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| Alula
R/C Hand-Launched Glider |
The
original forward-swept "fly anywhere" R/C glider! This organic
design is a light and buoyant flier. The unique and refined bird-inspired wing
design facilitates the sidearm launch method and maintains maneuverability,
even at very low airspeeds. New molded ARCEL foam airframe provides a stiff and
lightweight structure and makes assembly a snap. We call this our "urban
glider", due to its ability to soar in the most unconventional of locations. No
high-starts, motors, or spinning propellors required... just fling and fly. Its
as close to an R/C boomerang as it gets!
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*Kit Price: $68.00
Now accepting orders. Lead time: 14 working
days.
Add-on Kit for Alula with Couplers and Magnets
for Three Piece Wing Option (read below for more info)
Price: $7.50
Add-on kit includes magnets,
aluminum couplers, and hex key. Adds 8 grams (0.25Oz) weight to basic design,
but ensures secure attachment of removeable wing panels during launch. We
recommend this option to die-hard travelers only. For minimum weight and best
light air performance, the basic kit is best. |
 Alula Glider Specifications:
Flight Characteristics: Light and buoyant
flier for flatland and small slopes.
Wingspan: 35.4 in
(900mm)
Wing area: 259 sq.in (16.7 sq.dm)
Weight range: 5.5
- 6 oz (156-170 gm)
Wing Loading: 3.2-3.3 oz/sq.ft (9.3-10.2
gm/sq.dm)
Wind Range: 0-15 mph
Skill level: Novice to
expert
Kit building time: 1 - 2 hours
Minimum radio
requirements: 2 channel, elevon mixing with dual rates and/or ATV
(Adjustable Throw Volume), sub-micro radio components (see below for
details).
*Kit requires
assembly. Kit Includes complete hardware package for basic lightweight
assembly. Radio gear, tools, and adhesives not included. Read below for more
info.
All foam airframes are white foam. Colors
shown are for demonstration only. |
New Kit
Features:
- Durable, quality molded ARCEL™ foam
airframe manufactured in the USA! Ensures fast, consistent, and easy
assembly. No covering material required. What is ARCELL foam and why did we use
it instead of EPP? Read below.
 Thermo-formed belly skid for
landing protection.- Quick-assembly kit can be built in one evening with little
glue. Say goodbye to the taping blues!
- Modular
airframe can be built as one piece for maximum durability or collapsible
with our original magnet lock system for easy travel and storage.
- Integrally
molded control surfaces for minimum weight and building ease.
- New wing design
with fully encapsulated carbon-fiber joiner rod and easy-install
carbon-fiber wing spars.
- Further
refined design
- Complete
hardware package includes ultra-light linkages, carbon-fiber pushrods,
decals, and more!
- Detailed
construction manual (of course, if you've built a few of these, you may not
even need it!)
Items
required for completion:
| Qty. |
Item |
Details |
Availability |
| 1 |
R/C Transmitter |
Elevon or V-Tail mixing and adjustable rates (i.e. control throws).
Hitec Neon single stick radio with ATV upgrade is a good entry-level
transmitter. |
N/A |
| 2 |
Sub-micro Servos |
Blue-Bird BMS-306BB or similar size/weight servos. |
Purchase |
| 1 |
Micro Receiver |
Mikro5 Receiver for economy and minimal weight. |
Purchase |
| 1 |
Rechargeable 4.8V Battery Pack |
4.8V 300mAh 1/3AA-size NiMH pack or equivalent. |
Purchase |
| 1 |
Thin instant adhesive |
CA glue (cyanoacrylate) |
Purchase |
| N/A |
Optional Paint |
Use paint sparingly to keep the weight down. We like Tamiya's Color
For Plastics TS series spray paints in small 100mL cans (less waste). Great
colors and available at most hobby shops that carry R/C Car accessories. Safe
for ARCEL. Acrylic paints and permanent markers can also be used for easy
decoration. |
N/A |
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Tools and Extras |
Painter's masking tape
Sharp Scissors
Sharp hobby knife or razor
blade
Small screw drivers
Coins and/or small weights for balancing
glider
Sanding block and sandpaper (220-320 grit)
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N/A |
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What is
ARCEL™ foam and why did we use it for the Alula instead of EPP (expanded
polyproylene)?
 What is it? ARCEL™ foam is a
blend of polyethylene and polystyrene foam. The polyethylene provides toughness
and the polystyrene adds a greater amount of rigidity and stability than that
of EPP (for a given density).
ARCEL is not brittle like pure polystyrene
and will not flake off. While ARCEL may not have the same "bounce" quality and
dent resistance of EPP, its superior stiffness and stability allow us to
achieve a delicate and refined "no covering required" design that is
ultralight, yet rigid and stable enough to withstand many sidearm
launches.
Why? While we think there is no substitute for EPP in
"rough and tumble" type gliders that see alot of abuse on the slope (like the
Weasel), ARCEL made more sense for the Alula given the glider's thin wing and
low weight design requirements. A few other benefits of using ARCEL are its
paintability and sandability, which allows one to sand away the small surface
vent marks resulting from the molding process (for cleaner looking and more
aerodynamic surfaces). |
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