ORIGINAL: NewHobbie1982
Hello everyone and thank you in advance for your reponse. I am wanting to get into the rc flight scene but want a little bit of a challenge so I want my first flight to be with a glider, I have been flying highend stunt kites for several years and want to cut the string and get into gliders. I just started my search for my first glider but I guess what I really want is some advice on which glider is best for a first choice. I have looked at the GP Spirit and Spirit Elite and also the Goldberg FL. I want a glider that will get me in the air yet be able to progress with me as I move up not just a trainer.
Those are good choices. That is, if the Goldberg FL is actually a Gentle Lady by Goldberg. They're both 2meter, and that's an excellent size to begin with. It's best to go with at least a 2meter size. Smaller gliders are ok, but for thermal soaring, increasing size increases the rate you'll find and catch thermals.
You've mentioned two versions of the Spirit. That suggests you're looking at the two kits Tower sells. They're basically the same airplane. The Elite happens to offer the option to build the flat wing with ailerons version. For a beginner, it's usually better to start with a polyhedral wing, one without ailerons. The ones you mention are thermal soarers and for beginners, the rudder/elevator/polyhedral layout is absolutely the best way for beginners.
Thermal gliders are often flown to altitudes where the model is a speck, a very small speck. (It's called specking out as a matter of fact.) Dealing with your model when it's just a dot is a lot easier for beginners when the model's roll stability is aided by the polyhedral.
Swing by the glider forum next time. There's lots to read over there. And more specialists to help with your questions.