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Other Sailplanes - 2 Meter, Standard, Open Class, Electric, Scale

'Other' sailplanes are the collective of every other type of R/C sailplane.

They range in size from 2 meters in span length to 'open class' sailplanes of wingspans greater than 100". Some open class sailplanes have wing spans greater than 3 meters, but you better have a large car and friends to help get that plane in the air. Also there is a small list below of electric-assist or powered sailplanes that have electric motors.

Typically, two meter planes are the most popular as they're smaller (and they fit in the car) and a bit easier to manuever and anticipate their movements. The 'standard' and open class sailplanes have the greatest potential for high performance, thermal hunting.

I've broken out each of the different sizes as I want to separate what I consider the 'best' size for learning (2 meter) from the others. Some of the larger, open class sized sailplanes are not only difficult to build, but some can be fairly difficult to fly as well. If you're into performance, some of the planes in the 'Advanced' category can offer a challenge that can be truly rewarding.



Here's a list of lots of R/C sailplanes that I consider 'other' sailplanes:

2 meter (or less wingspan) sailplanes:

Novice/ Beginner

  • Carl Goldberg "Gentle Lady" 78.8" span, wood construction
  • Carl Goldberg "Gentle Lady ARF" 78.8" span, wood construction
  • Dave's Aircraft Works "Schweizer 1-26 Foamie 2 Meter" 71" span, EPP construction
  • Dave's Aircraft Works "Schweizer TG-3 Foamie Trainer" 71" span, EPP (discontinued, for now)
  • Dynaflite "Daydream" 78" span, wood construction
  • Great Planes "Spirit" 78.5" span, wood construction
  • MM Glider Tech "Grand Illusion" 78" span, wood construction
  • NSP "Kestrel 2M" 78" span, all-wood construction
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "2M Lil Bird" 78" span, wood construction
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Pierce Arrow" 76" span, wood construction, Nostalgia class
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Windward" 72" span, wood construction, Nostalgia class
  • Thunder Tiger/ ACE Hobby "Whisper" 55" span, polyhedral, wood construction
  • Thunder Tiger/ ACE Hobby "Windstar MKII" 77" polyhedral, near-ARF, wood construction

Intermediate

  • Art Hobby "Poly 1.5M" 59" span, molded composite
  • Art Hobby "Hyper 1.5M" 59" span, molded composite
  • Art Hobby "Falco 1.5M" 59" span, molded composite
  • Art Hobby "Falco-V 1.5M" 59" span, molded composite
  • Art Hobby "Hush 1.5M" 59" span, molded composite
  • DJ Aerotech "Chrysalis 2M" 78.5" span, wood construction
  • Muller "Mini Ellipse" 58" span, molded soarer
  • NSP "Enigma 2M" 78" span, near-ARF, wood/carbon/kevlar construction
  • NSP "Laser 2MC" 78" span, composite construction
  • NSP "Renny 2M" 75.5" span, lightweight wood/composite construction

Advanced/ Contest/ Not For Beginners

  • Maple Leaf Design "Image" 78.8" span, molded 2M ARF
  • PCM "Erwin 5" 2 Meter span, All Carbon New!
  • RnR "Evolution" 78.8" span, molded 2M ARF
  • NSP "Epsilon 2M" 78.5" span, molded construction
  • NSP "Sisu C" 78.75" span, composite construction


Standard sailplanes (wingspans beyond 2 meter or 78", but not over 100"):

Novice/ Beginner

  • Great Planes "Spirit 100" 100" span, wood construction
  • NSP "Kestrel 100" 100" span, all-wood construction
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Big Bird" 100" span, wood construction
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Windfree" 100" span, wood construction, Nostalgia class

Intermediate

  • Art Hobby "Lotus" 75.2" span, 80% RTF (also a large handlaunch)
  • Art Hobby "Timon" 75.2" span, 80% RTF (also a large handlaunch)
  • Art Hobby "Boar 2M" 78.7" span, 80% RTF (also thermal duration)
  • Art Hobby "Boar-RES" 78.7" span, 80% RTF (also thermal duration)
  • Art Hobby "Sky" 78.7" span, 80% RTF
  • Art Hobby "Velvia" 78.7" span, 80% RTF, F3B (multi-task)
  • Art Hobby "Velvia-C" 78.7" span, 80% RTF, F3B (conventional tail)
  • Art Hobby "Serenity 2.5M" 98.4" span, 80% RTF F3F
  • Art Hobby "JK Thermic" 98.4" span F3B
  • Art Hobby "Thermic-RES" 98.4" span F3B
  • Great Planes "Spirit 100" 99.5" span, wood construction
  • NSP "Hyper III" 79" span New!
  • RNR "Summa" 99" 3-piece wing, all composite kit or RTF
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Olympic II" It's BACK! 99" span, Nostalgia class
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Legionair" Nostalgia class
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Viking" 118" span, Nostalgia class
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Dark Star" Nostalgia class
  • NSP "Opus" 100" span, composite construction

Advanced/ Contest/ Not For Beginners

  • Art Hobby "Sierra 2.5M" 98.4" span, molded composite F3F/F3B
  • Airtech "Passion" 95.5" span, carbon reinforced New!


