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The basic definition most accepted for 3d flying is: flying beyond the stall. This is when the airplane is in a full stall situation using thrust vectoring to maneuver. Thrust vectoring is achieved by the power of the prop wash going over the control surfaces. This is the reason a 3d airplane benefits from a 1.5:1 or greater thrust to weight ratio. Its unclear on who the actual "inventor" of 3d flying is, but was brought to popularity by TOC pilots in the late 90's. It did not really gain a strong hold until recent years and has now become more popular than ever. This type of flying requires a lot of skill and specialized aircraft with extremely low wing loadings to achieve the proper flight characteristics.
Some examples of more popular 3d manuevers are hovering and torque rolling. Hovering is a state where the aircraft its in a 80-90 degree up right posistion. The plane is more or less suspended in mid air using the power of the engine to hold it in place. A combination of control inputs from throttle, rudder, elevator, and aileron are used to hold the plane in this position. An airplane with a 1:1 power to weight ratio can hover but will not be able to climb out at all and will have to lean to the belly of the plane to fly out. This is where the higher power to weight comes in handy to get out of trouble. Hovering is also known widely on discussion boards as prop hanging or hanging on the prop. Torque rolling is more difficult. It is achieved when the plane is at a 90 degree vertical angle. At this angle the ailerons on the plane become less effective and there is no prop wash going under the wing to keep the plane from rolling. The torque of the motor begins to cause the plane to spin to the left, thus the name "torque" rolling. This is one of the most spectacular maneuvers to watch as the plane seems to be suspended by a string spinning on its fuselage axis. Other examples of 3d maneuvers would be knife edge flight, and knife edge spins. During knife edge flight the plane is rolled onto its side. Rudder and throttle are used to maintain and change altitude, while ailerons and elevator control yaw and pitch. This for me and many others was a difficult maneuver to master the correct way. A smooth knife edge pass is impressive and beautiful to watch. A knife edge spin is quite dramatic and is a definite crowd pleaser. The plane is brought vertical to a stall and then into the knife edge position. The plane then tumbles down spinning in the knife edge position until the pilot exits the maneuver. This maneuver can be exited and entered in many ways and there are instructions on how to do this trick at www.flyingcirkus.com in the 3d university section. Harriers and rolling harriers are probably the most difficult maneuvers to master as they are always on the edge of a stall. A harrier can be seen when an airplane is flying slowly at a very high AoA (Angle of Attack). Keeping the plane at this angle with the wings level and the plane traveling straight might look easy but is actually a skill in itself to master. The rolling harrier is a league all in its own. This is when the aircraft is kept in the harrier high AoA posistion while simeltaneously rolling to the left or right. During this manuever you are working every single stick on the transmitter. You have to control throttle, rudder, elevator and aileron all at precise inputs or the results can be catastrophic. When this maneuver is mastered it is truely one of the most incredible sights in model airplane aviation. What I've talked about here is just some of what 3d flying is. Its more like an art form of flying. Its a type of flying that you can call your own and develop your own style and attitude with. A thing I love about it is there is always more to learn, or another way to do a maneuver wether it be entrance or exit, or even a combination of maneuvers. The choices are endless and while you may just be starting in the hobby I urge you to take a look at some 3d flying to get you excited about learning to fly, it really is a thrill. |