RC Groups - Electric Sailplanes

Discussion Thinking of Radian or EasyGlider PRO

adamsdp — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:17:06 GMT

I am thinking of purchasing either the Radian or EasyGlider PRO and read some of the forum posts about both planes. I have been flying a Stryker but have wanted to try a sailplane for some time.

It seems from reading older posts, the Radian gets the thumbs up for cost and ready to go out of the box. My biggest question is whether I would eventually miss not having ailerons if I went with the Radian. Can they be added later? Am I overly concerned about ailerons since I didn't read any posts from people who were wishing they had them?

If there are other factors I should think about in deciding between these two planes or any other good choices, please let me know. Thanks!

Dave

Discussion Nose heavy radian

Qualo Kabrigne — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:49:12 GMT

I fly a Super Cub fairly well and did not expect the trouble I am having with my Radian. It is very nose heavy. I am sure I am guilty of over-controlling as I learned the power of the plane, but there is definitely a problem. I moved the battery aft, and then noticed the ESC had slid forward as well. I accidentaly had my Xmtr on high rates and did better than with low. Can anyone share any similar experiences and how they were able to secure the battery into the fuselage? A friend suggested I am worrying too much about CG, and to just use low rates and get the plane in the air, then fly on high rates.

Discussion Robbe Cloud Dancer?

jijohans — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:51:42 GMT

Does anyone have this model? More detailed pictures than the Robbe web site..

Discussion the mini ventus glider

mikelaw — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:15:13 GMT

I just purchased a Mini Ventus. This is my first glider project. Having flown real gliders, this looks a bit challanging for a beginner like me because of the lack of dihedral and what will turn out to be a high wing loading. The wing is very thin and the aileron servos protude. In short the standard servos do not fit very well. Any suggestions on this? The motor supplied looks a bit too small. What motor / prop combo should be used? Mike

Cool Radian - Developing a huge interest in soaring in the Parkflyer community

aeajr — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:09:14 GMT

Guys,

There may be some of you that are not aware of the huge following the Radian has developed in the parkflyer community. It has pulled a lot of parkflyer pilots into the world of soaring. But they are not talking about it here, they are talking about it in the parkflyer forums. This is a trend that was started by the Easy Glider but the Radian has kicked it into high gear!

Here is one thread that shows a beautiful installation of spoilers on a Radian wing. It includes a video. I have asked the guy to provide more details as I might want to pick up a spare set of wings and put spoilers in the wings.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1130901

Here is a Radian discussion with almost 3,000 posts, in the parkflyer forums.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=922597

Why do I bring this up? Because many of your clubs probably have parkflyer pilots who have shown no interest in gliders. But the Radian, like the Easy Glider, has developed a HUGE following in the parkflyer community. They are foam and they fly great and the parkflyer pilots love them! And the RTF package is an incredible value for a quality package. Pilots who wouldn't dream of flying a Gentle Lady are snapping Radians.

I often visit these discussions and add in the pure glider pilot's point of view. Many are hungry for this soaring knowledge. They understand that the Radian is different from their other planes and they really want to explore soaring, but many just don't know how. Some want to know about pure gliders too.

I have done a number of presentations at the local Power club. As a result we have picked up some new members in our glider club and they are all getting Radians.

Any time we get a inquiry about learning to fly, I suggest the Radian or an Easy Glider. If a visitor shows interest, I put them up on my Radian and they are successful almost immediately. I had a 12 year old girl give my Radian a try yesterday. Her Dad is interested and she asked if she could try. I had her on the sticks and was able to turn the plane over to her in less than 15 minutes. She had never touched an RC plane of any kind, nore had she used a simulator.

Naturally I stayed close and she did not land it, but she now feels she can fly an RC plane. She made it very clear to Dad that she is interested in soaring. He is thrilled! There will be at least 1 Radian under the Christmas tree at their house.

Some of the new pilots who started on the Radian added an Easy Glider Electrico or a pure easy glider. A few are now moving to winched 3M planes, but they fully intend to keep flying their Radians. One just put up a Mantis and one is buying a used Graphite from another club member. ONe pilot started on an Aerobird , moved though an EG Electric and now flies a Bubble Dancer and a Mantis, off the winch. His brother is following a similar path, and they are both now accomplished DLG pilots.

Another pilot who started on an Easy Glider is now building a Bird of Time. He will add spoilers and some carbon to the spar for winch launching.

I bring this up from time to time because I continue to hear people lament that soaring and the flying of pure gliders is on the decline. Well I don't know if this is true, but I can tell you that the interest in soaring is growing and it is growing in the parkflyer community. Many got thier first taste by thermaling thier T-hawks, Aerobirds, Easy Starts or one of the other glider like parkflyers.

