Good Starter Sailplane for Builders

[osdude]

I have experience building electric powered planes with balsa, lite ply and iron-on coverings. What is a good sailplane kit, or plan, that will perform well for a thermal sailplane or Hand-Launched Glider (HLG)?

The kits I've seen that are way-cool on http://www.icare-rc.com are fiberglass or pre-molded but WAY-EXPENSIVE.

Thank you for your suggestions!

[CalmAir]

Hi osdude,

The only RC glider I ever owned was a Carl Goldberg "Gentle Lady". It is a 2 meter class (78" wingspan) glider. Rudder and elevator control. The name suits it well, it was very easy to fly and I had a lot of fun with it. This is a kit and you will build everything, right down to carving the nose cone, but it is much easier on the wallet that way. I noticed that Goldberg models also has one called the "Sophisticated Lady" with a T Tail.

I am not a glider expert and there are so many to choose from. I'm sure others will have some good suggestions for you. Here are links to the two that I mentioned.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDJC3&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDJC2&P=0

Dale

[vicjperry]

Hey, I've yet to even fly one yet, but I've built a gentle lady and a spirit 2 meter sailplane.
If you're just starting out, go with the Gentle lady. Really, even I would never attempt to start with one of those big guns you're thinking of. Good luck and happy flying.

Vic

[aeajr]

If you primary focus is a first sailplane for thermal soaring, I have to give
a high recommendation to the Great Planes Spirit. The kit pieces fit very well and the directions are very clear. This is one of the "standards" in the sailplane field. If you survey the sailplane pilots they probably started on a Spirit or a Gentle Lady.

In addition to being easy to fly it includes spoilers in the design. Spoilers can be very helpful in landing in small areas or for getting the plane out of a strong thermal. I also have 4 other sailplanes, two of which are currently flying. I love the Spirit and really enjoy flying it. I recommend this as a first sailplane all the time.

Spirit Kit
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=MC1132&P=7

Spirit ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=MC1135&P=7

Spirit Select Read to fly including Radio
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVK55**&P=7

If you want to know more about getting started in sailplanes, you might enjoy these articles.

First Lift - First Gliders
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=36

Sailplanes are Wonderful
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=18

[mike85gn]

I think the most popular entry-level sailplane kits around are the Goldberg Gentle Lady, GP Spirit, and SIG Riser. They're all very similar designs, good sink rate, low wing loading, and typical for these vendors, are very complete and detailed packages. They are great fun to build as well.

Any of those 3 I would recommend without hesitation for a first time sailplane, or even for experienced sailplane fliers looking for an enjoyable build and less serious flight than a competition glider.

1st post! :)

[aeajr]

I have experience building electric powered planes with balsa, lite ply and iron-on coverings. What is a good sailplane kit, or plan, that will perform well for a thermal sailplane or Hand-Launched Glider (HLG)?

The kits I've seen that are way-cool on http://www.icare-rc.com are fiberglass or pre-molded but WAY-EXPENSIVE.

Thank you for your suggestions!

OS Dude,

Did you ever build your sailplane?