Open Class sailplanes (wingspans beyond 100 inches):

Novice/ Beginner

  • Dynaflite "Bird of Time" 118" span, LSF Nostalgia Legal
  • NSP "Bird of Time ARF" 118" span, LSF Nostalgia Legal
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Challenger" 145" span, Nostalgia class
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Sky Bird" 132" span
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Paragon" 118" span, Nostalgia class

Intermediate

Advanced/ Contest/ Not For Beginners


F3J (The ultimate in thermal duration):

Advanced/ Contest/ Not For Beginners

  • Jiri Tuma "X-21" F3B, F3F, F3J and TD sailplane New!
  • Maple Leaf Design "Icon" All Molded ARF

Scale sailplanes (or near scale):

Intermediate

  • ICare "Blanik L23 2.7M" 106" span, sheeted foam covered scale sailplane
  • ICare "Jantar 2.4M" 97" span, foam/carbon/glass or molded scale sailplane
  • ICare "Ventus 2c 2.5M" 98" span, sheeted foam covered scale sailplane
  • NSP "ASK 21 Mini" 59" span, molded, scale sailplane
  • NSP "Fox 2M" 80" span, scale sailplane New!
  • NSP "Grob 103 Twin" 142" span, semi-scale sailplane New!
  • NSP "Ka6 2M" 79" span, semi-scale sailplane New!
  • NSP "Ka6-E" 126" span, semi-scale sailplane New!
  • NSP "L 213 A" 109" span, molded scale sailplane New!
  • NSP "Minimoa" 134" span, semi-sailplane New!
  • NSP "Salto Mini" 58.3" span, molded, scale sailplane
  • NSP "SZD-36 Cobra" 90" span, scale sailplane New!
  • Sky Bench Aerotech "Baby Bowlus" 122"

Advanced/ Contest/ Not For Beginners

Electric Sailplanes (a selection of slow flying/saiplane electric planes):

Beginners

  • NSP "Amptique" 61" span, wood construction, polyhedral
  • NSP "Cadet" 41" span, ARF wood construction
  • NSP "Easy Star" 54" span, RTF (+radio), all foam construction
  • NSP "Yardstik" 41" span, near-ARF, wood construction

All Skill Levels

  • Dynaflite "Piece O' Cake" 72" trainer kit
  • Dynaflite "Butterfly" 99" span, trainer kit (not really electric)
  • Garrison Aerodrome "Push-E Cat" 58" EPP Foam Electric trainer/sport
  • Herr/ Sig "Rally XP" 48" span, built-up kit
  • Kavan "Wingo" 43" span, park flyer
  • Kyosho "Soarus 1600" 63" ARF aileron sailplane
  • Kyosho "Stratus 1600" 63" built-up polyhedral ARF, intermediate electric sailplane
  • Kyosho "Stratus 1600 Brushless" 63" built-up polyhedral ARF, intermediate electric sailplane
  • Kyosho "Stratus 2000S" 76" ARF polyhedral sailplane
  • International Electric Models "Electric Taipan" White foam flying wing
  • International Electric Models "Toro" EPP flying wing
  • NSP "EZ-400" 48" span, ARF, wood/foam construction
  • NSP "JayBird" 36" span, ARF, wood construction
  • NSP "Parada" 74.5" span, fiberglass and wood construction
  • NSP "Virus" 42.5" span, near-ARF, wood construction
  • NSP "Virus 400" 53" span, near-ARF, wood construction
  • NSP "Virus V" 42.5" span, near-ARF, wood construction
  • Telink "Rhino 280" 27" electric combat wing EPP
  • Trick R/C's "Zagi-TaZZ" 48" span, brushless, electric wing
  • Trick R/C's "Zagi ZX" 48" span, EPP electric flying wing
  • Trick R/C's "Zagi XT" 48" span, Twin Prop, EPP electric flying wing


Ornithopters (flapping planes):New!

Intermediate/Advanced (not for beginners!)

  • Neuros "Cybird" 39" span, carbon spars, G-10 fiberglass body
  • Ornithopter Zone "Eagle" 12" span, servoless micro ornithopter
  • R & R Model Aircraft "Kestrel" 48" span, fabric wings, G-10 fiberglass body
  • Sean Kinkade "Park Hawk" 48" span, carbon spars, G-10 fiberglass body
  • Sean Kinkade "Slow Hawk" 54" span, carbon spars, G-10 fiberglass body
  • Sean Kinkade "Sunbird" 36" span, carbon spars, G-10 fiberglass body
  • Sean Kinkade "Sunbird XL" 48" span, carbon spars, G-10 fiberglass body
  • Sean Kinkade "Yardbird" 26" span, carbon spars, G-10 fiberglass body



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© 1997-2007 Randy Carr

Last Modified: December 28, 2006