Classic Menez-Hom VTPR

.Video courtesy Poedras Pierre-Louis

Some great fun yet dangerous VTPR flying in classic Menez-Hom flying site fashion. Some of the composite planes flying here are the Sonic, Excalibur, Limande, Twister and more. All 2.5 meter size. Take special note how all the pilots line up and take turns doing their thing trying to match or out do their mates. More importantly there are no foam planes present. A sign of true and ultimate no holds barred VTPR! You get a real sense of friendship and a challenging experience versus just flying back and forth or alone in the sky speeding around aimlessly. VTPR truly is thee most comprehensive and fun flying style on the slope.

VTPR Fun-Fly, 2012

Video of some of the flying and photos of last weeks VTPR Recontre. We had a small turnout but loads of fun. The "limbo" was especially a great time with the lightweight PSP's. Had a real laugh and the planes got a real workout. No damage, just pure fun! Until next time, enjoy. EJ

SoCal VTPR Recontre - June 16, 2012

The 2nd Annual SoCal VTPR meeting is on this weekend at Glider Point, Yorba Linda CA. A slope with every type of topography for maximum VTPR flying. Weather is looking good with SW winds and cool air predicted for an afternoon of lots of FUN. This year we are having a "limbo session" beneath a 20ft span ribbon that is adjustable from 10ft and lower. There will be much "overland VTPR" flying within inches of the ground. Full frontal "on the edge" flying again within inches with fiberglass, wooden, foam and PSP purpose designed VTPR models up to 2.5 meter span. This year promises to be loads of fun for those who attend and spectate.  VTPR by its nature always has a surprise or two no matter the field of flyers. A great photo op for sure. Stay tuned for the coverage here next week... EJ

Crash & Fly woodies

Had a great day with Vol-Lent and discovered just how durable this plane is. By pilot error we learned the low mass inertia component of this design really supported its survival after a very hard crash. Also a unique lightweight and robust wing construction and CF tail boom performed flawlesly upon impact. Within 5 minutes I was able to fly it again with no issues.

Through this unique design wood aerobatic models can now be constructed in such a way that nearly equals the durability of a foamie! This is quite a leap from the old way of construction that for years has left wood designs in the dust but now you can re-enter the woodie VTPR world again with full confidence and great aerobatic and ground contact performance.

Team Black Sheep USA - Monument Valley

Had to post this incredible FPV (first person view) video of some amazing flying and editing! A fantastic experience of a few minutes of very beautiful landscape and close encounters of the sandstone buttes up to 1000ft above the valley floor of famous Monument Valley in Utah. Team Black Sheep has really outdone themselves with this one. Video editing done by aufmschlau.ch productions.

For those not familiar, first-person view (FPV) flight is a type of remote-control (RC) flying that has grown in popularity in recent years. It involves mounting a small video camera and analog television transmitter on an RC aircraft and flying by means of a live video down-link, commonly displayed on video goggles or a portable LCD screen. When flying FPV, the pilot sees from the aircraft's perspective, and does not even have to look at the model. As a result, FPV aircraft can be flown well beyond visual range, limited only by the range of the remote control and video transmitter. (source wikipedia)

Air-100h fuse contoured

The fuselage is contoured to the original plans now. Canopy area needs cut out to make up the plastic screen. Next is to detail out the horizontal stab mount. 11 ounces as you see here.

Vol-Lent total build & fly video

I put this video together to show the details of the build with some excerpts of flying action. It covers the fuselage, feathers and wing. Get your favorite beverage and sit back and enjoy this unique and adventurous build.

Vol-Lent stills

Some still shots of Vol-Lent... 

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Inverted shots...

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Vol-Lent flight a success!

Happy to report the first real flight with some time on the Vol-Lent 2.5 was a success confirming the "girder boom" arrangement being functional and very durable. No issues concerning line of flight or pitch and roll. The plane flies right where you put it and with its low 52 ounce AUW she is very dossal and predictable. Look for more over-land VTPR videos and reports of this unique model. Its VTPR building and flying the old school way brought to you by yours truly. Boy this is FUN!

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GRYPHON build video

I am presenting this build video should you want to use as a ready reference to build your own Gryphon. And its a helpful 10 minutes of time where you can sit back, enjoy the build process and its details.

Gryphon sub-kits are available through Old S'CooL Hobbies in a scratch build version at the moment. A new laser cut version will be released sometime in the near future so check back often at the website.

Good lift and enjoy!... Eric