the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I have been flying pure gliders for 3 years. I started on a Great Planes
Spirit then went to a Sagitta 600 then an Airtronics Legend and now a
Polecat Thermal Dancer. Add to that my slope and hand launch and ... well I
like gliders.

For the last two years I have spent most of my air time with the 3M full
house planes, but this past Sunday I took out my 2M Spirit. I had the
Thermal Dancer with me but the Spirit was first to the launch. The day was
mild and the breeze was light. Perfect weather for my long neglected
Spirit.

To make a long story short, I was at the field for 6 hours and I never took
out the full house, 3M composite glider. The Spirit just flew wonderfully.
It was finding lift on almost every launch. I spent so much time in the air
that I checked the receiver battery. The Spirit sips power but I must have
been in the air several hours.

Several times, as I was coming in for a landing, I had announced my
intention to land, but the Spirit was not ready to land. It gave me a wink
and a nod and showed me a thermal at tree height. I turned into the lift
and up it went again. "Not Landing!" ( Oh, Ed is "not landing" again!
Show off! )

I wasn't timing the flights but I am sure 10-15 minutes were pretty common.
It took some work as the lift was there, then it was gone then it was back.

Easy flying, relaxing and beautiful to the eye. Never a bad behavior and I
could actually look away and when I looked back it was dutifully circling in
the lift. A real partner! A friend, too long missed and now found again.

I really like my 3M planes and unlimited competitions and slope wings and my
parkflyers but the Spirit was my first sailplane. When the Spirit takes to
the air I remember how much fun it was the very first time I put it into a
thermal and how my heart raced and how excited I was then ... and now!

There is nothing like the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider. ;)

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I can so visualize you out there. I am actually a gas aerobat jocky, but I do gliders from time to time. This in turn makes my power flying more graceful. For those out there that have not tried this facet of the obsession called flying, try it, you will be amazed.

Safe Flying!

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Ed,
Like you I'm a dedicated glider person (cant use 'guy' in the UK - its sexist).
I fly everything from R/E to full house 1/4 scalers and, on its day, every one gives me great satisfaction. The day, the model---------the site-------get it right and s*x is second ( I can say that as I am 68
Dave.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

It's like music. Some days you want the full orchestra and others a solo insturment.

papermache

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I learned on gliders, they are so much fun.
After I moved out on my own I got into powered planes and did not have a glider for 10+ years. I bought a H9 Aspire and have put hundreds of hours on the air frame. It is beat up and raggedy, but it is so much fun. Now that my main passion is hang gliding, it's fun to take my glider along for early morning, and evening flights.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I enjoyed this thread so I decided to revive it.

There are so many wonderful gliders that use R/E controls. And I include the RES planes in this since they are flown with R/E controls. They gain some glide path control with the spoiler.

I started this thread talking about 2 M planes, let's face it, they stretch from the simple hand launch planes like the Mountain Models DL50 and Quick Flick II.

Doesn't this look like fun? R/E only
http://www.mountainmodels.com/dl50.wmv

Same controls to fly the larger hi-start/winch launched RES planes like the Great Planes Spirit 100 to the MM Glidertech Marauder, to the composite wonders like the AVA, and stretch out to the giants like the Sailaire.

Easy to build, Easy to fly, Easy to love. No complex radios needed, just a little lift and a little attention and up they go.

Who doesn't like RE or RES sailplanes? I know I enjoy them!

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I couldn't agree with you more Ed! I recently came back into the hobby after a lengthy break and was amazed at the advances that have been made on all fronts in r/c. However, I am in this hobby for fun and relaxation, so dont get the point of some flyers who want to fly the fastest, or break theDS record, or have the thinnest winged invention ever created etc etc. Having said that, I am not a total RES man, as I have a Jart and a Zipper in my hangar, for the days when the wind really gets up, but a good day at the slope for me is going there with 5 planes and coming home with 5 planes, all intact!! If I wanted an adrenaline rush I would go out and bunjy jump or something equally as dangerous. Nothing is more relaxing than flying my Aquila at the slope, doing close fly pasts and watching her fly out again and pick up a thermal. Simply majestic - as a previous poster said, somedays the whole symphony, other days a solo instrument. Enjoy

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I have to admit to being new to sailplanes, but it is addictive. And for the people at the field that have never tried it, they are astounded at how well the Spirit 2M can stay in lift. I finally got a 2500 mah battery for my transmitter, and if the weather cooperates, I'm going to see if I can break the 1 hour barrier, then maybe go for two (three?).

