Suggestions wanted

[Straick]

I've wanted to get into gliders for a while, but the LHS can only special order one for me. I have been flying standard electrics like gliders for a while(ABC with a larger wing, foamy Cessna with a folding prop). I was wondering what you would recommend for a first time glider. I already have a JR sport sx600 radio. Would that work for getting into gliders? Thanks for any help.

[aeajr]

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A First Look at the New Multiplex Easy Glider
article by Ed Anderson

Here is a first look at a great first glider for all you parkflyer guys who have considered trying gliders. The Easy Glider is a new plane from Multiplex. Multiplex has produced a number of popular planes molded in its resilient Elapor foam including the Easy Star, the Magister, and the Space Scooter.

This new entry comes as a pure sailplane and as an electric sailplane called
the Easy Glider Electric.
http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/ParkFliers/EasyGlider.htm
http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/ParkFliers/parkflier_sport_SFS.htm

Videos are available on the Multiplex webpage (www.multiplex-rc.de):
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorschau/upload/d_videos/easyglider_electric.wmv
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorschau/upload/d_videos/easyglider_schlepp.wmv
Flying on slope lift - video
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/media/MPX4205-EasyGliderSlope.wmv


Prior to release in the US, our LISF President, recently visited Germany and brought one back for Dan one of our newest members. Dan used the recommended Hitec HS-55s for the ailerons and HS-81s for the R/E, a Hitec Electron 6 for the receiver and a 1600 MAh 4 cell NIMH receiver pack which should provide several hours of carefree flying. All fit very nicely in the equipment bay and in the servo cut-outs. The plane balanced perfectly on the first shot with all components in place.

The Easy Glider goes together with medium CA and CA accelerator (kicker).
Dan's one comment on this part of the build was that the CA/kicker combo grabs
and holds very fast. Be sure to dry fit the parts many times so you can get
them straight and right the first time. Other than that, Dan says this is one easy to build plane.

The Easy Glider is made from Elapor foam which is similar to EPP foam in that it can take a pretty good hit and return to its original shape. The wing rod also acts as a spar so you do have more than just the foam to provide rigidity to the wing. Multiplex suggests you use steel rod that you place inside the wing spars if you want to ballast the plane for windy days or to fly it on the slope.

Launching

At 24 ounces and almost two meters in wing span, the hi-start doesn't have to be very strong. Dan has the Dynaflite Standard hi-start. With that day's 3-4 mph breeze Dan was getting excellent launches. The plane tracked very nicely on launch. It also handles launches on strong hi-starts. We have launched it off a Dynaflite heavy duty, and a NESail Pinnacle Pinnacle standard hi-start without a problem. We tried it off a Pinnacle XL hi-start. The plane can take a launch at 12 pounds pull but this strong rubber snaps it up so fast the hook releases too soon. If you lengthen the hook, or add a longer hook you can use a stronger hi-start, though it is not needed. It can be winch launced as well, but the standard hook is short and the pulsing of the winch tends to release the line so you need a longer hook.

Dan had the plane under complete control in very short order and was making beautiful thermal turns with no trouble at all. He was landing the Easy Glider consistently at his feet after only a few flights. The glide and float of the plane are pretty good.

I would say that it should be able to handle wind into the 8 mph range. With a little ballast and the positive aileron control it can go higher. I am dying to see Dan toss the plane off the slope. I think it will do very well though it may need ballast. It is not clear if the wing rod ballast will be enough, but there is room in the fuselage over the CG to creat some kind of a ballast box.

Easy Glider vs. the Spirit as a first sailplane.

The Spirit is a traditional two channel R/E polyhedral winged plane that has
been one of the standard recommendations for new glider pilots.
I would say that the Spirit might float a bit better and fly a bit slower. It
is more stable in calm air with its polyhedral wings and its R/E controls.
Release the stick and the Spirit will self level. This can be very helpful to
new pilots as they catch their first thermals. Just let go for a moment and
you know the plane will return to level flight.

The Spirit can be flow with a simple 2 channel single stick radio, or a 3
channel radio if you add the spoilers for glide path control. Such a set-up
can be as little as $50.

The Spirit's light built up construction gives it a light wing loading of
around 7 ounces per square foot. However that same built up balsa
construction means a stall in a turn near the ground, or an unplanned
encounter with a tree can result in the end of the flying day and a trip to
the repair table. The Spirit is not fragile but it is breakable.

The Easy Glider

The Easy Glider has flatter wings and ailerons which provide a more positive feel in the turns. While there is some dihedral in the wings you do have to be a bit more proactive in bringing the plane back to level flight. However this would give a more positive feel on a breezy day. The Easy Glider does have dihedral wing tips which contribute to stable flight but I would not say the plane is automatically self leveling like a Spirit or a Gentle Lady.

The Easy Glider requires a 4 channel radio and 4 small, and somewhat more expensive servos. While the radio does not require any special features, the plane does use two servos for the ailerons, so it can take advantage of the mixing features of a computer radio to create flapperons or spoilerons for flight path control. Rudder to aileron mixing features of a computer radio would work well
with this plane.

The Easy Glider can take some pretty serious mishaps, bad landing and crashes with a high probability of coming through undamaged. If you accidentally stepped on the wing or dropped something on it, chances are it would take no damage at all. If one did break off a wing tip or something else, the part can usually be quickly reattached at the field with a little CA.

I would say the Spirit or the Easy Glider could be flown by a new pilot. The
Spirit flies slowly and is very self recovering/self leveling due to its polyhedral
design. The Easy Glider also flies fairly slowly and seems very stable. It should handle
cross winds a bit better and is less likely to send the new pilot home to the
repair table.

I think the Easy Glider could be a great first sailplane. The Easy Glider
electric could, likewise, make a great first e-glider.

[aeajr]

I presume you already read this thread:
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=218128

[aeajr]

I've wanted to get into gliders for a while, but the LHS can only special order one for me. I have been flying standard electrics like gliders for a while(ABC with a larger wing, foamy Cessna with a folding prop). I was wondering what you would recommend for a first time glider. I already have a JR sport sx600 radio. Would that work for getting into gliders? Thanks for any help.

Did you ever get your glider?

If you are in the NY/Long Island area, come on over to our field for some help.