Glider Tow

[Charl]

OK I put this up briefly in the "Interim" forum while we were changing gear, but we never did finish the thought:



First up, many thanks to Alfashark for the guidance in getting the vario and thermals going.

Second, Trolly had a question about how it was done, and I thought I'd share that.
Yes, it's Recorder Module-based, there were 3 flights involved.

I recorded the Dromader in the first half of the circuit 1-2, then paused and saved the flight.
I then continued for the landing, and recorded the second part 2-1.
I added the glider as a 2nd track in 1-2, with a 0.25s delay.
To make the clip I selected the Dromader and used "Play" 1-2 in Recorder. The shot was anchored to the Dromader, using Walk 'n Follow from behind the glider.
This gave the illusion of the glider swaying on a tow rope.
At 2 I selected the saved flight, changed to the glider, and used "Play as AI" 2-1 in Recorder to get the Dromader back down while the glider soared.
The beginning of the clip is just an out-of-sequence view from the glider slewed to ground, of the end of the 2-1 pattern.

FS is full of fun things to do - probably more fun in the making than the watching, actually!

[Timmo]

Its good fun eh!

For FSXers there is a great little addon called AeroTow which beefs up the standard FSX glider tug- It adds the option for the tug to fly a spiral climb pattern or straight out and then turn after a set distance/time etc etc... You can even choose what aircraft you want to be towed by from a list of your addon aircraft!

See here for more details:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6497

[Charl]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Jun 5 2008, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its good fun eh! For FSXers there is a great little addon called AeroTow which beefs up the standard FSX glider tug...

It sure is good fun, I was very pleased to see good glider functionality in FSX - I've been waiting for this ever since Flight Unlimited II !
Had a look at your link, and I think I'll just wait a wee while for that to get stable, but looks like a good prospect.

The FS9 experience ain't too bad either, with Wolfgang Piper's excellent bits 'n pieces.
I actually prefer a winch launch most of the time...

Something that you have to adjust to, is that amazing glide ratio...
You think you are in the drink for sure, and it just keeps on cruising.
Didn't think you could generate sweaty palms in a flight simulator flying unpowered, but this one did:

[Alfashark]

Awesome work Charl Shall we start planning a double tow?

Wifey's away this weekend, just got a new coffee maker too so I can see FS recorder getting a thrashing this weekend haha

I wonder if someone will find a way to manipulate the towplane in real time, just like we do with the real thing... If we're in a control-zone and theres a fair bit of radio chatter, if we want to go around to the left more, we'll slide on out to the right and drag the Cubs tail around a bit - If the Towie's on to it he'll start the turn... if he's not he gets a sore right leg

[Charl]

QUOTE (Alfashark @ Jun 5 2008, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Awesome work Charl Shall we start planning a double tow?
Wifey's away this weekend, just got a new coffee maker too so I can see FS recorder getting a thrashing this weekend haha
I wonder if someone will find a way to manipulate the towplane in real time, just like we do with the real thing... If we're in a control-zone and theres a fair bit of radio chatter, if we want to go around to the left more, we'll slide on out to the right and drag the Cubs tail around a bit - If the Towie's on to it he'll start the turn... if he's not he gets a sore right leg

Hehe take advantage of a kind-hearted Cub driver would you?
Double tow eh?
You'd maybe want one of Mr V.Zhyhulskiy's stable, then:



I'm sure there was one in NZ, is it still around?

[Alfashark]

QUOTE (Charl @ Jun 5 2008, 07:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hehe take advantage of a kind-hearted Cub driver would you?
Double tow eh?
You'd maybe want one of Mr V.Zhyhulskiy's stable, then:



I'm sure there was one in NZ, is it still around?

Dunno if there still is, but I do recall hearing of one - maybe even seeing it too, but I think that might be some alcohol impaired memories of a D.H Otter in Aussie...

A 180hp Cub will dual-tow two Janus's with relative ease, (heavy, two seat, 18-19m x-country machines) although at NZTG on a hot summers day, even hauling one of them into the air off rwy 03 could lead to some sphincter-tightening moments as the far threshold was approaching and the massive wall of Bunnings was looming at 55-60kts

Just think, a few years earlier the gliders were a lot less aerodynamic and were being launched by 100-150hp Cubs and even D.H Chipmunks in the UK...

[victor_alpha_charlie]

I know there's an AN-2 in the Wanaka museum, not sure about anywhere else though.

Well done Charl! Looks great

[Naki]

Thats the only An-2 in NZ VAC - it was a flyer and must of being the one Alfashark saw.

[SUBS17]

Nice video the gliders in FSX are quite cool I find them quite fun since that is one of the few aircraft I have actually soloed IRL. Have you guys tried the FSX glider missions they are alot of fun its certainly a challenge getting through the last mission on time.

[Charl]

They are good - if they didn't have all those green spirals to tell you where to look for the thermals, I wouldn't have made it.