For those of you into aviation and SPEED.

[STYRENE-SURFER]

For awhile now R.C. glider enthusiasts like me have been following this chase to fly the fastest.

"Dynamic Soaring" has changed the whole definition of slope soaring and the traditionally slow graceful flight you normally think of.

If you are an aviation buff, R.C. modeler, or just like to see amazing videos, check it out.

This thing's a rocket and powered only by the wind, (545 mph.)

https://youtu.be/MoaWlKC3wIM

This a rather poor explanation of Dynamic Soaring, but the best I could find in short form.

https://youtu.be/xlPI0AOj5MI

 

[DonW]

Amazing but I feel dizzy now....?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Good stuff. "Dynamic Soaring" has been of interest in the full scale sailplane community for some time, and has been investigated for possible integration into performance-enhancement of military UAV applications. NASA has also looked at it from the standpoint of non-Earth planetary atmospheric "slingshotting" to gain free momentum for space vehicles under some circumstances.

I was privileged to attend a presentation put on by Capt. Randy Gordon from Edwards (mentioned in the second video), sponsored by the Experimental Soaring Association (EDIT: oops Soaring Society of America) some years back, at their annual technical event in Tehachapi, Ca.

Anyone really into the science of the concept can start here:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229746401_Optimal_patterns_of_glider_dynamic_soaring

 

Edited February 16, 2020 by Ace-Garageguy

[STYRENE-SURFER]

https://youtu.be/nv7-YM4wno8

Spencer Lisenby at TMG Technology Cosulting GmbH.

for those of you interested in learning more.

[Ace-Garageguy]

More info about the full-scale Experimental Soaring Association...with videos..

http://sustainableskies.org/tag/experimental-soaring-association/

http://sustainableskies.org/tehachapi-soars-new-ideas-day-2/

[LDO]

I thought this was going to be about the SR-71 hitting Mach 3.56. But wow, an rc glider going as fast as a jet airliner? That’s pretty cool, too.