ELECTRIC PARK/GLIDERS
If you would like to try soaring with the birds, then an electric glider
might be a good choice. These planes are launched with an electric
motor. They can be flown around using the motor, like a parkflyer,
or they can be flown to height, then the motor is turned off and you
hunt for thermals, just like the birds.
They can do loops and simple aerobatics, but are really optimized for
thermal soaring. The Aerobird and the T-Hawk, which are often
mentioned as first parkflyers, glide and thermal pretty well, but they
come with fixed props. These planes include folding props which make
the plane more streamlined and so it can glide better than
a fixed propeller plane.
Some are RTF which are fully built, include all the radio gear with
everything installed. Battery and charger are included with the RTF
planes. Some are ARFs where you assemble the simple package,
then add your own radio equipment. Some are available either way.
With these planes you get a good first plane, a good first electric and a
good electric glider. It may not have been what you were thinking, but
it may be exactly what you were looking for.
Easy Star - RTF -
This is a Park Glider - can be flown as parkflyer or glider
Great keep in the car plane!
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Build Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350408
Amazing information site for easy star
http://www.mpx-easystar.de/
Video - touch and gos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv
Ventura RTF ParkFlyer/e-glider - $120
I have not flown this one but have read many good reports
Includes one battery and a timed charger. Add a second
battery pack and a peak charger and you are set.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGFK0&P=ML
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=393
Video
http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...93/Ventura.wmv
http://www.hobbico.com/gallery/hcaa2010-large.mpg
Ascent - this is a park glider ARF
It can be flown as a parkflyer or a glider
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=EFL1075
Review
http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?...at=237&id=4233
The Hawk - Available RTF with Radio or Receiver Ready if you
already have a transmitter. The slow glide of an electric glider makes
an excellent trainer plane, especially if you have just a little bit of help.
The package is very complete and the tough foam construction can really
save you time on a repair bench.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6485665/tm.htm
Easy Glider Electric - ARF - $89
REceiver Ready - $159
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMYL0&P=ML
- This is probably too large to be considered a park flyer but
the combination of great flying ability, tough Elapor construction and great
thermal or slope soaring ability makes this an excellent first electric
sailplane. This is what we recommend to the new glider pilots in our club.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKHS8&P=7
Flight Pack
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKYM0&P=7
Receiver Ready
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240107.asp
Review of Receiver Ready Package
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=5042
Multiplex Site
http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/P...asyGliderE.htm
http://www.modelspot.com/mpx/easyglider.htm
VIDEOS
Slope
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...89904446915326
http://www.elflight.dk/video5/easy-gl-hang.wmv
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/media/MPX...liderSlope.wmv
Aerotowed behind a Magister
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorsc...er_schlepp.wmv
Flying Indoors
http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/show...cat=506&page=1
Discussion Threads
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347989
http://www.*********.com/forums/begi...highlight=keys
Push-E-Cat - $95 with brushless motor
59" wingspan on an Epler 205 airfoil. About 22 ounces.
EPP Foam 3 channel pusher design
Thermals very well. Something like a larger, tougher
Easy Star kit but with a brushless motor.
http://polecataero.com/products/push-e-cat
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331174