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4. Riding the Air Currents
Using thermals to keep the Whisper glider aloft is one of the most gratifying aspects of the R/C hobby. It is
possible to have flights of 10 or 15 minutes... even 1 hour, if conditions are right.
A thermal is an upward current of air that travels in a circular motion. It is caused by uneven heating of the
ground's surface, usually due to variations in surface color and terrain. If you have seen a "dust devil", you have seen a
very tight, little thermal at ground level picking up dust and taking it aloft. The thermals you can use to gain altitude
with your Whisper are much bigger; usually about 100 feet in diameter and can go up many hundreds of feet.
Detection of a thermal is the secret to success. As you pass through a thermal, the airplane will give you a sign. A
wingtip may suddenly rise or the whole plane will start going up. If you detect a thermal, the next step is to get in it
and stay in it. If a wingtip goes up, turn back into the cause of it going up. If the whole plane goes up, turn back around
after it stops going up. This way, you can locate the thermal. Once located, keep the airplane turning in a circle and
let it drift with the wind. With some practice, you can gain as much altitude as you want before you exit the thermal.
Realize that you can't get something for nothing. What goes up must come down. Whenever there is a thermal,
there is "sink"; heavy air in which your Whisper abnormally loses altitude. When you encounter sink, fly away from
the area as soon as possible.
In any event, don't let your Whisper get too far down wind. If you do so, you may not be able to penetrate the
wind adequately to get the airplane back.
V. IN CASE OF TROUBLE
If the radio is erratic (glitches), check that the transmitter and receiver antennas are extended to their full length.
Make sure the transmitter batteries are fresh. Make sure no one else is operating on your channel (frequency) in
the immediate vicinity.
If the plane does not fly properly, make sure you are being gentle with the control inputs. Make sure the plane is
balanced properly (Fig. 3). Make sure all the wing and tail surfaces are flat, true, and properly attached and aligned.
If your trouble persists, call 660-584-6724 for technical help.
VI. CONCLUSION
To defeat the laws of gravity and take to the wing is both challenging and thrilling. We hope you enjoy your entry
into the fascinating world of R/C flight and make it your hobby for a lifetime. Please let ACE R/C be your chosen
brand, no matter what direction you progress.
Wind Direction
and level with ground
Launch firmly into wind straight and level.
Do not throw upwards!
Incorrect
Correct
Straight
10
Hand Launch
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