Welcome to Slopefun! We know Slope flying is alot of fun - hence the name Slope Fun!

On this site you will find information about radio controlled slope and electric planes, especially the EPP (Expanded Polypopylene) combat flying wings, their construction, flying and of course you can even buy one!

Fatboy Balancing

Beginners

The centre of lift (CL) for any aircraft is the most crucial aerodynamic adjustment the builder needs to make. The centre of gravity (CG) of the plane should alway be forward of the CL, irrespective if what kind of aircraft. The CG should be 10mm to 20mm ahead of the CL. The further forward the CG, the more stable the plane will fly. FB Arc has a centre of lift where the jointer is. FB Comp or Arc do not usually require balancing with standard 4 cell AA battery pack.

To fine tune your Fat Boy to your flying style, it is best to do some test flights. This is best done in a park with a few fishing sinkers to adjust the ballast and some filament tape to hold it on. Add enough sinkers to the battery bay to get the balance point to the recommended position (about 180mm from the nose but you should check the assembly instructions). Then throw the plane into the breeze, holding the nose with one hand and the elevator stick with the other. Trim the plan with the stick or the trim tabes on your transmitter. It will take a few goes to get the feel of throwing the model. Throw straight and level, not up and not too slowly. If the plane can't be trimmed, add some more sinkers under the nose, holding them there with the tape.

Once you can fly the plane around the park with ease, it's time to fine tune the model on the slope. The breeze should be straight on to the hill at between 5 and 15 knots (10-30KPH) are normally the best conditions. The hill should allow for safe recovery of your model.

If an aircraft is not balanced it pitches forward as it goes faster. If an aircraft is balanced forward it pitches back (up) as it gets faster. A forward pitching plane, is not easy to control, as the more a glider points down the faster it will go and the harder it will pitch. An upward pitching aircraft will go more slowly as the nose of the aircraft lifts, as it slows the less it will pitch.

A properly balanced Fat Boy is very easy to fly, however unbalanced any plane will be difficult. Play around with the balance and find the style that suites you.

Any further questions please drop us an email

Slopefun

EPP combat flying wings are virtually indestructable, which means you can actually learn how to fly them without worrying too much about crashing, as a crash will only hurt your pride (or your head if you fly into yourself). This is a big advantage over the traditional balsa and/or fibreglass carbon gliders, which become unflyable in the hands of a beginner after a failed fight against gravity!.

So have a look around the site - hopefully you will find some helpful information, some nice photos, and maybe even a glider to buy! Most of all, have fun - that's what it is all about!