Basically im gonna do what i did with my rc future jets, except every one knew that jets for me is a bit out of hand. In the future i want to do Scale Gliding. Im so incredibely amazed by gliders and hope to own a full size one when im an adult, but for now i really want to study the art of Scale RC Gliding. So everyone who is in the same beginner position that im in, what planes would you recommend getting after a Tower Trianer to become a Scale Pilot?

1) Tower Trainer

2)??

3)??

X) Scale Glider

THanks you all. ANd for those who dont understand, pm me.

PS: I was planning to post this in the glider forum but knowing that no one would answer i gave a shot at the beginners forum.

Unless you have a good field and launching system make #2 an electric sailplane. The Goldberg Electra with a brushless motor and li-poly batteries would be a good choice. With lightweight radio gear you will be able to fly until your neck gets tired. It will give you time to learn the art of thermaling without a series of launches.

Gliders are generally docile and easy to fly. If you've mastered your trainer, you'd probably be able to fly one. How are you planning on flying? Tow-plane? Hi-start? Slope? Your next step should probably be to decide which way to go (ask in the glider section) and your future planes depends on that. Your next plane should be a non-scale glider to practice with, then you can move to scale gliders. Have you tried this question in the glider forum? You'd probably get more help there.

So far i got 30 hits but no response in the glider forum. ANyway, im probably going to have to tow the plane. The field has great thermals, but not slope so forget slope. I really am trying to be as realistic as possible for the real thing, since i want to be a glider pilot when i grow up as a serious hobby. So i guess towing is the most realistic.

I have looked onto the Jantar 2.6 meter sailplane:

http://www.icare-rc.com/jantar.htm

I love it for three reasons:

Thermals excellent

Easy to fly scale glider

Polish company made the original (im polish)

If you have any feedback on the plane or how to gain experience, please respond

Well, you don't mess around sam.

Actually the Jantar looks like a pretty decent scale glider at a reasonable price. However, I know nothing of it's flight characteristics, so take that with a grain of salt.

Do you have someone lined up that can tow a glider of that size? It takes some experience to "tow" a glider by the way. As is true of most things in this hobby, it's harder than it looks.

Does anyone in your club fly gliders? The easiest way to get started is with a smaller electric as mentioned by Ballgunner. Next easiest would be with a "High-Start", which is usually about 25' of a bungie like material with some length of nylon cord (50' ?). One end is pegged to the ground (the bungie end), the other end has a loop that sits over a pin in the bottom of the fuse. Usually just forward of the CG I believe. High starts can be purchased for around $50, and I've seen them go at swap meets for as little as $20.

Anyway, not trying to discourage, or slow you down, but you might want to find someone locally that's been flying them for awhile.
Dennis-

I was thinking as a mess-around first scale plane, i found the DAW Ka6 to be fine plane after my trainer. Its all EPP, which seems to be good these days. It also has a massive wingspan similar to the jantar, so thats the way ill go. What do you guys think?

Plane available:

http://www.skykingrcproducts.com/rcp...t/DAW_Ka6.html

Please submit your feedback.

Thanks

This would be a better and probably less expensive approach. However, this plane is primarily aimed at the slope market rather than flat land thermal soaring. Be sure to ask Ed about installing the tow line release in the nose. If it has been done, he can tell you what you would need to do.

You could probably highstart or winch launch this plane as well.

You should probably try to find some glider pilots to get you successfully in the air and comfortable with flying sailplanes, before having a go at towing at your local power field. More than likely there are some scale glider flyers in your area, so you need to try to make some contact with them as well.

I learned to fly gliders by myself, but I did a lot of things wrong for a long time. You will learn more from a Saturday visit at a glider club than you will in 3 months of trying it by yourself.

EJ

but you know what, the 2 meter schweitzer made of EPP and then the ASK-21 is also an excellent approach to scale gliding

The DAW 1-26 in both the 60" and 2m sizes have been very popular and they are economical. Just be careful. Like most other scale niches in the hobby, it is a slippery slope and the bug can bite hard and the scale ships can get into your pocket real quick, but so can some of the other high tech gliders. Keep realistic goals.

What kind of radio gear do you have? If you don't already have a computer radio, you are going to want to get one with glider specific programming. You don't have to have one for the basics, but when you start moving up there are things you want/need to do that you really need the radio capability.

Just so you'll know, I am using a Futaba 7UAPS for my power planes or my 3 channel gliders and an Airtronics Vision VS8SP sailplane specific radio for my 4 channel and up gliders. I have a "new to me" Stylus that I have not used yet. It will be a learning curve for me. I have some opinions about radios, if want to know what they are, send me a PM.

EJ

Sam are you 14 years old or over yet?

Why are the ones you have looked at so expensive? I can't find one over 80 on tower...

NewbtoRC:

He is looking for a scale sailplane. Tower does not have any that fit what he wants to do. Tower has some good sailplanes (I think the Spirit 100 with modifications is underated) but none of the planes in the Tower catalog are true scale sailplanes like he is looking for.

EJ

Ejetts the man. Im 16 why?

"Just be careful. Like most other scale niches in the hobby, it is a slippery slope and the bug can bite hard and the scale ships can get into your pocket real quick," What did you mean by this?

Im planning to have an epp to get into the habit of building and being able to trash the plane and still fix it.

The EPP sailplanes are good trainr scale planes especially the ka6 but if my next sailplane after EPP has to be the jantar or possibly the ASK 21, i need something with the similar wingspan.

Cheers

PS: Dont forget that i am going to master a standard 4 channel trainer before going into these planes.

Sam your obvious euthusiasm for sailplanes in general and your interest in persuing the full scale is refreshing. The reason I asked your age is to point out that the minimum age to be signed off for solo on student certificate is 14 years old. You may not have to wait as long as you thought to acheive the dream and yes it isa dream.

Here is a photo of a proud young modeler waiting to be pulled off the dry lake bed by a 46 Ford V8 on his fourteenth birthday a long time ago. The glider is a Baby Bowlus secondary glider.

I was aware of the age limit for having a solo license, its just that i would like to enjoy rc while im still in school, and after college, i will definitely have more time for it, so then i will travel the distance to the club and learn to SOAR.

Thanks

I have made a little overview of what im probably going to get. Im definitely getting the Ka6, as its a much larger wingspan, similar to the Jantar (my dream plane). Also, its very good looking (depending on the covering). This will also be my first cover job and first "kit." First ill probably high start it, once im really bored of the short flights, ill look for some glider pilots and invite them to teach me to tow. Other than that, i hope my training with the basic trainer (tower trainer) goes well, as i was given special consideration at the club. Ill explain the "special" later in a reaaaaaly long post after my first flight with the tower.

Cheers,

Mike