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James as an RC RG manufacturer I have my own thoughts.
Here are some of the things I think are issues:
1)RC guys are inherently cheap, they buy a $15 outrunner motor and fly it forever, they don't want to spend $5-$10 for a 1-5 minute flight....
2)Rocket guys don't mind spending the $$ but are afraid they will destroy an rc airplane....
3)You need to find that mix of RC and rocket enthusiast, as ttabbal said with more people getting into drones and with more available good performing stabilized arf planes more people are getting into rc and gear prices reduce and capability goes up.
4)Cost of entry: In reality this isn't that big of a deal but I think psychologically it is a hurdle. A good radio for $125, plus about $100-$125 or so for a kit and components to fly isn't that bad compared to a highpower rocket kit and altimeter, chute etc, but if it isn't something you think you will use a lot it seems like a lot of $$ up front. You can also go with very inexpensive components, servos can be had for $5 each, receiver for $7 and transmitters for $50.
5)availability of kits: As you say rc kits don't seem to last long in the market.
6)suitable power plants. For my take, a nice easy burn rocket motor is the best for rocket gliders, it gives you time to think and react and steer. New people/rocket people tend to think that you want it up in the air very quickly so they don't have time to screw something up...I think that is incorrect thinking unless you have a design that is a true hands off boost kit, something with sliding/folding wings etc that has a very forward CG and flies more like a rocket. There are only a few of those types of motors, and they usually take special expensive casings to use. The 32mm reloads are hazmat and use an expensive casing, only the long burn E-6 type motors are usps shippable. Since the market is small, most vendors dont' carry them, so the availability is limited.
7)Styling. Most of the kits that have been produced are competition styled kits that look a lot alike, ie a simple pod and boom airplane, to me that's boring, even if it is the most efficient.
8)In some cases you could use estes motors, but to keep them from ejecting you have to plug them which nar consideres a modification voiding nar/ama insurance, and people don't want to mess with that typically. Yes, you can design around that.
9)construction can be different, use different techniques and/or materials. Potentially some learning hurdle.
10)special launch pad...required in some cases to support the wings/launch at a less vertical angle....since an airfoiled model can zoom up as it increases speed.
11)Performance, a lot of the previous designs were heavy for the available motors, had a very fast boost, or had a very fast glide which were not tolerant of mistakes.
12)Boost gliders versus rocket gliders, Boost gliders can help with the hands off boost part by putting nose weight up front, but then you have two things to go chase after, if flying on your own trying to fly and watch your pod may not be easy.
Some of the other newer designs by northcoast and JH aerospace have addressed the hands off boost, no special pad, and motor issue using standard motors, but you still have the overhead of radio equipment cost, but for me they still look like a standard wood glider No offense intended...
For my part I've tried to address several of these issues: I'm doing kits that look more like rocket planes or actual airplanes, nothing leaves the model, I'm carrying the 24mm glider motors and try to always keep them in stock, they have a gradual burn rate and are perfect for the weight class, they are pretty easy to boost and very docile on glide, I'm selling the casings at almost cost to help reduce the overhead to get started, the construction and prefab allows them to go together very quickly, they launch vertically with neutral pitch for the speed, use a standard rail or rod available at any launch. Because I do these to order for the most part, I'm able to customize and do different models, so you have a variety to choose from but that still use the same basic components and parts so my overhead isn't high. For some of my kits you can use an adapter to fly them with an electric motor so you get more use out of them than just for rocket launches. In fact that's how I fly a lot of my rocket gliders most of the time, as electric pushers.
I've also tried doing some experimenting and talking with Aerotech to encourage them to do a slight modification to allow the rc reloads to be used in the standard casing or develop a plugged forward closure, to reduce casing cost/overhead, it looks like have listened and are working on that. I'm doing this just to give back to the hobby and because I think they are a lot of fun to fly and I'm trying to encourage people to try it. I'm getting paid for my time, but nothing more. I've sold about 170 kits in a little over a year and a half which is more than I thought I would but not anything you could quit your job and do full time.
