|
|
Thread OP
|
Yippee!
Radian - a new e-glider from Parkzone
Guys, Parkzone is releasing a new plane in October, called the Radian.
http://www.parkzone.com/Search/Defau...erm=pkz_radian The Multiplex Easy Glider has been such a success, it seems Parkzone wants some of the electric glider market. It seems that a lot of the parkflyer crowd have found that gliders are another great from of electric flying. I guess the idea of getting 30 to 60 minutes on a single battery pack is just too attractive to ignore. I spoke to a top competition glider pilot who had a chance to fly one and he said it is a pretty good performer. Video http://www.parkzone.com/ProdInfo/Files/PKZ4700_hi.wmv |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I second that. I got the oppurtunity to test one this past weekend and it flies pretty well all things considered. The stock power system took it vertical with no problems.
The large wingspan surprised me a bit when I got to handle the plane as it looks smaller on the photos. The wing shape is a little odd looking but as I said, it flies really well IMHO. The included radio system is noce as well, a 5 channel spektrum radio should help people avoid frequency problems and is a vast improvement on the 27 MHz stuff that parkzone used to supply. It is the same radio that comes with the new Parkzone Corsair as well. I will be recommending the model to beginner glider pilots and people who just want top try glider without a big investment as soon as it becomes available. The plane is not released here yet either, I got to fly it as I work for the Norwegian distributer for Horizon btw and we got a sample model for testing. Leif |
|
|
|
|
|
Hmmm, looks interesting.
I've been wanting a sailplane that is easier to fly than my Easy Glider Electric. Well, you can guess my skill level from that comment! I can certainly fly the Easy Glider (have put many hours in, and I do really enjoy it), but I often wish it were simpler and more relaxing -- more like my Easy Star. However, I want something that's more of a glider than my Easy Star. Or, another way of looking at it is that I want a foamie version of my Sophisticated Lady. Spoilers would be nice, but I've basically been looking for a foamie Rudder-Elevator ship that is [unfortunately perhaps] self launching (that is, electric). Something with some good dihedral that would allow me to fly more "hands-off" than my Easy Glider. Also, 2 m is a nice size for a sailplane -- over 2 m is probably getting a little big [for me] for frequent casual flying, while much under 2 m can't be seen too high up. (I would also like a much smaller ship, like around 1 m, for flying in small areas -- but that would obviously be a different plane). Anyway, it looks like this plane could fit the bill for me. I'll keep my eye on it and any threads that pop up about it. |
|
|
|
|
|
One of the guys in my club brought one back from the World Soaring Masters. I think it spent more time in the air than all the other planes combined on Saturday, (maybe a slight exaggeration, but it was in the air a lot). It should be a popular introductory plane but I also see fun, cheap MOM contests in this planes future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guys,
I spent some time with the Radian at the Masters tournament and coached Little Lee in the contest. The Radian is probaly the most fun product that Horizon has come up with, for the sailplane guys. The model features R-E and speed control, with a 2-piece eliptical Hobie style wing. The stock power unit has plenty of climb rate and a bunch of capcity, maybe 10 climbs on a charge. The EPP fuselage is Robust enough to handle rough field landings. I am thinking that this is the Perfect throw it in the back seat airplane, that offers instantaneous soaring with a flick of the old throttle stick. IMHO it handles and performs much better than EZ Glider. You guys are going to like it. LJ |
|
|
Thread OP
|
It is early Saturday morning. You have been pushing hard at work all week.
