RC GlidersThe two basic flight skills required are:
What's a thermal? ...good question! By definition a thermal is a rising current of warm air. Thermals are most likely to occur during the early morning and then again during early evening as the surface air is heated by the rising sun, or by the air getting heated by the land as the cooling air moves over the still warm land. There are two different types of RC Gliders available:
There are a few different ways to launch a traditional non-powered RC Glider:
Electric Powered RC Gliders are launched from the ground the same way you would hand launch any other RC airplane. Basically, you would face the plane into the wind, give it full throttle, run a few steps with it, and then let go making sure your release is horizontal to the ground. If you let it go with any upward angle then you risk having the plane stall and crash. It's quite an exhilerating feeling watching your glider continue to fly forward after you let go of it. It really moves very slowly compared to other RC airplanes but because the wing span is so wide it will continue to stay airborne. It's somewhat reminscent of watching your child ride his/her bike for the first time without training wheels as you assist then let go...although they take off much faster...cool stuff! It's also a very good technique to let the glider continue forward and apply the elevator in small movements, allowing the glider to build up more speed as it begins it's climb into the sky. Intermediate Skill Level: I personally own a Hangar 9 Aspire and have found it to be a lot of fun. After having flown this plane a few times I believe it would be better as a second purchase rather than a first plane for a beginner, hence the intermediate ranking. The reason is that controlling this type of flying requires a slightly different technique and I think having some prior flying experience with a more traditional 2 or 3 channel RC airplane would benefit the flyer a lot. 
The Hangar 9 Aspire can be purchased either as a traditional RC glider or with the onboard motor and folding prop. The plane comes fully built with only some basic final assembly required:
The EP version comes with the full radio system, battery, and charger. Here is a picture of the inside where the canopy covers. This version also has a very convenient on/off switch on the left side so you can turn the on-board system on just before launch.
The transmitter also has a unique design to it where the servos are controlled by a traditionally placed front right side toggle stick but the throttle is actually a roll switch on the reverse left side so you can control the throttle with your left forefinger while still holding the transmitter with your left hand and hand launching the plane with your right hand. Click here to read the Aspire owner manual! Click here to read a GREAT tutorial from RC Universe of how to fly an RC Glider!
Intermediate Level: Another RC Glider that is gaining in popularity is the Multiplex Easy Star EP ARF. This plane comes only as a kit unassembled and can be purchased just as a pure sailplane or as an EP, which comes with a Permax Speed 400 motor.
Both versions require a complete radio system i.e. transmitter, receiver, two (2) Hitec 81 servos for the rudder and elevator, two (2) Hitec 55 servos for the main wing ailerons, and an ESC and flight battery for the EP version. The Multiplex Easy Star EP ARF is made of Elapor foam which is a durable, spongy styrofoam looking material. It is ultralight and very "dent resistant". Also keep in mind that this is no small glider. Multiplex Easy Star EP ARF has a wing span of 71 inches and weighs only 35 oz. Click here to read a review of the Easy Glider from RC Groups click here to return to RC Airplanes Index page Click here to shop for RC Gliders!
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