[ULF-1] Very New ULF-1 Builder In CA USA

From: Member 99
Date: 2014-08-23 21:14 UTC-07:00
Message: #0482

Hello ULF-1 Discussion Group,

I am a mechanical engineer out near San Francisco CA. I am working on my first project designing my first glider. In my research I found the ULF-1 as an existing aircraft that nearly met my design requirements. I have just ordered the plans and am looking forward to building this craft as a great learning experience to kick off a lifelong dream of designing my own aircraft. 

One thing missing from the documentation is firsthand flight characteristics feedback. What is the roll rate? Does the performance of the aircraft lack any area that can be described? Has the aircraft ever performed aerobatics, and if so what type? A max G loading of 4 G's seems sufficient for some loops and rolls no doubt, but it may be limited with its speed envelope.

One other question that I have is regarding the flight envelope of the aircraft is the significance of the n term when describing max velocity. I believe it refers to the turbulence in the air. It appears that 1 occurs in very smooth air and higher numbers at higher turbulence. Can n be negative? I feel that I may be wrong in my reasoning of this number but have see in explained on the airfoi tools website http://airfoiltools.com/airfoil/naca4digit. in that instance n has direc affect on the performance of a single airfoil shape.

-Nick B.
Richmond, CA