But today is yours. The Wife and kids are out doing. whatever .. and Daddy gets some time to himself. Some of your buddies went bowling and some are going to the game, but you need some quiet time to commune with nature, and to bring your life back into balance. Time to think, time to relax, time to enjoy with no caffeine, no noise, no rush, no hurry, no stress. No 3D flying today. No screaming glow engines, no 100 mph electrics. Today you are going soaring, a different kind of flying with a different kind of thrill. Funny but you seem to be soaring more an more lately. You smile to yourself, but you don't wonder why. The sun came up about an hour ago. The temperature is a very comfortable 60 degrees going up to about 75. Humidity is low and the breeze is a wonderful 5 mph coming from the perfect direction. The morning dew is starting to lift with that slight fog that it gets sometimes. Overhead is a single bird of unknown type working a thermal in lazy circles. You envy him, just a little. You take out your electric glider. It is a simple Rudder/elevator throttle model. Simple to fly, great for catching thermals, and the motor allows you to make multiple climbs to soaring height without even leaving your chair. Next to that chair is a cooler with some drinks, a sandwich for later and some hot coffee and a roll for now. ( OK, a little caffeine. ) You do your range check, check the air, feel the breeze and launch. Beautiful! The motor is quiet, so as not to distrub the serene surroundings. You climb high, but not so high as to be unformfortable. You power off, settle into your chair and relax as you watch the plane hunt for thermals. The first couple of climbs go well. You hunt around but there is nothing much happening. That's OK. This is like fishing, without the rowdy guys and the bad jokes. As you venture out you feel a bump, with your eyes of course, and start to circle. And a little thrill builds up inside as the plane starts to rise. The lift is not strong but it is there. And you work it. As you rise you sit down in your chair. You put in a couple of clicks of rudder and put the radio down. You reach over to pour that coffee and grab that roll, keeping your eyes on the ship the whole time. She is riding the core and working upward. You pick up the radio, settle in, put your feet up on the cooler and work the thermal from your right, across the field, to your left over the next 15 minutes. Life it good. You feel you are far enough down field, and have lots of height, so you break off from that thermal and head right. You have lots of altitude, so there is no need to start the motor. This is soaring, we glide like a bird, silent and beautiful. At about 1/4 mile to your right you hook again at about 300 feet. And up you go again. After a few moments, that bird you saw earlier comes to join you and ride the lift with you. You feel like you are buddies in the air and sharing a quiet ride together. Life if very good. Around 11 AM, your friend shows up. He sees you are in the zone. "How long?" he asks. Oh, about an hour, I think. You never bring a watch and the flight battery will carry you all day if you use it wisely. R/E gliders just sip milliamps. He pulls out his plane, also a simple R/E glider, does his checks, powers up the launch motor and climbs to join you. He powers off and gliders over to where you are riding the thermal lift. You introduce your friend to the bird and the three of you fly for... who knows how long. The conversation is quiet and friendly. You talk of kids and wives and family and the sweet things in your life. For what could be bad at a moment like this. Then another bird joins, perhaps the mate to the first. The sun is comfortably warm, and rising over your right shoulder. The breeze is the perfect amount to keep you cool and make for good launches. The simple pleasures are the best! When you get home, you are relaxed and happy. You kiss the wife, hug the kids and all is right with the world. Then your 8 year old comes to you and asks when you will take them to learn to fly with the birds, just the two of you. And a smile crosses your face that will probably never leave. You smile at your wife and she smiles back and says, "I know, another plane". Oh yes, life is good! |
|
|
|
||
|
Quote:
For all the criticism of e-soaring not being "real" that arises from time to time, I've got to say, an occasional early morning session strapping may AVA wings on to the electric fuselage is mighty satisfying -- and it leaves me the rest of the day to allow the idiots of the world to try to "wind up" the wonderful "unwinding" that quiet flying offers. Happy Landings, Don |
|
|
||
|
|
Thread OP
|
Don,
I am more of a winch guy myself but I just see e-gliders as an alternate launch method. Quick, convenient and with today's light brushless motors and light lipos, they really have little weight penalty compared to the pure gliders. My AVA is about 44 ounces. How much does your all up e-AVA weigh? 52 oz maybe? I think this Radion will be a great way for people to enjoy a first taste of soaring. |
|
|
|
|
|
I'm a bit foggy on what comes with the PNP version. If I'm not mistaken, it's more expensive than the airframe parts, so I'm thinking it must have the motor and the ESC?
I'd be interested in a glider only version. Seems like it might be good for long LSF slope flight attempt at site with lousy landing area. I guess in that case it would need to be painted some darker color! |
|
|
|
||
|
Quote:
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thread OP
|
HEAT AND ESC FAILURE
Anyone having a problem with the ESC? One of our club members just got a Radian. We had it out flying one day, around 50 degrees. Longest motor run was probably 2 minutes. The next time he tried to start the motor it would not work. Horizon thinks the ESC failed. Read the note from my buddy. Ed They highly recommend not to use full throttle-3/4 to climb would be the best. They say things heat up pretty fast when the throttle is wide open!!!!!! Are there air holes to allow cooling air to flow over the ESC and battery? We were flying in 50 degrees on a cloudy day. What would happen if it had been 90 degrees and sunny? Anyone having problems? I have seen this happen on Easy Gliders when guys fly them around like parkflyers. EG has vent holes but the exhusts are very small. You have to open them up. Not sure what the Radian has. |
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads | |||||
Category | Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Discussion | Vapor - New Indoor Plane from Parkzone | gdlluis | Mexico | 3 | Jul 29, 2008 10:55 PM |
Discussion | New FF glider from Wal-Mart to convert? | Wufnu | Electric Plane Talk | 1 | Mar 16, 2006 03:39 PM |
New .15 Corsair from Great Planes: E-conversion? | tran1172 | Electric Plane Talk | 12 | Mar 27, 2005 03:29 PM | |
Beta Build -- 1.6 Meter Glider from e-flightrc.com | rcav8r2 | Electric Sailplanes | 8 | Oct 14, 2004 03:43 AM | |
Sig Jenny Maidens + Thoughts from a new E-Flyer | harrye | Parkflyers | 2 | Aug 09, 2003 05:44 PM |