Bug HLG

Archive of the Yahoo! Groups mailing list for the Bug hand-launch glider 2002-2018

From: "gldrgidr" <gldrgidr@...>
Date: Saturday, August 13, 2011 5:38 PM
Subject: Re: Optimum weight for a Bug.
Matt, I think you are just bragging about how light your bug is. Most of the rest of us are doing our best to get the weight below 115 grams. It does seem that some ballast would improve your bug's performance in the wind. The designer's bugs were about 3.5 oz.(99g), so anything up to that should work. For those who have increased the span to 34 inches: The stock area is 163 sq.in. and the new area is roughly 198 sq.in.. At 65 grams, Matt's bug has a wing loading of 2.0 oz/sq-ft. At 99 grams (designer's weight) the wing loading is 3.1 oz/sq-ft. At 120 grams(4.2oz) for the 34" wing, the wing loading is 3.1 oz/sq-ft. Forgive me. I tried to figure the load in metric but it gave me a headache. John --- In BugHLG@yahoogroups.com, "Matt" <mattmidair@...> wrote: > > Hi guys, > Has anyone experimented in adding a touch of ballast to improve penetration in a breeze? My DLG bugs are very light (60 - 65grams) and perform very nicely in dead clam hot South African air...but they just dont penetrate if there is anything more than the slightest air movement. I've played with a bit of nose weight wothout much improvement, but its just occured to me that some ballast mite just be whats needed. Any thoughts? PS: maybe a thinner wing??? >