Well, here we go . . . I'll do this one step at a time, one day at a time (keeps hands from cramping up) and assume nothing on your part so don't think I'm treating you like a 'Airhead' . . . of course that's what you want to be right?

Step 1: You have to check dad's plane out to be sure it's 'square' ie: wings lay flat end to end to start with. The wings on a GL need some 'wash-out' in them, that is the tips on the trailing edge should be twisted up about 1/2" from the flat surface the wing tip pannel is placed on. This is to ensure you don't get a 'tip-stall' . . . the center section will stall first due to it's higher angle of attack compared to the tips. After you square up the wings, get dad to help you twist the TE tips up while re-heating the covering with your heat gun (or blow dryer) twist em' up a little more than the 1/2' needed and hold while they cool off, they should spring back some, hopefully to the 1/2' you need. If not repeat the process.

Step 2: Balance the plane. Do you still have the plans? If so they show the 'center of balance' point. If not, place your fingers under the wings at the front edge of the main wing spar. The nose of the plane should hang down a little . . . 5-10 degrees or so. If not add weight to make it so.

Step 3: Check out the radio, does everything move in the right direction? When the sticks are netural are the controll surfaces?

Step 4: Take dad out and find a nice small hill, doesn't need to be very big . . . 10-20' high is fine. Turn everything on! Check to see everything moves right. Have dad take some 'prozac' or a stiff drink and then have him toss the plane into the wind straight out like he would a 'dart' nice a gentile like, not like a fast ball. The plane should float on out and glide quite a way forward . . . if not be prepared to run like hell from dad . . . just kidding. If the plane flies straight into the ground it's nose heavy, remove some nose weight, if it immediatily goes nose up and stalls, well it's tail heavy, remove some nose weight (remind dad were talking about the plane's nose, not yours) Bring along some CA, a 'crying towel' for dad and a trash bag . . . you might have need for them . . . just kidding.

The above stuff should be common to you already from your power planes but . . . ya never know

Step 5: You're going to need a "Hi-Start" (it's a 100' length of surgical tubing with around 400' of dacron line tied together.) This is your 'catapult', how you get the plane in the air after steps 1-4 You peg one end down and stretch it out about 100 paces . . . more on that later. Be sure to get a 'standard' Hi-start, don't get anything smaller or cheaper, you'll be sorry if you do. You can get one from Tower Hobbies, Hobby People or if you must, Northeast Sailplane products. They all have web sites. Cost is about $50-$80+

Whoops . . . Step 1.5: Check out the radio batteries, be sure their up to snuff, hold a charge etc. Range check the radio, with the ant. down you should still get positive control at 100 yards. Have dad indicate controls are moving in the right directions standing next to the plane at that distance by waving his arms in the direction of movement.

Well that's enough typing for me for now . . . I'll continue tomorrow with what's going to happen when dad lets go of the plane on the 'Hi-Start" (he's going to need two, maybe three drinks for this one . . .) and how the hawks fly without flapping and you too soon!
Rick K