jbeech
rrAdvertiser
Location: Sanford, FL (Orlando area)
| Symmetric and semi-symmetric bladesAshley,
You might mention to Elaine that Audacity offer two sets of FRP/CF composite blades. They're ProModeler Sportsman blades
PDR0074 - Sportsman 600mm Symmetric blades - $49.99
PDR0075 - Sportsman 600mm Semi-symmetric blades - $54.99
Personally, because of my flying style, i.e sportsman maneuvers like loops, rolls, stall turns, autorotations, and a little inverted flying around the patch (as well as the occasional tumble and flip), I prefer the semi-symmetrical blades. What I especially like is they're just awesome for autorotations versus symmetric blades . . . for pretty much the same reasons a semi-symmetrical section sport airplane typically lands slower and is more "friendly" than a fully symmetrical airfoil equipped model.
Of course, you need to take into consideration I'm just a duffer, so while the increased upright performance benefit is easily worth the tradeoff against the inverted handling characteristics of a symmetric blade (for me), those folks whose model is inverted more than it's upright definitely wouldn't agree. You need to be brutally honest with yourself about how you really fly before you buy blades. I'm just out to have fun, so the semis are a no brainer.
A few details about contruction might be helpful. The skins are FRP (fiberglass) and there is CF (carbon fiber) in both the leading and trailing edges. The CF serves to tremendously stiffen the blade in torsion and bending vs. straight FRP blades and also enhances the "toughness" or durability of the blades (against life's minor knocks). Furthermore, while they feature "hollow" construction, they have a balsa spar - plus there's a length of music wire wraped around the blade pivot which runs the length of the blade (out to the tip) where it's embedded into the lead weight (to help keep that from causing additional damage during an accident).
The symmetrics, in particular, are decent blades at a decent price. For 50 bucks I figure they're 90% as good as a set of V-Blades for $115 (I know because I have a set of these too). As for the semis, they're the heat because they auto like there's no tomorrow and simply make me look better than I am during an autorotation.
My 2¢ |
