racing the libelle

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Racing the Libelle Flying Techniques and Glider Improvement Michael Reid

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Page 1: Racing the Libelle

Racing the Libelle Flying Techniques and Glider Improvement

Michael Reid

Page 2: Racing the Libelle

Outline

• Racing Techniques – Sports Class Nationals 2010: Parowan, UT

• Day 3, 3rd place, 74.5 MPH (72.84 MPH Raw)

• Day 9, 1st place, 65.5 MPH (64.07 MPH Raw)

– Region 9 2011: Logan, UT • Day 2, 1st place, 70.71 MPH (69.20 MPH Raw)

• Glider Improvements – Some build photos

– Look at the glider

Page 3: Racing the Libelle

Sports Class Nationals 2010: Day 3 • Key to winning in the Libelle

– Know min 70’s would win the day

– Using Only the Start Cylinder, nicking the 2nd turn point, and the back side of the 3rd turn point would be mid 70’s in the Libelle

– Make sure largest % of flight under cloud street

– *This is the day of the mid air made famous by the FLARM YouTube Video

BK - 262 mi 74.5 MPH (72.8 MPH Raw)

Andy Blackburn - 329 mi 72.3 MPH (82.8 MPH Raw)

Page 4: Racing the Libelle

Sports Class Nationals 2010: Day 9 • Key to winning in the Libelle

– Weak day advantage – Use “thermalized ridge” as

much as possible (stay to the high ground but don’t be afraid to go low)

– Lots of little things: 1. Work ridge after trip west into

valley, return to reliable lift source

2. Fly straight up mountain face, Gavin Wills school of mountain flying (Soaring March 2002)

3. Leave 7knts for something better? Yes, if you see another glider out climbing you!

4. This ridge has worked for 2 weeks, trust it.

5. Get on final glide early, shear line forms in the center of valley

1

3

2

5 4

BK – 208 mi 65.5 MPH (64.1 MPH Raw)

Karl Striedieck- 222 mi 63.81 MPH (72.47 MPH Raw)

Page 5: Racing the Libelle

Region 9 2011: Day 2 • Key to wining in the Libelle

– Speed on the ridge is a function of glider sink rate.

– Dynamic soaring opportunities

– Raw speed won the day

WIND

Page 6: Racing the Libelle

Glider Improvements

• Tip wheel fairings • Spar bump • Tip core disbond • Spoiler cap corner cracks • Spoiler cap springs • Aileron gap seals • Aileron control rod root

seals • Rudder gap seals • Trim spring

• Canopy re-fit – Carbon fiber rails – New canopy groves – Silicon tubing – Wing upper surface seals – New tape method

• New panel, instruments • New wiring • Velcro battery catch • New dump valve shaft

Page 7: Racing the Libelle

Tip Wheel Fairings

Page 8: Racing the Libelle

Spar Bump

• 0.02” waviness

– “If you can feel it with your hand – fix it” - Masak

• 600 Grit to remove bump

• 800-1000 to finish wing

• Polish, wax

Page 9: Racing the Libelle

Core Disbond (Right Wing)

• Multiple layers of Bondo

• 2 part expandable foam core

• H45 divinycell Density 3 lbs/ft3

• Micro/Flox mix for core bond

Page 10: Racing the Libelle

Spoiler Cap Springs

• Need to cut holes in aft face of spoiler

• Hole saw safest method because of close shear webs

Page 11: Racing the Libelle

Spoiler Cap Corner Cracks

• Why can’t they be round?

• Grind down into glass, lay in new plies

• Cover with bondo

Page 12: Racing the Libelle

Aileron Removal • Don’t stake bolts, please!

Page 13: Racing the Libelle

Aileron Root Seal

• Aileron push/pull rods do not come out of the center of the circle!

• Don’t bother trying to match L to R hole pattern

• Turn rip stop inside out and tape to rod end.

Page 14: Racing the Libelle

Instrument Panel

• Male plug (MFD/Foam)

• Female tool (Tooling Glass)

• Male part, insures good surface finish from mold