So, if you want to build the glider population in your club, either get a Radian and give the parkflyer pilots a turn at the sticks, or make your parkflyer pilots aware of the Radian. You could have a lot more soaring going on at your club if you do. And then they are going to want to know about pure gliders too.

Discussion Successful Power Systems-Hopefully A Good Reference

kitfoxdrvr — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:04:48 GMT

I have an old Aquila Grande that is coming up on its thirtieth birthday in January, and it is ready for its second mid-life crisis. Its first crisis resulted in its nose getting chopped off and a Jeti Phasor 30-3 being installed along with 8 GP 3300s. Worked out great, but the Phasor died after many happy 'affairs', and it is time to move on. I am stripping her down (anyone remember Micafilm-Lord, that stuff is TOUGH) and she is now bones. Now I am looking for something new to fit in that hole in the nose! I will probably just go with an AXI and 3s, the Neus and Plettis all go in my Surprises and Raketenwurm; can't afford another for my 'lazy' planes!

I know it has been done before, but I for one would love to see an updated "power solutions" thread showing what you guys have used and has worked for you:

1) Model, Span, Weight

2) Motor, ESC and Prop

3) Battery

4) Describe Climb: Rocket, Vertical, 45 deg, etc, and just what you thought of the system overall.

Thanks to all!

Steve

Discussion How do you determine prop size?

flyboy320 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:48:21 GMT

I have been using motocal to try and match my prop to motor, and it just dawned on me I might be doing it wrong...:rolleyes:

What I have been doing is deciding on the max amp draw I want, and then use motocal to find the prop size that gives that amp draw. When I hit "calculate", I was then just looking at the top set of numbers for the amp draw. What I'm just realizing now is that this if for an airspeed of zero, and maybe I should be looking at the speed more closely to what it will be flying at when climing with the motor on (around 20mph).

Is this the best way to do it? I am trying to prop a 80oz 3M glider with a Kontronic Fun 500/27 with a 5.2:1 gearbox using 3S 2500 30c lipo.

Thanks...

Discussion twin fuselage Radian??

oldparrot — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:21:39 GMT

Hi folks from a very windy Lincolnshire in the UK.

Just fell over this video; would appreciate your thoughts.........

http://www.vimeo.com/7212236

Question Neu 1415/1d w/6.7

cycle1racing — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:39:46 GMT

Anyone have any experience with one of these? I have a F5F ship (10 cell) that wont take a 15xx series in the nose and I want to try something other than a Hacker B50 set up...thanks in advance

Discussion What the heck good does the switch on an ESC w/ BEC do??

tony w — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:06:38 GMT

Guys,

Here comes another dumb one. I have several ESC's for electric sailplanes that have a switch. I always take care to stay away from the prop at all times, but have felt secure knowing that the switch was an extra layer of protection. I was reading the manual on my new Jeti controller, and they made it very clear that this switch does not isolate the battery.

When I get ready to fly, I make sure the switch is off, plug in the battery, then turn the switch on, wait for the ESC to arm, then test the throttle when all is ready. I have had some people here tell me that they do not believe in the switches and do not use them. Others use them.

With my new (to me) bingo, I will of necessity be a little exposed between the time I plug in the battery and then get the nosecone in place. The nosecone is short enough that I will be a little close to the prop.

My question is: Am I fooling myself to think that these ESC switches impart any degree of safety? Is there a safer way to go?

I have seem some people with larger planes use a switch that actually disengages the battery. Kind of looks like a Deans plug going in the side of the fuse.

thanks again,

Tony W (who finally crawled up above last place in a club contest today!)

Discussion Low Rate / High Rate

Qualo Kabrigne — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:48:03 GMT

I have a Radian with the Dx5e. The low rate is 70% of the high rate. Does this mean the low rate actually takes 70% of a stick move and not 100? Does it affect throttle? Does it slow down the response time of the move? I had mine on high rate the other day and flew it better. Usually fly my Super Cub - new to the Radian.

Discussion Bird of time questions.

-=Brian812=- — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:16:50 GMT

I'm laid up from back surgery so I have some time to kill. I was thinking about buying a Bird of time kit, Does anyone have any experience with these?

This would be my second balsa build so do to lack of experience should I buy the ARF instead? Also I plan to make it electric.

Thanks for any input.
Brian.

Discussion Folding props fold too far forward?

