On Oct 14, 9:35*am, ContestID67 wrote:
A couple of years back I was watching some local scale model glider
pilots flying (interesting winch launching mechanism) and noticed that
they used reflective tape on their leading edges. *This was also
mentioned in thehttp://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/Data/glider-conspicuity-study.pdf
article.

I asked the scale model pilots about it and they said they often loose
their gliders, especially during overcast days, so they circle and
pick up the "flash" of the tape. *The tape that they used is used for
reflective fishing lures. *Seehttp://www.jannsnetcraft.com/reflector-tape-eyes/309100.aspx
for examples.

So I bought some of the tape and used wing tape to attach about 3' on
the leading edge near my wing tips. *I communicated with Dick Johnson
about it and he expressed interest in the concept. *Unfortunately,
life interfered and I never completed a reasonable study if I was more
visible or not. *I plan on being in a contest in 2010 which might be a
good proving ground.

The question is would it affect the aerodynamics of the wing? *If so
it might be a hard sell for competition pilots, which is a prime at-
risk group.

My $0.02.

- John DeRosa

I have flown model XC soaring gliders for the past 22 years. It's not
unusual for the model to be over 3000 above and up to 1 mile away from
the pilot during the race.

I have used several types of the reflecting tape and found for the
models that the best result was with simple chrome film. The "swirly"
patterns may be good to simulate motion to a fish, but the plain
chrome gives a bigger brighter flash in the air.

Top Flite (modeling company) sells an adhesive film, marketed as
TrimCote, in a number of neon colors as well as the chrome. A 4"x30"
sheet is about $4 at most hobby shops. You can buy a selection of
colors and reflectivity and do your own evaluation. Checkerboard
patterns in several colors are also available!

Mike