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aeajr
477 Posts |
 Posted - 08/31/2006 : 12:05:54 AM
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The Multiplex Easy Glider
by Ed Anderson
Here is a first look at a great first glider for all you new
guys who have considered trying gliders. The Easy Glider
is a new plane from Multiplex. Multiplex has produced a
number of popular planes molded in its resilient Elapor foam
including the Easy Star, the Magister, and the Space Scooter.
This new entry comes as a pure sailplane and as an electric
sailplane called the Easy Glider Electric.
http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/ParkFliers/EasyGlider.htm
Videos are available on the Multiplex webpage (www.multiplex-rc.de :
http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorschau/upload/d_videos/easyglider_schlepp.wmv
Flying on slope lift - video
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/media/MPX4205-EasyGliderSlope.wmv
The Easy Glider goes together with medium CA and CA accelerator (kicker).
However, If you don't like to build, rejoyce, the Easy Glider is now sold receiver ready.
No build at all. Buy the package, put in your receiver and a receiver battery,
balance the plane, set it up on your radio, and you are ready to go.
Receiver Ready Package Review
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=5042
The Easy Glider is made from Elapor foam which is similar to EPP foam in that
it can take a pretty good hit and return to its original shape. The wing rod also
acts as a spar so you do have more than just the foam to provide rigidity to the
wing. Multiplex suggests you use steel rod that you place inside the wing spars
if you want to ballast the plane for windy days or to fly it on the slope.
Launching
At 24 ounces and almost two meters in wing span, the hi-start doesn't have to
be very strong. If you are going to winch launch it, I suggest you extend the hook
or replace it with a little longer hook. The line tends to drop off as you tap the
line because the stock hook is so small. It works fine on a hi-start or a hand
tow, but for the winch the hook is too short.
Easy Glider vs. the Spirit as a first sailplane.
The Spirit is representative of traditional two channel R/E polyhedral winged
planes that have been the standard recommendations for new glider pilots.
I would say that the Spirit might float a bit better and fly a bit slower. It
is more stable in calm air with its polyhedral wings and its R/E controls.
Release the stick and the Spirit will self level. This can be very helpful to
new pilots as they catch their first thermals. Just let go for a moment and
you know the plane will return to level flight.
The Spirit can be flow with a simple 2 channel single stick radio, or a 3
channel radio if you add the spoilers for glide path control. Such a set-up
can be as little as $50.
The Spirit's light built up construction gives it a light wing loading of
around 7 ounces per square foot. However that same built up balsa
construction means a stall in a turn near the ground, or an unplanned
encounter with a tree can result in the end of the flying day and a trip to
the repair table. The Spirit is not fragile but it is breakable.
The Easy Glider
The Easy Glider has flatter wings and ailerons which provide a more positive ]
feel in the turns. While there is some dihedral in the wings you do have to be
a bit more proactive in bringing the plane back to level flight. However this
would give a more positive feel on a breezy day. The Easy Glider does have
dihedral wing tips which contribute to stable flight but I would not say the
plane is automatically self leveling like the polyhedral winged planes.
The Easy Glider requires a 4 channel radio and 4 small, and somewhat
more expensive servos. While the radio does not require any special features,
the plane does use two servos for the ailerons, so it can take advantage of
the mixing features of a computer radio to create flapperons or spoilerons
for flight path control. Rudder to aileron mixing features of a computer radio
would work well with this plane.
The Easy Glider can take some pretty serious mishaps, bad landing and crashes
with a high probability of coming through undamaged. If you accidentally stepped
on the wing or dropped something on it, chances are it would take no damage at
all. If one did break off a wing tip or something else, the part can usually be quickly
reattached at the field with a little CA.
I would say the Spirit or the Easy Glider could be flown by a new pilot. The
Spirit flies slowly and is very self recovering/self leveling due to its polyhedral
design. The Easy Glider also flies fairly slowly and seems very stable. It should handle
cross winds a bit better and is less likely to send the new pilot home to the
repair table.
I think the Easy Glider makes a great first sailplane.
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
aeajr on the forums
Long Island Silent Flyers |
Edited by - aeajr on 08/31/2006 12:09:43 AM |
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The Easy Glider - A great first glider
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