Dynamic Soaring

Dynamic Soaring ("DSing")

Click on a file name in the list below to see a low resolution picture or down load a short Dynamic Soaring (DS) video clip. The difference between DS and slope soaring is that slope soaring usually involves flight within or at least passing through some sort of lift volume, typically on the upwind side of some object that is deflecting the wind upward. Dynamic soaring, on the other hand, is not so much dependant a steady lift volume as it is on repeated transition of the vehicle through a shear zone. That shear zone may have steady wind on one side and turbulence on the other, or even steady flow in a different direction on the other side.

An explanation of each clip above is given before the option to down load. More can be found about Dynamic Soaring at the HLAUniversity and the Links pages. An enthusiastic review of DS is also reprinted below for anyone interested and curious as to the techniques used. Hand Launch Aerobatics uses special Airplanes made with techniques that you can learn about in the Laboratory. The parts and tools used to make the vehicles shown are available in the Hand Launch Aerobatics STORE. For web site feedback, contact the Site-Admin at SiteAdmin. Be sure to leave you e-mail address if you would like a response.

DS Anywhere

High wind and big slopes are NOT NECESSARY for DS to succeed, as some of the video clips in this section explain. In fact, light wind and/or small objects are often sufficient. Cyclic or orbital flight paths are also not necessary to accomplish a Dynamic Soaring maneuver. DS is sometimes optimized by an repetitive or cyclic flight path, but there can be extra aerobatic maneuvers in each cycle as well. This is the beauty of HLAerobatics applied to Dynamic Soaring. There is maximum potential for maneuvers per time. Continuous aerobatic maneuvers without needing to land. Just the wind and the mind of the pilot for the engine.

Anywhere that there is flyable space on the downwind side of some relatively large object, there will be two air masses moving in distinctly different directions. Even if there is only turbulence and rotor on the down wind side, the boundary between this and the free stream may be worked to sustain flight. A tree or set of trees, an apartment building or large house, a bill board, large walls or solid fences, and many other objects may be successfully soared on the downwind side, or "backside", using Dynamic Soaring techniques. An added benefit is that when you get tossed out of reach of the energy source, you are typically sent down wind, AWAY FROM THE OBJECT. This beats slope soaring hands down. And besides, why drive a hundred miles looking for a smooth hill facing into the wind when the trees down the street work fine, AND you have less chance of losing you airplane atop some large object or deep in some canyon or valley.

Low, Cheap, Safe and FUN!

Low drag, flat glide slope, expensive composite vehicles are NOT THE ONLY PLANES for DS, as these videos prove. If (when) you pile in your foamie wing while Dynamic Soaring, you pick it up and try again. You typically can't do that with a framed-up or composite construction ship. In fact, its better to fly low because that is typically where the shear bouondary is the most steady and well defined, on the backside close to the lip. Besides, flying low is more fun! The combat derived airframes used do not develop nearly the speed factor that a low drag composite ship can while Dynamic Soaring. The soft foamie flying wings also will not put a hole deep into the ground, your body or your wallet if you plant one while Dynamic Soaring. They are quite safe and durable for the activity, and they will spin your head around just as fast as any more expensive high tech model while trying to follow them. TOO MUCH FUN!

That's right, TOO MUCH FUN!

The type of fun offered with HLAerobatic models while Dynamic Soaring is close-in, max maneuvers per time, CONTINUOUS "3D speed" aerobatics. The model can go in all directions and doesn't have to do any single type of orbit or cycle over and over. Vertical, cross wind, up and down wind, rolling turns, rolling loops, stair steps, "rising leafs", and many other maneuvers may be mixed into the CONTINUOUS SEQUENCE. Just like so many other aspects of HLAerobatics, the human imagination is the only limit while Dynamic Soaring. Maneuver rates may be as fast as the pilot can think for as long as the nerves and batteries hold out when the site is ripe for DS. It is possible to loop and jump over a model, again and again and again, as long as conditions are relatively steady and the legs still have stamina! One of the biggest risks is being too fatigued to drive home safely.

Conclusion

Practice flying on windy days to hone your reflexes at the controls. Seek out turbulence and the objects that create it downwind of themselves. This may sound insane, but it is the key. Fly on the downwind side of large objects on windy days. Relax with the understanding that you have a very durable HLAerobatic model if (when) it hits the ground, and if it gets away from you it will typically go downwind, away from the object. Try to launch up to above the height of the object or off to either side of the object to penetrate the shear boundary between the object's wake and the free stream. When you see the model surge as it penetrates the shear boundary, PULL BACK STICK LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE. You will be absolutely amazed as you model doesn't stall, but instead accelerates like a gunshot. Now circle back or loop back and repeat the process. Be sure you eat and drink plenty first, because you will never want to quit. Welcome to Dynamic Soaring.

Tim Harris