Brad

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

You can certainly do an hour with a Spirit, especially if you have moved the electroncis forwad to lighten it.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Sunscreen, sunscreen. I did three hours with my Gentle Lady and the skin on my face was in tatters for a week afterwards. Once you get into the "groove" of it, you can fly on the trims.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I'm sure I can do the hour or more. Limiting factor has been the transmitter battery. I have the Hitec Optic 6, which with a standard transmitter battery was good for about an hours worth of flight time total. Since I use it for several models, by the time I got around to flying the Spirit, 40 minutes was the best I could do.

Coppertone Sport SPF 50 applied liberally at the beginning of the day, and again as necessary. And a reclining chair.

Brad

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

You are only getting an hour on your optic 6? I think you have a bad battery. Or, are you using the power hungry Spectra module? That will shorten the life of your pack a lot.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Spectra Module. I also have a Hitec Laser 4 that I've been using strictly for buddy box duties, but I'm going to press it into service for the glider. It should be perfect, and the batteries are interchangeable.

Brad

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I have several battery packs for my transmitters. I rarely have to change packs at the thermal field as my primary pack is 2500 mah. However when I am slope soaring I sometimes have to swap packs as you can stay in the air for hours.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

I am going to add another R/E plane to my fleet. Tomorow I pick up the materials to star building a Bubble Dancer.

Technically a RES plane, still it is flown with rudder and elevator. This is one I have admired since first seeing Mark Drela fly his. Hopefully mine will come in at 36 ounces or less.

Any advice from Bubble Dancer builders?

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Sometimes in the quest for pure performance we skip over the simpler and calmer aspects.

I got a short kit for a Thermic 72 from Tom Martin at TMRC a while back. I was eyeballing it the other day and it may just get built this winter or spring in time for some lazy summer pre-twilight flying. NACA 6409 banana airfoil and all. And tissue and dope of course....

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Banana airfoil? What does that mean?

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Naca 6409...:D

http://turbulence.kmip.net/doc/Scien...name1=NACA6409

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

Ah! Undercambered!! Happy Christmas and a great08 to all.
Daveosoar.

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

daceosoar,

And also to you.

Ernie

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

You do miss the simple things. I similarly went from a "Soar Birdy" in 1980 right through to full-house moulded F3B lead sleds. Models gradually became powered, scale, bigger scaler, twin bigger scale........

Recently built my all-time favourite, a Bird of Time from the Dynaflite kit. Beautiful plane, so-so kit. Currently half way through a Sagitta 900 Airtronics kit - now THAT is a nice kit. Lurking in the corner is even an old Soar Birdy kit if I get REALLY nostalgic again!

Anyway, it was the building I really missed - nothing quite like sanding a balsa/ply box into a shark-like glider fuselage. Also laying out the bungee for an afternoon of sedate thermalling is SO relaxing compared to putting 'glass ships into orbit on the 12V winch.

Well, the Sagitta fuz just needs the hatch finished then it's sanding time - oh happy days!:D:)

Happy New Year to all,

Cam

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

With all the planes I have, when I think of going soaring, one of the fondest images is of my Spirt going up the hi-start into a mild breeze, getting really high, then just floating off the line. Oh for the pure joy of it!

