Greg Olrich's Monarch G

May 5, 2002. Mat flew a cross country as well... and where did he land... well Bucyrus ! We are having fun with Greg Olrichs glider... sure glad he let us keep it for another week to get some flights in!Thanks!!

Pilot report:It took three attempts to get away in very difficult windy and turbulent conditions.. .but it was my day to fly and I would not miss it!. The wind was about 10 mph gusting to about 15 mph. Launch was into the wind with a 900 ft auto tow(1000 ft rope). I was able to catch a very broken up thermal to 5200 msl and the drift was such that Mike, my ground crew had a difficult time packing up the rope and getting the trailer underway before I was well on my way. I maintained about 4300 msl and got my lift from ribbons of rising air along the way. However I made a fatal flaw when I decided to wait around for Mike.... I was in a veritible sink hole with 500 to about 1000 down so I was forced to make a landing in very gust conditions 13 gusting to 18 mph.

This was indeed one of the most trubulent flights I have had and all other pilots of the regular 15 meter ships (asw 19, cirrus) reported very turbulent conditions as well. Lift below 4300 was non exisitent and any lift one found was very broken up.

That the Monarch felt fully controllable at all times was a testiment to its excellent design and development. Through the careful design and modifications over the last 20 years the Monarch has achieved the development necessary for the demanding microlift and strong thermals one may encounter anywhere.

A very happy pilot after the flight! note the full windscreen pioneered on these flights this year.
Mat setting up his downwind.
The glider in pieces
Twenty minutes later we are on the road for home!

 

May 4, 2002. Mike flies to Bucyrus from a 900 ft auto tow launch! This cross country was the first of the season, so Mike took it easy... about 14 miles... only about an hour of flying from auto tow launch to landing.. He got to about 5000 ft agl..... and it was cold! He arrived with lots of altitude but decided to land since his back was hurting him. We are now flying without wearing a parachute... we have a BRS... but the support of the parachute made a difference. Much of the flight was in ribbons of lift and he did only two circles in lift once he left the Marion Airport.

Preflight discussions, note the Monarch in the background
OK just how much electronics does it take to fly??
Mike at the end of the tow rope ready for the big moment!
Mike on final at Bucyrus!
The trailer and crew at Bucyrus... now the real test begins!
Posing for the official photo!
Yes it went in easily... the test is complete!
Mike saying goodby to the Bucyrus airport

May 3, 2002. The Monarch Season has begun! Mike and I did our first evening flights... great success! This glider really flies!

Mat looking at the sky... where are the vultures? Note the new full canopy for cold weather flying.
Monarch on final at sunset
Mat on final for 060
The landing!
Mike landing into the sunset on the last flight

April 26, 2002. Well a trial run to the airport and set up of the glider.... just a few things missing such as the tow rope! Well Mat hid it in a spare trailer so nobody would loose it...... well it only took a whole evening to find it.....The trailer still needs some fenders and a little polish.... ready for florida on May 1, 2002.

 

Mat and mike putting the final pieces together.
The fuselage rolls out!
The fuselage on the ground.


Ken trying out the Monarch late in the day.

April 24, 2002. Finally a trail run of the new trailer with the Monarch inside.

Mike hooked his van to the front and we did a test run with speeds to 65... absolutely wonderful!... Now to putting on the fenders.. .and of course flying the Monarch... then off to Florida for its delivery!

Fitting the wings in... yes its tight!

April 18, 2002. The wings have been touched up... next the fuselage, Door fitting to the trailer... we will just have to take it out and fly it to try everything out.

The paint drying on the wings

April 09, 2002. The track has been installed.

The track installed

April 1, 2002. The trailer body is outside waiting for a door and fenders.

A look inside!
The Ohlrich trailer on our hitching post waiting for completion.

Mar 28, 2002.More work on the wing holders.

Toby applying the polyester to the wing tip holders

Mar 23, 2002. Well this was a great day!.. we attached the axle then turned it over!.... the theory actually worked!.... now who's idea was it??

Ken Barrow And Steve Lloyd Attaching the axle.
This is how it started....the trailer is lifted a few inches off the ground. A similar pully and come-along is also at the other end.
Yup its half way over.... no squashed toes!
Say that was easy!... just a few more inches.
so who arrives after its all done... inspector Jim!
And there is the mold removed by the Ken Barrow method! So just open the door and push out the trailer! real neat!

Mar 21, 2002

The tongues ready for mounting on the trailer.
The wing tip holder being made.

Mar 20, 2002

Welding up the tongues

Mar 11, 2002. We just finished putting a layer of 6 oz on the the plywood bottom.

A view of the wing holder being laid up. Mar 12, 2002
The finished bottom... now for hardware!
Tobey spreading polyester on the 6oz cloth.

Mar 09,2002. Greg Ohlrichs trailer has just been started, we did the gelcoat, the layers of fiberglass , the reinforcement strips and fitted the bottom in one week. Hmm... need more Monarchs soon!

The bottom set in and clamped down.. a good days work!
The Crew working on fitting the bottom.
Toby putting the reinforcement strips on.

March 5, 2002 Greg Olrich from Florida has purchased the prototype Monarch G. We expect to deliver it in mid april 2002. He has ordered a trailer for it as well.

The wings ready for making the Wing holders
Willie and Jeff put on the layer of 10 oz.
Mar 4, 2002 laying the mat cloth in the trailer mold. The trailer was first sprayed with a thick coat of gelcoat.

Next this will get covered with a layer of 10 oz cloth and then wetted out with polyester..