Frank
Here are some of the things I think are issues:
1)RC guys are inherently cheap, they buy a $15 outrunner motor and fly it forever, they don't want to spend $5-$10 for a 1-5 minute flight....
2)Rocket guys don't mind spending the $$ but are afraid they will destroy an rc airplane....
3)You need to find that mix of RC and rocket enthusiast, as ttabbal said with more people getting into drones and with more available good performing stabilized arf planes more people are getting into rc and gear prices reduce and capability goes up.
4)Cost of entry: In reality this isn't that big of a deal but I think psychologically it is a hurdle. A good radio for $125, plus about $100-$125 or so for a kit and components to fly isn't that bad compared to a highpower rocket kit and altimeter, chute etc, but if it isn't something you think you will use a lot it seems like a lot of $$ up front. You can also go with very inexpensive components, servos can be had for $5 each, receiver for $7 and transmitters for $50.
5)availability of kits: As you say rc kits don't seem to last long in the market.
6)suitable power plants. For my take, a nice easy burn rocket motor is the best for rocket gliders, it gives you time to think and react and steer. New people/rocket people tend to think that you want it up in the air very quickly so they don't have time to screw something up...I think that is incorrect thinking unless you have a design that is a true hands off boost kit, something with sliding/folding wings etc that has a very forward CG and flies more like a rocket. There are only a few of those types of motors, and they usually take special expensive casings to use. The 32mm reloads are hazmat and use an expensive casing, only the long burn E-6 type motors are usps shippable. Since the market is small, most vendors dont' carry them, so the availability is limited.
7)Styling. Most of the kits that have been produced are competition styled kits that look a lot alike, ie a simple pod and boom airplane, to me that's boring, even if it is the most efficient.
8)In some cases you could use estes motors, but to keep them from ejecting you have to plug them which nar consideres a modification voiding nar/ama insurance, and people don't want to mess with that typically. Yes, you can design around that.
9)construction can be different, use different techniques and/or materials. Potentially some learning hurdle.
10)special launch pad...required in some cases to support the wings/launch at a less vertical angle....since an airfoiled model can zoom up as it increases speed.
11)Performance, a lot of the previous designs were heavy for the available motors, had a very fast boost, or had a very fast glide which were not tolerant of mistakes.
12)Boost gliders versus rocket gliders, Boost gliders can help with the hands off boost part by putting nose weight up front, but then you have two things to go chase after, if flying on your own trying to fly and watch your pod may not be easy.
Some of the other newer designs by northcoast and JH aerospace have addressed the hands off boost, no special pad, and motor issue using standard motors, but you still have the overhead of radio equipment cost, but for me they still look like a standard wood glider No offense intended...
For my part I've tried to address several of these issues: I'm doing kits that look more like rocket planes or actual airplanes, nothing leaves the model, I'm carrying the 24mm glider motors and try to always keep them in stock, they have a gradual burn rate and are perfect for the weight class, they are pretty easy to boost and very docile on glide, I'm selling the casings at almost cost to help reduce the overhead to get started, the construction and prefab allows them to go together very quickly, they launch vertically with neutral pitch for the speed, use a standard rail or rod available at any launch. Because I do these to order for the most part, I'm able to customize and do different models, so you have a variety to choose from but that still use the same basic components and parts so my overhead isn't high. For some of my kits you can use an adapter to fly them with an electric motor so you get more use out of them than just for rocket launches. In fact that's how I fly a lot of my rocket gliders most of the time, as electric pushers.
I've also tried doing some experimenting and talking with Aerotech to encourage them to do a slight modification to allow the rc reloads to be used in the standard casing or develop a plugged forward closure, to reduce casing cost/overhead, it looks like have listened and are working on that. I'm doing this just to give back to the hobby and because I think they are a lot of fun to fly and I'm trying to encourage people to try it. I'm getting paid for my time, but nothing more. I've sold about 170 kits in a little over a year and a half which is more than I thought I would but not anything you could quit your job and do full time.
Frank
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