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

You can have a lot of fun flying powered models, but I sometimes become bored flying the same old routine. Gliders have proved to be a more cerebral sport because you are always making decisions and finding yourself in a different predicament on every flight. It's the challenge of attaining a good launch, finding lift, staying in it, searching for more lift and finally landing accurately with no go-around options. Also, you never know how long your flight will last and sometimes the only limitation is your receiver pack! This is not a slam to powered flying in any way, but perhaps a new challenge to those who have mastered powered flight and are looking for new ways to keep your hobby interesting. I know guys that have been flying gliders for 30 years and are still learning and enjoying this great facet of RC flying. You can have a great time with only a RE or RES ship with a minimal investment and no hassels with engines, motors, ESC's, etc... I have one 2M ship that was built from a $39 kit and gives me as much enjoyment as a $1500 full-house composite job (I'm also less worried about crashing it!) Long live RE/RES!

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

SIMPLE PLEASURES ARE THE BEST
by Ed Anderson

It is early Saturday morning. You have been pushing hard at work all week. But
today is yours. The Wife and kids are out doing. whatever .. and Daddy gets
some time to himself.

Some of your buddies went bowling and some are going to the game, but you need
some quiet time to commune with nature, and to bring your life back into
balance. Time to think, time to relax, time to enjoy with no caffeine, no noise,
no rush, no hurry, no stress.

The sun came up about an hour ago. The temperature is a very comfortable 60
degrees going up to about 75. Humidity is low and the breeze is a wonderful 5
mph coming from the perfect direction. The morning dew is starting to lift with
that slight fog that it gets sometimes. Overhead is a single bird of unknown
type working a thermal in lazy circles. You envy him, just a little.

The hi-start is laid out and there is a comfortable folding chair set right were
the chute will come to rest. There is a cooler with some drinks, a sandwich for
later and some hot coffee and a roll for now. ( OK, a little caffeine. ;) )

You do your range check, check the air, feel the breeze and launch. Beautiful!

The first couple of launches go well. You hunt around but there is nothing much
happening. That's OK. This is like fishing, without the rowdy guys and the bad
jokes.

On the third launch, you get the height and the direction you want. The plane,
a simple R/E woody with years of time on it, just floats off the line. No big
zoom. No heart pumping vertical release. Just floating off the hook, so as not
to disturb the air or scare the thermals.

As you venture out you feel a bump, with your eyes of course, and start to
circle. And a little thrill builds up inside as the plane starts to rise. The
lift is not strong but it is there. And you work it.

As you rise you sit down in your chair. You put in a couple of clicks of rudder
and put the radio down. You reach over to pour that coffee and grab that roll,
keeping your eyes on the ship the whole time. She is riding the core and
working upward.

You pick up the radio, settle in, put your feet up on the cooler and work the
thermal from your right, across the field, to your left over the next 15
minutes. Life it good.

You feel you are far enough down field, and have lots of height, so you break
off that thermal and head right. At about 1/4 mile to your right you hook again
at about 300 feet. And up you go again.

After a few moments, that bird you saw earlier comes to join you and ride the
lift with you. You feel like you are buddies in the air and sharing a quiet
ride together. Life if very good.

Around 11 AM, your friend shows up. He sees you are in the zone. "How long?" he
asks. Oh, about an hour, I think. You never bring a watch and the flight pack
will carry you all day if you want. R/E planes just sip milliamps.

He pulls out his R/E woody, pulls back on your hi-start, and the two of you ride
the lift, side by side. You introduce your friend to the bird and the three of
you fly for... who knows how long. The conversation is quiet and friendly. You
talk of kids and wives and family and the sweet things in your life. For what
could be bad at a moment like this.

Then another bird joins, perhaps the mate to the first. The sun is comfortably
warm, and rising over your right shoulder. The breeze is the perfect amount to
keep you cool and make for good launches.

The simple pleasures are the best!

When you get home, you are relaxed and happy. You kiss the wife, hug the kids
and all is right with the world. Then your 8 year old comes to you and asks
when you will take them to learn to fly with the birds, just the two of you.
And a smile crosses your face that will probably never leave.

You smile at your wife and she smiles back and says, "I know, another plane."

Oh yes, life is good!

RE: the simple flying pleasure of a 2M R/E glider
 

The largest R/E glider I have ever flown is a 2M. Do the bigger ones fly any differently or are they just bigger?