Introducing our brand new electric Power Pod Launching systems. These high quality units allow you to reach optimal thermal hunting altitudes without the expense and complications associated with towing your sailplane to altitude. They are also a great choice if your favorite tow pilot is not available. Finally, you now have solution that can enhance your flying experience when you need it but can also be easily removed when not needed. Simply remove the installation screw and pull the unit out of your fuselage. The Power Pod Launching system can be supplied as Installation Ready or as just the pylon/spinner assembly ready for your Motor, ESC and Propeller installation. The special, custom, folding aluminum spinner comes with 5mm and 6mm collets.
With our proven, recommended 5S and 8S power setups your sailplane can be ready in minutes.Included:(1) Fiberglass Pod with Aluminum Mount
(1) Aluminum Folding Turbo Spinner (5/6mm Collet)
(1) Spring Set for Folding Spinner
(1) Installation Aluminum Tube
(1) Plywood Top Reinforcement
(1) Plywood Bottom Reinforcement
(1) Plywood Installation Platform
(1) Installation Bolt w/Nut, Washer
Optional Upgrades & Replacement Parts:(1) Sailplane Power Pod Replacement Spinner 63 (5/6mm Shaft)
(1) Sailplane Power Pod Spring Set for Folding Spinner
(1) Building Services (Sailplane Power Pod Installation)
Suggested Equipment:
Power Package 5S (10-12 lbs. /4.5-5.5kg Scale Sailplanes)
AXi 4120/18 motor
Elite Falcon 115HV/SB ESC w/Telemetry
4000 5S battery pack
RFM 14x10 CF folding propeller
Suggested Equipment:
Power Package 8S (24-29 lbs. /11-13kg Scale Sailplanes)
AXi 4130/20 motor
Elite Falcon 130HV ESC w/Telemetry
5000 8S battery pack (4S + 4S)
RFM 16x10 CF folding propeller
When locating the pylon, be sure to match the pylon thrust line to the elevator incidence. Our extensive
testing has shown that up or down thrust is not necessary or helpful. Also, make sure that the pylon has no
offset to the left or right. Take your time and be precise. Once installed, if you have a small,
accidental, deviation, a little elevator to throttle mix will generally keep you flying straight
and true.
Step 1:After deciding where to place your Power Pod, you will use the included plywood brace, with the airfoil cut-out, to mark the fuselage for cutting. Make sure to align the cut-out as close to square (left to right) as possible. When cutting out what has been traced onto the fuselage, it is best to cut the opening slightly smaller than you need so that you can finish with files to get a nice snug fit. Clean up the cut-out and carefully dry fit the Power Pod to the hole that you have created.
Step 2:Shape the brace that you used to mark the fuselage so that it fits against the inside of the fuselage to reinforce the new mounting hole. This will include cutting and sanding to shape the part to fit. Take your time with this step. Once you have shaped the part to fit as closely as possible, carefully bond the part to the inside of the fuselage. You will need to make sure that it lines up with the cut-out in the fuselage. When we do the install, we use an aerospace grade epoxy (Hysol) to fill the voids between the plywood and the fiberglass around the edge of the opening for the Power Pod. You may need to sand, file, or otherwise shape the opening once everything has set-up. This is to make sure that the fit has not been compromised.
Step 3:Make any necessary modifications to the base of the Power Pod to fit around internal structures in your chosen mounting location. We chose to incorporate the main wing spar tube to increase the strength of our installation shown in the photos. You can see where we modified the Pod support to fit around the spar. You can determine the length of the mounting tube at this time and cut it to fit. When sizing the mounting tube, be sure that the aluminum tube does not reach up into the pod far enough to get in the way of installing your motor. You can also epoxy the tube into the pod and epoxy the threaded end into the tube at this time. (You must have your bracing locations identified in order to know the length of the mounting tube.)
Step 4:The fiberglass blade stoppers, used to keep the blade tips away from each other when the blades closes, must be custom fit to your application as each blade has a different major chord and will need more/less space. At this time, you can fit an optional customSailplane Power Pod Spring Set for Folding Spinner (Sold Separately). These keep the folding blades in their closed position when the system is at rest.
Step 5:Cut the supplied internal plywood bracing to fit into the desired location within your fuselage. The piece with the fitted, round hole goes on top to hold the aluminum mounting tube and the solid brace goes on the bottom(shown bonded together). You will need to drill a hole in the solid brace piece for the hold-down bolt to go through. The hold-down bolt must be centered with the fitted hole in the top layer. These two braces can be dry-fitted in place with the mounting tube nested into its fitted hole. Once lined up, you can add epoxy fillets where the brace assembly meets the fuselage sidewalls. Make sure that you are happy with the Power Pod alignment before this is done as it is almost impossible to do so later.