The_Todd — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:34:34 GMT

Hi All,
I ordered this folding prop spinner and 10x6" props. The props fold very far "forward", will this hurt my performance under power? Or will the props "ride" in their proper position? This is for an Easyglider Pro setup. I previously had a Radian, which the props forward angle was limited.

(see attached JPG for image)

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Cool Good day flying with buzzards

dion9146 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:01:59 GMT

I took advantage of a warm November day in Kentucky by heading up to my local field for a spin around the sky. No, I didn�t make it to my official club field, just went up to my favorite stalled housing development today with my bastard-child e-Allegro Lite. I finally converted the plane from NIMH batteries to 3S Lipos and built a newer, lighter tail group to make up for the lighter batteries. Man that thing was going straight up!

So, I was bouncing around on some thermals when 3 turkey vultures wandered over to see what I was doing, I was working a low level bubble, the kind the keeps the plane about 75 ft off the ground, not going up or down, when the 3 birds joined me. Every once in while they would screech and move out of my way, but they seemed to be having fun with it, and it was even getting confusing with 4 sets of wings circling tightly all at about the same altitude. So I powered up and climbed to about 300 ft and caught a real nice thermal. Up came the birds and before you know it, we were all just specs above the field. After a while, they got bored with me and one by one peeled off and headed East.

To cap it off, as I was in my landing approach a Sherriff pulls up and gets out of his car. Guess someone reported suspicious activity. He was nice enough to let me land before he started talking, told me to have fun, and drove away.

And Ohio State wipped the team up North AGAIN. All is right with the world. :D

Dion

Help! Magellan E XL/Omega II ME Power system

DavidN — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:58:23 GMT

What would be agood power system. Never flown Esailplane before, unless you count Astro's Fournier. But 20+ years sports RC.

I would like a bit quicker to altitude than the system in January 2010 "I Fly RC".

http://www.icare-rc.com/magellan_e-xl.htm
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=5380

Discussion Painting the Radian.

wa6rxm — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:04:49 GMT

Just got my Radian RTF kit.

I am thinking about PAINTING the fuselage and wings.

Any suggestions for a primer and gloss finish coat(s) which would not damage the foam?

I am assuming that unless a VERY THICK primer were used that the mold bumps would have to be sanded - wondering if this should be done before or after spraying on the first primer coat?

Also, while I know that this would add some weight to the plane, I am thinking that the reduced drag of having a gloss finish might = the weight of the paint.

What I am really looking for is a super-gloss finish.

Thanks for looking.

Discussion Warmlining video

edfardos — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:12:01 GMT

It's rainy on the west coast - so I thought I'd post a video from yesterday so at least we can watch sailplanes if we can't fly'm.

fivefish keychain 111809 10min (9 min 57 sec)

Warmlining a Magellan-E two meter sailplane over Cool, CA (6 min 47 sec)

Magellan-E from ICare 2meter (a lot like the Omega from nesailplanes)

Testing out that new "808 car keys" video camera from the Aerial Photography forum,

-edfardos

Discussion FVK Optima 2

Rpinto — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:17:14 GMT

I recently purchased a second hand Optima 2 with no instructions, anyone knows the CG location? Thanks in advance

Discussion Skybench Big Bird motor help

flyboy320 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:02:01 GMT

Looking at making my almost finished BB into an E model, and I need some help on a motor choice.

Would a Hacker B20 15L with a 4.4:1 gearbox work good with this? I have read that some people have used this power train in a Poly Pulsar 2M, but it much lighter at 20oz, where as Ray says the weight of the BB is around 42oz ready to fly.

Ray recommends a AXI 2820/10, but I need a smaller, narrower motor as the nose section is only 30mm at the front (I started the build as a pure glider and as such have a narrow nose to work with).

Also someone on another thread recommended a Multiplex BL 480/3G with a gearbox. Any other ideas?

Its only for sport flying, so just a decent rate of climb is needed...

Discussion Wing Joiners Recommendations (Answer provided by Old Dude)

mentor34 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:11:56 GMT

I am finishing a Premier Graduate electric sailplane (96"wing) that I started in early 90's and never finished. My question, the furnished wing joiners are heavy, consisting of 9ea brass tubes and 3ea 1 foot long steel shafts for attaching the wings to the fuse. With todays technology there must be lighter and stronger matl to use. Any suggestions, carbon fiber etc and source of supply would be good.
Thanx in advance

Discussion Transmitter Settings for the Cularis Glider

twogumshoes — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:23:19 GMT

I recently purchased the Cularis Powered glider and a Futaba 7C 2.4 xmitter. The instructions I have been reading - put the "Crow" or Butterfly mixing on the throttle - which I believe is going to be too busy in my plane for that.

