanded in AG03 foil will give better penetration and performance that will help if used for thermalling (www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1643253)
Thank you for this nice video.
Regarding the angle between the main wing and the fuselage, and the angle between the horizontal stabiliser and the fuselage, did you simply set them to zero ?
What is the tail volume of your design ?
ramy gad Yes it's roughly zero, just by eye. Tail volume? See the blog link above for measurements
Thank you
Hi Andrew- On this plane when you say the wing cord is 150mm or 6" is that typically from leading edge of wing to tail end of Ailerons? or 150mm plus 1" or 1.5" extra for Ailerons.
Wing chord is leading edge of the wing to trailing edge of the ailerons. Ailerons are included in the 150mm
@@AndrewNewton
Thanks-
I’m new to custom builds myself & learning a lot.
I know gliders tend to have much longer wingspan in general.
What effect does having a longer wing cord flights?
What difference would you achieve having a 5”, 7” or 9” wing cord on same wingspan?
Really nice build.
Hi Andrew. Great plane and video! what is the diameter of the CF fuse rod and could this be adapted to be a DLG aircraft? Thanks for the plans and "how to" portion of the video.
It's about 7.5mm Link in the description. Would have to be much stiffer for DLG throws
Thanks for the reply and the information. I am wanting to build a very low cost first time DLG and I thought this Slope Soarer design would be a good way to start. Would you mind to suggest what diameter CF rod that would be sufficient for a DLG build based on your design?
Rough guess - 20mm to 12mm tapered, thin wall, woven boom is what a DLG needs. Most straight tubes will be too thick walled and heavy. Could try old fishing rod?
Andrew, how do you get the semi symmetrical wing profile in the correct upright flight mode, and do both halves consistent to each other. Great simple build I’m considering for 2.5m for park flying.
It's not an accurate build method. Push down harder while gluing for a flat bottom, less hard for semi symmetrical
I must ask....if 410 grams is considered light, then how much is average? Usually for me when I scratch build sailplanes of the size I aim for 100 grams or less, so I'm curious to know how much heavier your slope soarers are.
Slope soarers need to be tough and often need extra weight for penetration. Average weight? Depends on the size
Never to late to add comments. Nice plane but it would be wise to reinforce the fuselage with plywood of balsa wood.
The fixation of the rubber bands in the front makes the fuselage weak by it's pulling forse. One nose landing and the fuselage will bend....
But please keep the good work going on ... i realy like your vids!!
Kind regards
+John Sauren (Paranormaal Medium) Just have to fly carefully, but you are right . This has been superseded by the balsa pod fusion mad flipping sloper.
+Andrew Newton I am a beginner again after 20 years LoL ... but soaring is a kind of different flying.
Is there a plan to download of the Fusion plane?
+John Sauren (Paranormaal Medium) Hey John. My Fusion build overview video here - ua-cam.com/video/DDy7qZk4czc/v-deo.html and there is a link to the RCGroups discussion in the description
+Andrew Newton Do you have a tutorial to get the CG ???
awesome work mate..I'm inspired now..
Excellent, it's a winner
Love it, Good job Andrew!
Tomsun_UK ii
Wow, really impressed with that.
Do you remember what diameter carbon tube you used for the fuselage?
7.5mm - link in the description
Not sure why I did not look there first. I usually do. That supplier has a lot of what I am looking for. Thank you for your response!
Good video!!!What is the name of main wing cover film? Where I can buy it? answer please!!!.....
Listed in the description
@@AndrewNewton Thankyou for your answer !!!!!.....
The performance would be greatly, greatly improved with an elliptical wing shape and airfoils on the tails. Those changes would make a great plane AWESOME!
really nice. did you go for any dihedral in the wing ? I'm curious how you perceive the performance of this design vs a plane like the red sloper. clearly it can handle lighter wind but does it feel faster or any more nimble?
28th St. Air Land & Sea I can swap wings depending on mood so I'll do some direct comparisons soon. The white wing has a 13% airfoil 150x19 and it's slower but more aerobatic. The Red sloper is 10% 190x19 and is heavier and faster.
Sweet build! Very nice.
Alejo, you need to change your Google Plus privacy setting for me to reply direct to your comment. Weight is in the description.
Could it be built out of balsa and have the same characteristics?
Yes, balsa would work well
I love one-of-a-kinds. Nicely done.
Thanks john. Nothing like the beauty of your big thermal glider however.
Oh boy - I really shouldn't watch your wonderful builds - you make it look so easy and describe it so well I can't help but want to make my own (ie. re-prioritise my good wife's list of must-do jobs and risk making her a bit cranky!). A big thank you once again. I'm wondering if this particular build was done before you got into foam wing cutting and whether you'd employ that for a similar future build instead of the folded depron? I've just made my shiny new wire cutter to your spec and really want to use it! Cheers and thank you from Sydney - Dave
Hello Dave. This was before I tried hot wire cutting. I have done more recent versions. Search for the fusion and balsa versions. It's difficult to stop the wings twisting during the build but great results when it works.
Hi Andrew - thanks for your reply. I figured as much. If I may ask please, how does the Bunnings foam (Knauf) go with twisting/warping after covering with tape (I have the HobbyKing 45 micron tape)? BTW, I'm currently building a spar drilling jig and think I will drill using the wing profile template before cutting the wing so I can ensure alignment (I'm sure my measuring won't be as accurate as yours!). When I get a bit proficient and daring, I'll attempt to drill in some dihedral, first checking measurements in Sketchup. It's all wonderful and I wish I had more time to do this - your videos are wonderfully inspiring!! :) Cheers and thank you, Dave
It really depends on the airfoil thickness. 25mm is no problem but thinner than about 20mm is more difficult to keep flat while covering. Tape is easier than iron-on laminate. Good luck mate and let me know how it goes.
