can you reccomend my first powered sailplane?

[flashprash65]

I fly mainly foamies and some park flyers and the other day i caught a strong thermal with a real light weight foamie... yep i got tired of thrasing the plane around close to the ground. It was so relaxing to just sit back on a beach chair and float.

What i would like is an inexpensive thermal plane (arf) that has a motor (included) that will work with my 1000mah - 15mah 3s lipos. I'm not looking for anything real professional, just a once in a while lazy hazing Sunday thermal bird to kick back and relax with, and not spend an arm and leg.


Any suggestions?

[flashprash65]

sorry 1000mah - 1500mah 3s lipos

[rdwoebke]

I'm not aware of many great combos out there that come with motor included. But Multiplex Easy glider would be a good setup, although I am told that the included motor does not really like 3S.

Ryan

[aeajr]

Multiplex Easy Glider would be a great choice. I love mine!

Kit with moto is $79

Receiver Ready is $160, just add your receiver and battery. ;)

Works well on the slope too!

[DACeller]

Well, in TD there is no such thing! No inexpensive, high performance 2M ARF exists including the EG. Everyone interested has a mod out to enhance performance on their ARF.

Strong Thermal flying requires nothing special at all; except maybe flying skills at the beginner level. You're more apt to lose it or fold it.

Most flying however is done in light lift. I find that I have as one of my hobbies interests a yen for making cheap ARF's better in a cheap way. So, I've got a 38 oz version of the GP Spectra which really is nothing more than replacing the tail feathers, the stock motor with an inexpensive HXT motor, 2S1P lipo, prop and rearranging the servo positions and size. My notes indicate that this ARF originally started out at 55 oz AUW (yes with NiCds)-disgusting! Also did this with a winchable Aspire(NLM), weighing in now at 28 oz AUW. The continuing intrigue then is to yet again improve on what I've done.
Some planes like the Spirit are different depending whether you build from a kit versus ARF (I have two, one has a plank design for Tail feathers, the other Stick build). Ridding the planks simply translates into less needed nose weight to confirm CG.

While light weight alone does not yield the ultimate, you'll be pleasantly surprised what it accomplishes. The whole thing is inexpensive, consistent with beginners, and delightfully rewarding when airborne. If the wind comes up, I bench the light weight and grab a heavier whatever, most of the time just changing to a different fuselage of the same plane.

My unmodded, <2M non-e 24 oz EG is good in both light and heavy wind (<20 mph) now that I have the decalage problem resolved(is that a mod?) with the tailfeathers; but my Aspire outperforms everything I have todate and it's also bigger which one finds advantageous when you do finally get it up.

While not the optimum performer, I'd recommend the cheap foam planes for beginners and don't be too much in a hurry to advance upward, especially if you either crash a lot or have a terrible landing terrain. This is where the EG or EGE excel! It's not as easy or relaxing to fly as RE types so the otherwise here would be a Spirit or Spectra
(More like different strokes/different folks). One of each?

[guy mckenzie]

Quote - It was so relaxing to just sit back on a beach chair and float. - Unquote

Flashprash65 - Be extremely carefull, this can be addictive and incurable....

[bfretless]

While the Easy Glider is a great choice, I think you should also take a look at the E-Flite Ascent (http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL1075), a great little thermal electric ARF. Make sure you read the monster two-part thread here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87671) and here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253112). Believe everyone who says to replace the stock prop. Other than that, put in your radio and power systems and go fly. It floats and thermals well, and also penetrates the wind better than you might think.

Bill

[aeajr]

Yes, Ascent is a good plane. We have club members who ahve them, but the Easy Gliders are taking over!