NCFM
P.O. Box 8090
Rancho Santa Fe,
California, 92067
USA

(858) 485-1137

© 2003
All rights reserved





A New 48" High Speed Sloper with Excellent Vertical Performance!


We set out to create a design that was a little easier to build than the Moth or M60, without a sacrifice in speed, energy or spiral stability. We decided to go "fuseless", which meant sweeping the wing back ever so subtly, just to the point where balance could be achieved with an acceptable amount of nose-weight. After much experimentation with alternate planforms and fin positioning... the new Halfpipe was born!

Having access to various Moths and M60's as a comparison, our first words were: "hmmm...HMMMM... DANG!! This thing is NOT slow!!". As an honest comparison, we would say that, in most conditions, the Halfpipe is extremely comparable to the Moth in speed and energy, where cleanliness of build, wing loading and pilot skills may be the difference.

Not having a fuselage, the HP also tends to be very efficient, both horizontally and vertically. Even at our "little beach" in Carlsbad, we were achieving excellent height on halfpipes... thus it's namesake. Two other aspects we were very pleased with were it's excellent thermal capabilities and superb spiral stability (versus the original prototypes... 1 2). Light lift performance is also very good (new video here), though, the primary goal of the HP was for high speed carving, great energy retention, and simply an overall cleanliness of flight, that is always foremost in any NCFM design. As of this writing, we have yet to have the chance to DS it, but that is next on the list, and we feel it should perform very well. (Update: On 3/24/05, we finally had a chance to DS this thing, in fair to average conditions, and it was extremely fun, quite fast, and very stable for a 48" plane... no complaints, whatsoever).

The kit quality is something we strive very hard to keep top-notch: balsa elevon material that is straight and weight-matched to within a few grams; precision-cut and "de-slagged" wing cores, carbon spars, solid carbon fin boom, pre-angled, zinc plated steel spar joiner, pre-cored nose chamber for the included lead balance weight.

Click Here for Notes on Ballasting

NEW: NCFM In-Shop Photo Build and Techniques (6/17/05 Entry)

RcGroups Photo Build-Thread links (3/9/05 Entry)

Note: As with all of our aircraft, the Halfpipe is not really intended as a "First Airplane". Not having a fuselage, it is a tad easier to build than the Moth or M60, yet still requires an element of precision in the building and trimming process. Your transmitter must also have Elevon Mixing, with End-Point and/or Dual Rate adjustments. Given the thinness of the airfoil, you will need a relatively low-profile receiver, i.e. Berg, Hitec 555, etc., and end-plugs (vs. top-mount) are even better.

Flight:
o Exceptional speed & energy retention
o Excellent spiral stability
o Crisp turns
o Endless inverted flight
o Wide speed range
o Serious thermal & light-lift performance
o Very responsive
o Extremely Durable
Kit Includes:
o Carbon wing spars + Pre-angled steel/zinc joiner
o Precision-cut & cleaned 1.9lb EPP foam wing
o Pre-cored, lead balance weight included
o Solid carbon fin boom
o Basswood drag spars
o Quality, weight matched balsa elevon material
o All control horns and linkages
o Comprehensive manual with detailed graphics
 


Span: 48"
Wing Area: 432 Sq. In.
Averagel Unballasted Flying Weight: 24-25 Ounces

Transmitter Requirements:
Elevon Mixing with End-Point Adjust and/or Dual Rates
Receiver: Hitec Micro 555 or smaller.
Servos: (2) HS-85MG / similar size.
Battery: 350mAh Nicard or similar size.
Price: $69.00







Halfpipe
48" Slope Wing
$69.00