newbie - how to get (re)started?

[andyh]

hi rctalk,

looking for some advice here, hope you can point me in the right direction

I used to fly IC planes back in my teens (~20 years ago) - a HiBoy trainer & a home-built funfly-type thing. I was never terribly good, I don't think ever got the 'A' certificate - I was more interested in doing Lomcovaks than flying nice circuits, much to the annoyance of my instructors, no doubt

anyway, these days I fly hangliders & paragliders, often alongside model flyers on the hill. I quite fancy having a model that I can stick in the car for when it's either too light (<10mph) or too strong (>25mph) to fly HG/PG, or just as a "wind dummy" for seeing how rough the air is before I launch myself! I'm thinking a slope-soaring glider of some sort, with an electric motor to save me collecting the model from the bottom when it's too light, & for flatland flying

if anyone can point me in the right direction, that would be much appreciated, I think things have moved on somewhat since I last flew!

many thanks

Andy

[Richard]

The HiBoy was my first plane too

I think what you want is a wing rather than a plane, some slopes frown upon having a motor fitted.

Anyway the likes of these is what I have in mind:
http://www.aeroshack.co.uk/shop/gbu0-pro..._dart.html
http://robotbirds.com/catalog/product_in...ts_id=4670

[andyh]

hi Richard,

thanks for the response

I think I would want something that would cover me for slope & flatlands flying, so I would definitely want a motor - the model flyers where I fly HG/PG don't seem too bothered about motors

ironically, even though I fly tailless in real life, I like my models to have a wing & tailplane. I was rather disappointed to see that SAS only do wings these days

does Sandown still happen these days?

thanks

Andt

[Richard]

Sadly Sandown Model Symposium is no more Check out http://www.wingsnwheels.net

For 'testing' the wind I really think a wing is what you need, you can always get two models

Are you aware of the advances in electric flying... Brushless motors and Lipo battery packs? Theres also a 2.4ghz digital radio system more in use now than 35mhz... no more crystals needed.

[solentlife]

There are a number of foam powered gliders available as RTF (Ready to Fly incl. radio) on ebay and via model shops.

Only limitation really is that they will not like wind .... they are very light and designed for light airs.
To do any sloping - you need to be able to add weight as wind gets up to get penetration ....

Hi-Boy .... taught a lot of people on those and also Yamamotos in 80's. For sloping a good learner machine was the Middle Phase .... I had a Centi-Phase with full symet wing for comp work ....

[Brianathayes]

The Multiplex 'Easy Glider Pro' has an incredible amount of support as a model on which to cut your teeth - the performance is far better than you might expect, and it has beaten much more high-tech and expensive models in competitions.
It is fairly light, but they say you can ballast it up to give more penetration and speed - it can also be built as leccy power or as a glider.
Worth a look?

See http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/sho...p?id=24885

[hpiercey]

I can recommend the Easy Glider Pro, I fly the early Easy Glider with the brushed and gearboxed motor, it thermals well picking up lift well at our flat field site. I've also slope soared it but it does need ballast in anything over a light breeze, all I did was remove the prop blades.
The Easy Glider Pro is basically the same thing with a brushless motor and almost vertical climb performance.
An excellent choice, there are Chinese copies at very reasonable prices as well.
Hector

[StuartC]

I learned to fly on a Middle Phase II ( stiill have an aerobatic wing kit for it, unbuilt in its box and the Phase is in storage.). Then I went powered with a Yamamoto.

[james]

Hi Andy,

First off look at the radio you're planning to use. 2.4 Ghz sets from Futaba or Spektrum or other manufactures mean you don't have to worry about crystals and frequencies - handy if you're on a hill and you're not sure if you are near another RC flying club or if someone is also flying RC gliders just round the next ridge from you.

Secondly insurance is useful, joining the bmfa will give you third party cover in case you need it.

Thirdly, the glider. Although you've not mentioned it I assume you need to fit it into your car alongside your harnesses, maps, hang-gliders and paragliders so it needs to be easy to squeeze into a small space? The flying wing type models are excellent for this and will generally fit on a parcel shelf or into a small space in a boot, particularly if any winglets are removable. The flying wings made from EPP are also very tough and forgiving and will tolerate less then perfect pilots or landing zones covered in rocks or trees!

The easy glider mentioned by Hector is an excellent machine but has a one piece tail so you'll need to figure out how to store it in the car.

Sandown is no longer running but if you're in north Hampshire you could go along to Blackbushe, the trade stands are nowhere near the size of Sandown but its a good day out. It not the best place to get advice on what to buy but you could find it interesting to see how things have moved on. Last year I think there was one glider stand selling mouldies at it although I wouldn't recommend one for you on your return to RC'ing Blackbushe.

One option you may want to consider is a small DLG for light wind days and a heavier flying wing for 25mph days.

James