aeajr
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The Easy Glider and Easy Glider Electric
Great All Around Planes
by Ed Anderson
For all you pilots who are looking at a glider addition, this may
just be the plane for you.
The Multiplex Easy Glider and Easy Glider Electric have really made an
impact as first gliders or add-on gliders for experienced pilots. The pure
glider does well in thermal lift or in slope lift. The electric version can
do the same and even be flown as a parkflyer, though somewhat larger than
most parkflyers.
Some parkflyer pilots are going with the Easy Glider Electric as their first
or second plane. Let's see why.
Easy Glider
As a thermal duration sailplane, I have been teaching new glider pilots on
the pure glider version. It flies very nicely off a light to medium
hi-start. You can
also launch it with a winch if you tap it up like a Spirit or a Gentle Lady.
You can even give it a moderate zoom at the top. We have had
pilots fly the plane in TD contests at our field. You may want to move the
hook back from the stock position as it is a bit forward for an optimum
launch.
The pure glider, at 26 ounces, floats like a Spirit or a Gentle Lady with a
wing loading in the 6 ounce/sqft range. It can be flown R/E due to the
dihedral tips on the wings. However if flown with a 4 channel system you
can fly both ailerons and rudder. Add a 6 channel computer radio and
you can mix the rudder to the ailerons and set up flapperons or spoilerons
if you connect each aileron to its own channel. This will give you better
landing control.
As a slope glider the Easy Glider does very well in light lift and can take
ballast to take stronger winds. The aileron controls give you much more
positive control than the typical R/E plane. I prefer ailerons on the
slope.
The Elapor foam construction can also handle the rough landing areas at
many slope sites without suffering severe damage. I have used spoilerons
at the slope to help land the plane in small areas on
rough ground with good success. If you slow it down you can even fly it
into bushes, if you must, without the likelihood of serious damage.
Aerotowed behind a Magister
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorschau/upload/d_videos/easyglider_schlepp.wmv
I think the Easy Glider makes a great first glider for slope or thermal, or
a great knock around plane for the experienced pilots. When you don't
want to pack the kevlar/glass plane, or don't like the landing conditions
for your contest ship, or if the lift is too light for your lead sled, pull
out the Easy glider and up you go up for some fun thermal or slope flying.
Flat Field Flying with the Electric
If you fly the electric version you add another dimension to an already nice
plane. At about 32 ounces, all up, the plane has adequate climb using the
stock speed 400 motor and an 8 cell 4/5 A 1000 MAh pack. Even with this
set-up the wing loading is still about 7 ounces per sq ft, or about 2 ounces
lower than the traditional 2M built up thermal gliders like the Spectra or
Electra. Switch to a 3 Cell lipo pack and reduce the weight further.
For flat field flying, power up the stock electric motor and fly up for
30-45
seconds till you reach soaring height, then cut the motor to go thermal
hunting. The stock folding prop, speed 400 and 3:1 gear box work very well.
This is no speedster but it will get you up to thermal height without a
problem. Just keep the climb to about 25 degrees and fly it up. Make sure
your speed control has a break so the prop will stop and fold properly.
Electric - stock set-up
If you want to see how the stock set-up works, this video will show you.
I believe these planes are flying 8 cell NiMh.
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorschau/upload/d_videos/easyglider_electric.wmv
If you want to fly it as a parkflyer you can also keep the power on and just
fly it around the field. It will loop with a little dive first, and you can
do aileron rolls but, again, the stock set-up is not well suited to
aggressive aerobatics. However the glider design makes for a very stable
plane that will really fly slowly. This makes it good for new pilots,
especially those also interested in soaring.
Slope Soaring the Electric
Take it slope soaring too. The Easy Glider Electric does well in light to
moderate lift with the motor off. However if the lift dies, you can power
up and get yourself out of trouble. When the lift is uneven or uncertain,
the electric Easy Electric gives you a nice slope plane that can get out of
trouble when necessary. I think that makes it a good slope trainer. I
certainly enjoy flying it on the slope.
How long can you fly the electric on the slope? I had my Easy Electric in
the air for about 75 minutes during a recent flight. I was flying off a 75
foot cliff with an 8 mph wind that was almost straight in. Plenty of lift
and I was flying about 150 feet up most of the time. I used a 3 second motor
burst to get it into the lift and one climb of about 10 seconds to gain some
room so I could take a phone call.
Net use for that flight, about 200 MA from a 2 cell 2100 MAh lithium pack.
You don't use much power slope soaring unless you are an aggressive aerobat,
and I am not. I am more of a cruiser so an occasional loop or roll but most
of the time I am soaring. Based on that, I could have taken a 6 hour flight
and had plenty to spare.  My 700 MAh transmitter pack only lasts about 2
hours so plan to get a second, or larger pack if you like long days of slope
soaring. 
What About Wind?
