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Prism Zero G RC Kite at SEFSD

By Rob Jahnke

I live in Minnesota but spend January in San Diego. I enjoy flying with the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego (SEFSD) at the Mission Bay field, but I needed a reasonably sized model airplane that would travel well on an airline. I modified a Prism Zero G Glider kite (purchased at the kite store in Seaport Village) for this mission. As a kite, it flies in the Canard configuration. As an airplane,  I put the motor on the opposite end and use the canard surfaces as elevators. A light weight rudder was added for the airplane configuration.

The conversion was very successful. The video shows test flights at the Coronado Tidelands Park flying both as an airplane and a kite. In smooth air, it flies “hands off”.

YouTube video – 1 min 12 sec  Coronado test flight:

https://youtu.be/RknmmHPupa0

The Wingspan is 1067 mm (42″) and the “All Up Weight” is 225 grams (8 oz) including a 1.3 gram recording altimeter. Flight time is 15 minutes with a 3S 500 mah LiPo and a 9 x 4.7 prop. At the SEFSD field, I recorded a maximum altitude of 352 ft. The only real concern with this model airplane is that you could easily lose it in a thermal. So morning, or evening, or cloudy days are best. It also flies well in a gymnasium.

YouTube video – 1 min 28 sec   College of St. Benedict Field House:

https://youtu.be/9O0HiK7mmGA

Since we stay in Coronado for the month of January, the Zero G RC Kite makes a great backpack airplane. I ride the Coronado Ferry to the Broadway Pier, then take the trolley to the Morena/Linda Vista stop. The bike takes me the rest of the way to the SEFSD field.

Rob Jahnke

Member – SEFSD (San Diego CA), MARCS (Madison WI),  Northstar Flyers (Holdingford MN)