Someone tell me what are good trainer sailplanes.

Thanks

In my opinion, one of the best all around is the Olympic II by Airtronics. While it is not available from Airtronics, (No longer in business) you might be able to find a kit or even scatch build one. They are simple and straight-forward on the construction.

It is overall a easy to build, good thermaling, strong, inexpensive and easy to fly sailplane.

You really just can't go wrong.

Ron

I was looking in the Great PLanes sailplanes and liked the spirit arf. Is it good in your opinion?

I have both Great Planes Spirit ARF and Gentle Lady ARF and I like Gentle Lady much better. It floats and thermals much longer in the air.

The pluses for the Spirit are that it is more durable and has spoilers (I have not had any problem landing the Lady without the spoilers).

I taught myself to fly with the GP Spirit. The general consensus is that it penetrates in wind better than the Gentle Lady.

I initially added the spoilers to my Spirit, but ended up covering them up as I fly at a large field with a large landing area.

Both the GL and Spririt are common entry level sailplanes. The Spirit has a canopy that I found to be a cosmetic pain. I ended up adding a balsa block canopy to my Spirit

If you like the looks of GL better but want spoilers, just add spoilers to it. There are many threads on this site that provide ideas on how to do this.

I started with the Gentle Lady and really enjoy it. It's a good kit to start with because it's a good price (not a lot in it if you prang it), easy to build, very forgiving and a great flying plane. I did put spoilers on it, plus I made some other mods to it for a bit more strength If you decide to go with the GL, PM me and I will be happy to share with you the things I did. These were mods that are on threads about the GL, plus a few of my own so they are easy to do. The ying and yang with the mods is that it does make the plane a little heavier (not Much), but that in turn does give better wind penetration. The GL is down for some repairs at this time, I flew it into a tree. I'm convinced that without the mods the damage would have been a lot worse. The elevator and rudder separated from the fuselage during extrication from the tree, plus one or two holes in the wing covering. No biggie. I'm now in the throws of finishing a Riser 100 too. Good luck whatever you get.

Here are a range of choices that you might consider as first
gliders/sailplanes, depending on your goals.

If you primary focus is a first sailplane for thermal soaring, I have to give
a high recommendation to the Great Planes Spirit. This is a 2 Meter plane
which is a very good size for a new pilot. It is small enough that you can
easiliy transport it, yet large enough that you can see if you manage to catch
a thermal and ride it up into the sky. This was my first thermal sailplane.

In addition to being easy to fly it includes spoilers in the design. Spoilers
can be very helpful in
landing in small areas or for getting the plane out of a strong thermal. I
have the Spirit Select which comes with the radio. I also have 2 other
sailplanes that I currently fly. I love the Spirit and really enjoy flying
it. I recommend this as a first sailplane all the time.

Spirit Kit
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=MC1132&P=7

Spirit ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=MC1135&P=7

Spirit Select Read to fly including Radio
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXVK55**&P=7


If your primary focus is slope soaring, the ZAGI flying wings have a
reputation
as great flyers AND being very tough. Or, if you would like a motor launched
slope glider, the ZAGIs have a great reputation for resistance to damage and
versatility in the air.
http://www.slopeflyer.com/artman/pub...icle_282.shtml

Two other first slope planes that have been highly recommended to me are the
Eraser and the Eraser 60. As far as I know, these are intended as a slope
only planes. I don't see any provision for hi-start of winch launching.

Eraser 48
http://www.canterburysailplanes.co.n...em/Eraser.html
Eraser 60
http://www.canterburysailplanes.co.n...aser%2060.html


Compromise between thermal and slope plane

The Gentle Foamy looks like and is offered in a thermal version but is made of
EPP foam which makes it more tolerant of the bumps and bruises that you are
likely to see on the slope. I think the Spirit, below, is likely to be a
better flyer, but might be more subject to damage on rough slope sites. I have

never flown one, but I have heard that it slopes well and is not a bad thermal
plane.
http://www.mtntoys.com/gf.html


I hope this is useful information. If you would
like to read a larger article on getting started in sailplanes/gliders, try
this link
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=36

Samolot,

Check with Ray Hayes at www.skybench.com or Bob Sliff at www.midwaymodels.com. They both have quality kits for some of the great old sailplane designs that would be suitable. Also, many of these can still be found at ebay or your local club swap meets, from other flyers, or at estate sales or auctions, etc.

When you are ready for scale, try our little 60" 1-26B (woody or foamy versions) which offers great beginning scale with slower flying speeds or our new SGU-17 Schweizer in 1:6 scale and 73" span. (We will offer these in larger spans too at www.tmrcsailplanes.com).

Tom Martin

The spirit is easy for a first time builder, and is forgiving for beginners. Built and learned to fly it on my own. After having a 45 minute flight with it, I am happy with it's thermal ability, beats having to land and refuel like others at my clubs field. I would like to put a power pod on it, but am having trouble deciding if I should try a brushless motor on the pod.

IM teaching myself on a great planes fling. It's small, which makes it slightly harder to fly, but its very portable and very tough. Self teaching myself I've banged it up pretty bad and it wasnt phased. It only costs about......$130 to get it RTF. plus it comes with a fully assembled mini high start. You can't go wrong with it.

The [link=http://www.laserartco.com]Laser Arts[/link] Scepter is based on the Oly II platform and flies very easily.

does the spirit have a motor? if not could it be added?

The EP version of the Spirit is the Spectra. Available in kit or ARF. Throw out the 550 can motor and stick a geared 480 or geared 600 or maybe an Axi outrunner to give it some climb performance. My first sailplane was a Spectra. I still have it, but it has a lot of hanger rash right now.

EJ

Sam:

Just thought I'd mention that the GL is available as an ARF now. Didn't know whether you were aware of that fact.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXELP0&P=7

EJ

The Spirit is a pure sailplane.
Spirit Kit
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=MC1132&P=7

Spirit ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=MC1135&P=7

Spirit Select Read to fly including Radio
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXVK55**&P=7



As mentioned above the Spectra would be the electric version.

Spectra
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...p?&I=LXADK2&P=


You can also add a removeable power pod so it can be electric launched or remove for pure flight.