Thanks Andrew. Hopefully I'll finish the spar driller tomorrow and my boy and I can cut our very first wing profile. We'll have a go at the NACA 64-514 used on the Pilatus Porter - going for 1200mm total span, probably stretch the chord out to closer to 190mm. So exciting! Cheers mate - will keep you posted. Dave
Very nice build
I can't seem to find the dimensions for the wing formers. Can someone help me out? Great build btw, thank you Andrew!!
beefxer You're right. Don't think I mentioned them anywhere. Formers are single layer of 6mm depron x 20mm wide.
Andrew Newton Thanks!
hello, i´m from colombia, and i have a question, how much weigt the plane. and thanks for yours videos.
Flying weight 410g with 500mAh battery.
mmm ok thanks.now I understand when I replay the video. I´m trying learn more english.
Very interesting technology... spring-tensioned wire.
I like this control method for light gliders.
Thats quite good for your CG I think. My models are build of foam, some wood and adhesive tape (scotch-tape).
As the motor, prop, lipo and esc in front, so the "tail" servo are placed as far, as possible. So my models are well-balanced.
Recently I vave my Spitfire maiden! Surprisingly, it was a bit tailheavy.
I think I will use your technology in near future in Extra 300, or motorised soarer. I donk know that I want more, extra or soarer... :(
Hello Andrew, I am watched your videos hundred times, finally finished ULS yesterday. But i dont know where the CG must ? Also can u tell me your battery is 3S or 2S 500mah ?
Burak Yavuzer Excellent. CG is 50mm back from the leading edge and I needed the 3S for the weight.
very nice glad you do so well its good to see the best from california !!!!
+Fred Glotz Thanks Fred, greeting from Victoria
No dihedral?
Not on an aerobatic sloper
fiz um , voou perfeitamente, motor emax 2212 1530 kv e bateria de 1000mah.
ficou show de bola
+Sidão Fonseca I reckon it would work well with a small motor
Andrew, good morning, how are you?
Would you like to tell us the size of the wing and the fuselage ... there's a friend of mine who wants to build the model you made, and we need this information.
Hug
Hello, that's good to hear. Here is all the information and good luck, let me know how you go newtonairlines.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/ultra-light-slope-soarer.html
Andrew, I'm fine, thank you!
I'm building some model airplanes as usual, kkkk. I have a friend who is entering the sport and has a lot of desire to make his own model, there I showed his constructions and he was enchanted with this model.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Good weekend. And let's build!
Health and peace to all! Big hug
Wow, how cool! Newton airlines, Congratulations on the blog, very good indeed, I will spread it here in Brazil to my friends!
Странно и не понятно. Верх и низ крыла одинаковой гибкости, так с какого перепугу закладки формируют верхний профиль крыла???
Have to push down on the wing when it is glueing to keep the under surface flatter.
Fantastic!
I plugged a 1c 780mah lipo into my turnigy xr7000 receiver, and there was a pop sound and yellow smoke came out of the top.Now it doesn't do anything. Can anyone tell me what i've donee wrong?
+Finlay Sandham Don't think you did anything wrong. Are you sure it's a 1C? Time to buy a new receiver anyway.
Andrew Newton Thx, ill try a different battery next time.
Well done.
Ta
So cool.
wonderful job ! wow wow !!!
I need to make a new version, it was a ripper
do you think that dentafloss could replace kevlar rope?
Yes that would be good
good day.how much weight the model has turned out? and reloaded as a model during the flight?
410g with 500mAH 3S battery
Hey Andrew
I just built one of theese and it flies amazing!
But I have a few problems with it... where can I contact you, so I can explain it to you?!
+Bjarne Kautz Hello Bjarne, email me apnewton@gmail.com
+Andrew Newton Thanks a lot... Gonna write during Sunday evening (CET)
Maravilloso........!
Hi Andrew how big are the formers that holding the spar?
I think I used 4mm foamboard strips for formers to position a 5mm spar.
Just checked the build video, I used 6mm formers and my usual Skyshark P4X spar 7.5mm
Wow - very cool.
Another great video from Andrew, ty! +1
Thanks, this has turned out to be an excellent design
tem como o senhor disponibilizar essa planta amigo ?
+Sidão Fonseca More info here amigo - newtonairlines.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/ultra-light-slope-soarer.html
do you think it would work as a DLG?
rallekralle11 With a thinner wing and strengthened throwing tip and it might.
Bravo mate ! Andrew, how can i correspond with you ? I d k if i should post my e-m here.
Greetings apnewton@gmail.com
Gotcha. Thanks man
Great video. Thanx.
Would this lamination film work on any foam? EPO, EPP, etc?
Yes, commonly used on Le Fish EPP.
OK. pity they don`t sell in less than hugely not required amounts.
Any chance you could post me 10m and I could put some money in your bank to cover costs?
Kevin Ray No I'm not selling mine Kevin, but I bought my first lot by the meter from aussieflight in QLD.
aussieflight.. roger. thank you
awesome foamie
Thank you Sir!!
plane wing length
parabéns pelo modelo
+Sidão Fonseca Thanks, but have a look at the Fusion, which is a better version.
muchas gracias desde Guadalajara jalisco , mexico ¡¡¡
Aprendiz ,
I love it