Hello,

Thank you for your response,

You are very correct that a pure glider is and will always be more challenging and somewhat risky compared to an electric assisted one… I started by using a hi-start 40 years ago launching my scratch built Mini Bird and I can still remember the thrill and excitement of my first ascents.

A bungee launch is pure magic and if done correctly may be quite safe but preparation of equipment and correct trimming of the sailplane is a must… also a pure glider will be more efficient in flight because the folding prop-spinner creates additional drag no matter how tight it folds against the fuselage which is also bulkier to house the motor-ESC-Lipo.

Flying a pure glider with no luxury of a motor to help in tight situations will make a pilot better appreciate his and the model abilities… it’s a big conversation issue and after decades of flying both electric and pure glider models I can say it’s a tossup and matter of personal preference and challenge.

My extensively involved F5J competition years (after launch no motor to rely on) definitely improved my piloting skills and strangely after hundreds of competition flights I had only a handful of out landings… I attribute this to carefully judging my sailplane potential and taking only logical risks, this relatively safe tactic paid off with 35 trophies collected over a span of seven competitive years.

In these modern times most people are choosing the electric way but may miss a part of pure glider soaring that cannot be easily described unless you actually experience it.

Currently I am in the process of making the molds of my new micro glider design… it’s the Tiny G! with 620mm span and of all composite construction, will be hand or discus launched, or slope soared in diminutive slopes… but I will also fabricate a special micro hi-start for this size using FAI rubber power materials.

Will make some posts in due time of his exciting new project…

Keep on the lift side!

Tasos.