thanks to everyone for the advice and considerations. it looks like i'll attempt to outfit it with micro servos and a Li-Po battery to keep the weight down as much as possible. i'll let you all know how it turns out.

Ken, I like the idea of rigging up the foam glider to beat around and practice with - it at least keeps with my passion of working to make something fly. I really cringe at the idea of just pulling something out of a box, throwing in a battery, and sending it up in the air. not to knock the hobby in any way...i, personally, would just get bored real quick.

Barry, thanks for the tip. i'll go check out the place in enterprise. i actually laughed at the idea of troy being a party town...especially over auburn. i've been going to school there four years (finishing my chemistry degree this summer). its very much a 'backpack college' - everyone goes home on the weekends. i dont frequent The Porch much, but who knows...its summer and there's not much to do in small alabama towns...kinda why i'm taking up a new hobby.