This was my first year back to RC after 25 years off. I can handle a 2m 2 chan glider fine and I have a 2m poly 5 channel motor glider (GP Tori) that I fly well too. I've been bashing my foam cub around as well.
I think the advancement in dlgs is one of the coolest things going on. What do you guys recommend for a first dlg? I don't have a budget, I don't want junk, but I also don't need to get stupid either. YouTube has great videos with people introducing the sport but when I shop for the aircraft, they're discontinued. I'm in the U.S. so local distributors would be nice.

-Doug

mini dart 2 from from hyperflight in the UK

https://www.hyperflight.co.uk/produc...ode=MINI-DART2

can get either glass, very reasonable price to carbon a bit higher priced. also usually has a good selection and stock of servos, from bluebird 101s to kst and others.

usually about 5-7 days shipping for my orders.

This looks about what I'm looking for. .5 oz difference between carbon and glass. I was like... not much of a difference, but that's more than 10% of the AUW!
Thanks for the tip!

Doug

Originally Posted by MoeRudda

This looks about what I'm looking for. .5 oz difference between carbon and glass. I was like... not much of a difference, but that's more than 10% of the AUW!
Thanks for the tip!

Doug

I fly a Mini Dart - fiberglass version.
The performance is exceptional and my model at 150 grams auw flies very lightly.
I've put in over 75 flights on it this past week alone!

I can confidently say only a pro or expert f3k competitor would probably notice the performance difference between the two versions. In some conditions a sub-125g 1m dlg is simply too light!

Now perhaps the carbon version has a little more durability in the wing skin. The gf ones are a little prone to handling marks. The receiver positioning is different between the two versions to get correct CG I gather.

Fantastic design and construction though!!!
Recommend them 100%

ALL truly lightweight structures are somewhat prone to "handling marks",

ya just gotta get past the learning how to handle them stage.

You can also look for a club or competition in your area to pick up a used one possibly.

I'd love to find a used glider around me. I haven't seen any local comps yet. I'd probably fly in one if I found it. The mini Dart 2 suggested above looks perfect. Hopefully the shipping won't cost as much as the glider. We've got our big swap meet coming up in February... maybe.

Originally Posted by MoeRudda

I'd love to find a used glider around me. I haven't seen any local comps yet. I'd probably fly in one if I found it. The mini Dart 2 suggested above looks perfect. Hopefully the shipping won't cost as much as the glider. We've got our big swap meet coming up in February... maybe.

I'm in CA and the shipping was $60 if I remember.
It arrived in 3 days from England!

Originally Posted by MoeRudda

I'd love to find a used glider around me. I haven't seen any local comps yet. I'd probably fly in one if I found it. The mini Dart 2 suggested above looks perfect. Hopefully the shipping won't cost as much as the glider. We've got our big swap meet coming up in February... maybe.

Are you referring to the Gulls swap meet at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in February?

Originally Posted by BillyWhiz

I'm in CA and the shipping was $60 if I remember.
It arrived in 3 days from England!

I guess 60$ isn't the end of the world if I go that route. I wonder if there is a similar design I can find that is already stateside.

-Doug

Originally Posted by RCphotoguy

Are you referring to the Gulls swap meet at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in February?

I wish I was in San Diego.... no, I'm near Chicago. The big swap meet at the Kane county fair grounds is coming up.

-Doug

Originally Posted by MoeRudda

I wish I was in San Diego.... no, I'm near Chicago. The big swap meet at the Kane county fair grounds is coming up.

-Doug

LOL, I'm getting old. I read "so local" at a glance as socal in your post. Anyway, we moved from Chicago to San Diego. We loved everything about Chicago except the weather extremes. We still visit from time to time.

Originally Posted by MoeRudda

I guess 60$ isn't the end of the world if I go that route. I wonder if there is a similar design I can find that is already stateside.

-Doug

I had a big search and lookaround b4 I chose the Mini Dart but I couldn't find much direct competition at the price. These MDs were once sold here by ArmSoar I think. I didn't feel bad about paying the shipping from Hyperflight because they really do get on it when u order and there's no waiting or messing about. I ordered overnight, it shipped the very next morning.