International Hand Launch Glider Festival
 June 2-3, 2001
 Plane:UpLink
Pilot: Dick Barker  Placing: 3rd 
Designer/Manufacturer: Dick Barker
 Manufacturer: Dick Barker
Construction Techniques:

Dick Barker is shown here with his latest in a series of UpLink HLGs.  Dick was one of the first proponents of the discus launching style, and for the previous 2 or more IHLGF contests has been using the technique.  Sorry to say it but one all the pilots took note of Dick's exceptional launches, Dick had more competition!  

The UpLink is made of Pink foam covered in 1.5 oz. fiberglass.  The wings have a preconstructed shear web made of 3 layers of 1.5 oz. fiberglass at a 45 degree bias.  The core is cut apart, the shear web epoxied in place and then the core pieces rejoined.  Over the spars you can see an extra layer of fiberglass cloth as a capstrip.  Dick uses colored tissue paper and letters printed on tissue paper to add the decorations to the wing.  The tissue is under the fiberglass.

The fuselage pod is made by carving a foam block to shape, then applying fiberglass and resin over the foam.  One applied the pieces are placed under vacuum for curing.  After curing, the hatch is cut out and the foam removed.  The simple construction permits the plane to be made rapidly.  The tailboom is a straight tapered carbon fiber  SkyShark part.  Dick orders a long part which he cuts in half for 2 planes.   The T-tail is standard among many designs originating in the Pacific Northwest.  The control cable is contained within the rudder fin, and curves upward to the elevator.

 

UpLink

Additional Pictures

 The stable of UpLinks under Dick Barker's lean-to tent.  The rapid construction techniques permits Dick to experiment with slight changes to improve the flight characteristics of the plane.

Here is a good example of the T-tail used on the UpLink.  The tube on the side of the rudder directs the elevator linkage to the elevator. The control wire is bent at a 90 degree angle and slips into a tube embedded into the elevator.  This is a solid connection with little play.  Strong, simple, and easy to transport.
The UpLink on final approach for a relaunch.  A very docile airplane to fly.

Simple to fly the Uplink can go up in light lift.