Magnetic flight
When magnetic Flight is a special type of model airplane hobby : slope soaring models with self-control. These F1E slope flight models (also called magnetic gliders or self- controlled models; English: glider with automatic compass steering or F1E magnet steered glider ) fly in updrafts and are controlled with the help of geomagnetism. No radio remote control is required for this.
In magnetic flight, the free-flight models are controlled by a finger-sized magnet. The force of the earth's magnetic field is sufficient to keep the model on course. The aim is to sail uphill on the slope as long as possible . Magnetic control is carried out using geomagnetism : a magnetic rod attached to the fuselage head that can be rotated like a compass moves the rudder and the aircraft is automatically aligned in a certain direction . Even if it is turned away by side winches, the magnet control will turn it back to the preset course.
Free-flying magnetic flight models are classified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) in class F1E . The pilots of the slope flight models operating under the name F1E compete regularly at European and World Championships, including September 2009 at the Rhöner Wasserkuppe and the European Championships 2012 in Romania. The FAI regulations require that these model gliders soar as long as possible after taking off from a slope. In order to optimally utilize the rising air flow on the slope, the model must always remain close to the slope. To do this, it has to use the magnet control to repeatedly align its disturbed flight direction to the slope. A second challenge for the competitor is the flight speed of the model, which is optimally adapted to the wind, which is achieved by adding weight in the center of gravity (before take-off). In order to prevent the models from sailing too far, especially in the mountains, the FAI regulations provide for a maximum flight time of between 2 and 5 minutes depending on the terrain. After this maximum flight time, a thermal brake is triggered in the model by means of a timer, which folds up the tail unit.
In the slightly wider head (where the "cockpit" is) is the magnetic bar, which can be rotated around a vertical axis. The magnetic rod rotates a 10 to 20 long axis standing perpendicular to it. A front rudder is rigidly attached to this axle. When the magnet rotates, the rigid axle and the rigidly attached front rudder also rotate. There are no cables whatsoever, for example to the rear rudder. If the model now rotates out of the direction after take-off due to an unfavorable gust of wind from the side, the compass effect keeps the position of the magnetic rod stable and, via the axis, also the control surface above the tip of the fuselage (the front rudder). This control surface is therefore still aligned with the slope and corrects the course of the aircraft gently to the slope, to the preset course. The front rudder deflects because of the magnet when the model leaves the preset course. Before starting, the magnet is set to the correct course in the direction of the slope. These F1E models can be recognized by their typical vertical control surface on the tip of the fuselage, which is not unlike a flag.
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- Principle description of magnetic flight
- F1E Magnetic Flight World Championship 2012
- East Hesse News
