Getting Started in R/C Sailplanes, Part I

Well, yes, things have changed over the years, and there are a lot of choices, but most planes these days are SO much more forgiving, that there's really no reason to feel too stressed out...

Good choices for a beginner's sailplane typically have been planes whose wings span about 2 meters (about 78 inches) or a bit shorter. These planes also only use rudder and elevator for control surfaces and require only 2 channels of control for those.

Over the many years of radio controlled planes, three very popular gliders for beginners have been the Goldberg Gentle Lady, Dynaflite Wanderer (no longer available), or Great Planes Spirit. Two of these kits are still available at many local hobby stores or via mail order.

Each of these planes will weigh in at about 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 pounds depending on the size of radio installed, covering and finishing options. That's OK. Lighter is always better, but when building your first plane don't kill yourself trying to get that last ounce of weight out of the plane. That extra ounce or two just isn't going to matter that much when you're learning to fly. Just follow the instructions as best as you can and try to have fun while doing it.

More recently, however, there's a new type of plane that has become common for beginners and expert flyers alike. These planes are made from EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foam and are nearly indestructible. EPP is a big heavier than building a plane via traditional 'built-up' method, but since these planes are SO much more durable, they make for good first airplanes.

Dave's Aircraft Works used to carry the largest supply of different EPP sailplanes, and now SkyKing RC Products has taken over both the website and manufacture of many of those planes. Many are excellent for beginners, are reasonably priced, and really fly great! I've seen and flown both the TG-3 and S1-26 (handlaunch size) models. Additionally, Canterbury Sailplanes has produced a nice beginner EPP-based plane called the Ranger. I have to say that they're simply the best thing there is for a beginner. I've also seen some very experienced pilots ram their S1-26 directly into the ground at very high speed and those planes just bounce. You can see pictures of some S1-26's on the ground and being flown on my Skyfishers pages. I've built one myself for handlaunch as well (as those other Skyfisher guys can't have ALL the fun). We've done what I call 'Handlaunch Combat' with them as well. The S1-26 just doesn't break that easily.

Dave also used to make the 2-meter version of the S1-26 which I've had many chances to fly in numerous combat sessions in Los Banos. It's probably one of the most durable 2-meter R/C sailplanes on the planet and suitable for slope flying as well as thermalling. So, I guess I just can't give any more of a recommendation as a first plane.

After you've built your foamie as your first plane, only then consider building something with balsa and other materials. You can read below about other planes that have been commonly built (by me and lots of other modelers) over the years.
 
Here's some information on my extra special Dynaflite Wanderer. Years ago, the Wanderer used to cost about $25 via mail order. It's similar to the Spirit in flyability and construction, but different in other ways. (I'd take my trusty Wanderer any day!) The Wanderer was a proven design that was originally kitted by Mark's Models in 1976 or so (I can't remember when it was first released). I know this because I built more than 30 of them around that time. I used to custom build and sell them to others to help finance my hobby. I found them easy to build and easy to fly. The Wanderer can also be quite manueverable if you build in some additional modifications that I built-in to most of the ones I built. I'm mentioning the modifications here, even though the Wanderer isn't available anymore to give you an idea of some simple ideas that can have a dramatic affect on a plane's flyability - be careful when building! [If you're interested in the modifications I used to put in to the Wanderer, click Wanderer Modifications.] The Wanderer has to be my overall favorite built-up polyhedral design R/C sailplane. On a light slope, it was really a great plane for Sunday fun flying (and I still have mine, even though it's more than 30 years old now).

Here's some information on the Goldberg Gentle Lady kit, which is available for about $50, or for about $100 more you can get an Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) version via mail order:

I've never built a 'GL', but it's probably the most built beginner sailplane in history. I've seen zillions of them in every color imaginable. Some modelers have extensively modified the original kit design by using different airfoils and putting 'V-tails' on them. Surprising enough, the GL shows up at thermal contests occasionally and usually does well for this class of sailplane. In my humble opinion (IMHO), however, I think the GL is too weak to be a good beginning sailplane as the fuselage has a tendency to break too easily in a typical beginner 'landing'. However, my Wanderer Modifications work very well on a GL too...

There are a few planes out there that are made of foam, such as the EPP Ranger from Canterbury, so you can be a bit rougher with those planes. It's harder to make any modifications, but those planes are newer, so you're probably in for a better deal anyway!

Once you've built your sailplane (you did follow the kit instructions, didn't you?), get someone to help you check the controls and balance the plane as per the instructions. Balance means that the center of gravity (C/G) is near the first third of the wing, usually on the main wing spar. If the sailplane isn't balanced properly, it just won't fly right or worse yet you may not have any control after the plane leaves your hand. After you're sure the plane is balanced properly and that the control surfaces (rudder and elevator) move the right direction when you move the 'sticks' on the transmitter, you're ready to try it out.

When I first started I thought that I could do everything myself. I built the entire plane, covered it, installed the radio, and generally thought I could do it all (testosterone poisoning, no doubt!). My father (yeah, this was a LONG time ago) drove me to the local slope where I'd heard they flew r/c sailplanes. I was all ready to toss it out into the air when, luckily for me, a 'nice flyer guy' came over to see my new plane and offered to help. If he hadn't, my first flight would probably have been disaster. I had hooked up the elevator backwards and the servo that controlled the rudder came loose as soon as the slightest pressure was applied to the linkage. This would have probably resulted in the plane going out of control immediately after launch. Instead, with his help he had my plane fixed up in only 10 minutes, right at the slope. He also volunteered to teach me how to fly and I really needed that too (even though I thought I didn't need help). And, yes! My plane flew!

If you're really shy and would rather do things yourself, I'd still get someone to look over the setup in your plane and verify that things are, at least, hooked up to the rudder and elevator correctly. After that you can practice in a local school yard by hand launching your sailplane to get the basic feel. It's risky, but private.

Still need more information about beginning in sailplanes?

Do you have some of your own stories you'd like to tell? I'll post them in the articles section if you care to share.

Here's a partial list of beginner sailplanes (there always seems to be more):