HKRCSS

Pre-Handlaunch Glider Competition and Bungee Launch
28 September 2002

 

The Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society is going to hold a handlaunch glider competition in November, 2002. In order for the pilots to get some practices before the real competition, a trail handlaunch event with introduction to bungee launching technique was arranged on Saturday,  28 September 2002. The flying site was chosen to be an unused grass field near the river in Nam Sang Wai, Yuen Long. The location is marked as in the red circle on the map below.

About 20 r/c soarers together with their families participated in this event. Pilots started to arrive at 2:30pm, most of them have never been there before so a few of them got lost in the jungle of roads, but they final made it to the flying field. The recommended route to go there is the red route shown in the map. This route is longer and it starts from Lau Fau Shan. In the roundabout there, turn to Deep Bay Road and then drive on and pass Tsim Bei Tsui  Some pilots have tried to go there by the blue route but unfortunately, this route is not possible as the gate of the sewage treatment plant was closed.
Paul Wong, our main organizer for this event, briefed the pilots on the characteristics of hand launch gliders and the rules of F3K by FAI. He also introduced the techniques in bungee launch with a successful demonstration in launching a MiniEllipse. The bungee cord is over hundred meters long and can be used to launch gliders to hundred meters high. Many pilots have successfully launched their gilders in turn and landed safely, although there were some mishaps. Since the sky is cloudy blocking the sun light and there were wind as well, the thermal activities were rare and most pilots could only manage a few circles airborne after launched. It is really challenging to keep the plane airborne with no thermal lift but wind. Apart from this, we really enjoy the atmosphere for the friendly exchanges of ideas, what's a wonderful day!


How long Master Leung's plane can stay airborne?


Really for launch, keep the head down please


Off we go! Rising angle to steep! Push down a bit!


Nice grass field for landing and plenty of airspace


This Shooting Star is going up fast while on tow


Oop! Stanley's Shooting Star got waterborne! Perhaps the weather was too hot and she was sick of being airborne all the time and decided to swim for a while


"That enough!" said Mr. Ho, "this is my fault to let her slip away for a swim". "Back up please sweet heart!"


The happy guys are so excited about discovering the waterborne capability of this little sailplane while Mr. Ho is hiding behind for not to be seen