When the wind comes up at the flat field or at the slope you can easily
ballast the plane. The instructions suggest you get a steel rod and slide
it inside the hollow wing rod. A 1/4" rod adds about 8 ounces and a 5/16
rod will add about 10 ounces to the 26 ounce pure glider or 32 ounce
electric glider. With this ballast the plane can take a fair amount of
wind. I have flown in 15 mph winds with higher gusts on the flat field. I
would guess 20-25 could be handled on the slope.
Easy Storage and Transport
When the day is done, the wings slide off and go back in the box.
The fuselage packs nicely into a small car so it is easy to transport, store
or to take on vacation. You might even choose to keep it in the trunk,
though I have not tested its resistance to heat in hot climates. My
Aerobird lives in my trunk all through the hot NY summers and cold
winters. The Easy Glider may join it, or perhaps even replace it.
Brushless Upgrade
For those who like an electric parkglider with a little more oomph,
Multiplex offers a brushless motor upgrade package that has everything you
need to replace the stock speed 400 with a BL400 6 wind motor that fits
nicely into the stock gearbox. It comes with a 27 amp ESC with BEC that can
handle the servos. The combo works extremely well with 2 cell 2100 MAh 15C
packs. On the bench, using the brushless upgrade, stock gearbox and prop,
the system pulls 26 amps. I am sure in the air that is more like 22 amps or
about 160 watts. That is about 80 watts per pound. With this system the
plane climbs at about a 70 degree angle and hits termaling height in 10-15
seconds.
Jack of all Trades - Master of None
The Easy Glider is not the BEST 2M glider you can buy, but it is a good
flyer that can stand up to the mistakes of new flyers or the abuse of rough
landing areas. It is fun to fly, easy to transport and would certainly
makes a nice addition to many people's fleets.
The Easy Glider Electric is not the BEST 2M electric glider you can buy.
However it is low cost, flies well and can stand up to the mistakes of a new
flyer. It is fun to fly, easy to transport and handles rough landings well.
It has made a nice addition to my fleet of thermal and slope gliders. If
you pop in the brushless upgrade the plane becomes quite lively and is
capable of some reasonable aerobatics. It is not a bad parkflyer either,
if you have the room for a parkflyer of this size.
These will make great "toss-in-the-car" gliders. Keep a hi-start or a
charger and some NiMh packs in the car and go flying on short notice. They
can take a careless drop, can be stepped on by the dog, knocked off the
table by the kids and will do it all, in the air, with pretty good
performance. Even if you make a poor landing, they will live to fly another
day.
My Background
Your reviewer's background is important. Here is mine.
I spend about 75% of my flying time with pure gliders. Typically I fly 2 to
3 meter thermal duration gliders. Examples would be the Great Planes Spirit,
the Airtronics Legend or the Polecataero Thermal Dancer. I fly these for
fun and in thermal duration contests. Most of my flying is off a club winch
but I also have 3 hi-starts which I use from time to time.
My slope flying has been mostly on a Zagi 3C wing or a 2M fiberglass aileron
slope plane. I also slope my Aerobird Challenger and have had some of my
thermal planes out on the slope.
I fly several parkflyer type planes. This is where I started, but my
interests have turned strongly toward gliders.
So this is my reference point for evaluation. At the time of this writing
the Easy Glider Electric was my latest addition to the fleet of 18 planes.
I have about 12 hours of air time on it and enjoy it very much. I probably
have another 6 hours of air time on other people's non-electric Easy
Gliders. I enjoy them too.
Below I list information about the Easy Gliders as well as other resources.
Clear Skies and Safe Flying!
Receiver Ready Easy Glider Package Review
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=5042
Easy Glider Electric - ARF - $89
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKHS8&P=7
Flight Pack
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKYM0&P=7
Receiver Ready
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240107.asp
Sample Battery - ( may have to change connector )
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGBM4&P=ML
Multiplex Site
http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/ParkFliers/EasyGliderE.htm
http://www.modelspot.com/mpx/easyglider.htm
VIDEOS
Slope
http://www.elflight.dk/video5/easy-gl-hang.wmv
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/media/MPX4205-EasyGliderSlope.wmv
Aerotowed behind a Magister
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorschau/upload/d_videos/easyglider_schlepp.wmv
A close up on how the towing works - sorry there is a commercial first
javascript:void(window.open('/cr/cda/playerex/1,1979,DIY_46086,00.html',
'mm_46086',
'width=350,height=555,scrollbars=auto,menubar=no,toolbar=no,status=no,resiza
ble=yes'))
Flying Indoors
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17509&sort=1&cat=506&page=1
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347989
Cutaway view of electric motor mount and an alternate Mega motor
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3542057&postcount=105
Easy Glider Electric Build and Review
http://plawner.net/4/easyglider/easyglider.html
Easy Glider File for FMS
http://plawner.net/4/easyglider/m_easyglider_e.zip
The New Glider Pilot's Handbook
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=224
< Message edited by aeajr -- 5/8/2007 2:05 AM >
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring >> glider between 1,50 and 2 meters 
glider between 1,50 and 2 meters - 
RE: glider between 1,50 and 2 meters - 
) It would be nice if you can post a link of a comparison between the 2 models.