My runway area is not very long and my first concern is getting it to land. So, I hoped I could put the "bfly" or crow on a switch and about the time I would like to land, I would throw the switch. (and not crash :-))

Good idea? or bad idea?.

Appreciate your pointing me to good understandable reading material on this subject or some first hand knowledge. I would like all the transmitter settings or suggestions for them. if you have them.

My email is bill@PlayCribbagge .com

Thanks

Bill

Discussion Where do I go next? ES Selection...

wrex450 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:47:49 GMT

I'm very comfortable with an Easy Glider Pro that I use for FPV and general flight. I was looking to upgrade to an electric composite bird near the same size. I'm not looking for competition grade, but want something that can fly faster (thus longer fpv range). I'm attracted to a low end composite fuse/wings because of the durability and stability it offers (I land in taller rough grass and it is very hard on the elapor foam, covered balsa has done poorly here too). I also need something with a somewhat scale like fuse, that is not the super slim tail tube as I need to hold a 3 cell lipo and some video equipment. Basically, if I could duplicate the EZ glider pro in composite, I'd be thrilled. So is there an all around bird that fits most of these specs? Is there a suggested category I should search through, I've combed through nesail and soaringusa and am overwhelmed. Appreciate the help!!

Discussion Best place for the motor in the radio.

Lolato — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:56:55 GMT

Hi , I got my first F3J electric and I have a XP9303 JR Radio.Where do you guys use to comand the motor and still have the flaps?
Tks:)

Discussion ArtHobby Planes

AC5FF — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:52:27 GMT

I read through several threads on different Art Hobby planes today looking for a little information, but didn't find what I needed - sooooo :D Yet another Art Hobby Thread!! Yayyyyy :D

Two questons I have about their planes...

First; the wings/tails: I remember (long time ago) reading somewhere that you should seal the wings with something like MinWax or similar... Yet, in the threads I was looking through today I didn't see anything mentioned about doing that... Opinions/Thoughts?!? Is this something I should be concerned with doing or don't worry about it...

Second; I am still up in the air on electric or pure glider ... If I buy an electric it appears that I get the spinner/prop - so I would assume the fuse is pre-cut - is a firewall pre-installed or is that something I'll have to fabricate? (no problems fabricating - just curious here).
Is the fuse the same as the non-electric model? If so, I think I'd just go w/the non-electric for now since I have some nice slopes I can fly from; and when I move back to 'flatland country' I can electrify it at a later time...

Thx!

Discussion Dodgson Windsong conversion to Electric

marcv — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:15:58 GMT

I have a spare completed fuseage for the 132" span Windsong. The wings from my original plane I could use.

I was thinking of converting this to an electric assist. I have a spare F10 geared motor and a four cell lipo. Has anyone modified the sailplane to electric motor assist? I still have all the linkages installed as per the stock plane which i will remove. I wonder where to put the battery?

Marc

Discussion Supra - E Pro??

branwell — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:08:56 GMT

Is anyone flying the Supra E Pro yet?

Help! Preparing for first ION flight.

MAX FISCHER — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:01:48 GMT

Hi, I need some help. I'm a former Heli pilot turned to a Radian and will be receiving a Receiver REady ION in a few days.
Tossing the Foam Radian in the air was no biggie, I set the CG and that was it.
SO, now that I have myself a decent little bird the ION, what do I do before launching it off at 3/4 throttle?

1. Program Radio for control surface throws.
2. CHeck CG
3.?
4. ??????

here it is http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1140997

THanks for your help

Discussion Any cheap motor good for the Merlin ?

zaguruinzasky — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:16:01 GMT

I need a motor for the Multiplex Merlin, something cheaper than the powerset from Multiplex, can you guys reccomend me some product ?

Maybe sommething for 2s lipo instead of 3s.

Thanks

Question Electric Cumic

Hossfly72 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:20:22 GMT

I've aquired a 99inch span Cumic and really have no way of launching it without dragging out a huge highstart. Would it be worth the trouble to convert it to electric power and would it fly halfway decent with the added weight? A friend did some mods on it so it's lighter in the rear than most other Cumics. Pull Pull rudder and a lighter structure back there. Fiberglass fuse. As far as I can tell, it's never been flown. I haven't gotten a total weight on it though.

Any ideas? Hints? Tips? Warnings?

Thanks,
Hoss
(if only I had a slope!!!)

Discussion Bird Of Time 142" wing

Lockley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:34:18 GMT

Bird of Time 142" wing, KDA 22-20. Now to find a flying field large enough. Dave

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