RC gliders (and powered gliders)

Radio control flight in about its simplest form comes in the shape of rc gliders, and these aircraft are a great way to enjoy some peaceful and relaxing rc flying.

The majority of rc gliders are 2 channel, with control to either rudder and elevator or aileron and elevator. The first option is by far the most common, but ailerons are preferable for the more aerobatic gliders and 'combat' gliders, where good maneuverability is needed.

RC gliders like the Thunder Tiger Windstar, shown below, are very stable in the air and easy to fly. Gliders like this can be flown from a slope or flat land with some kind of launching system eg a bungee system.

Flying rc gliders like the Windstar is a very peaceful experience. Typically flying speeds of gliders of this type are much slower than the speeds of powered airplanes, and this difference gives you plenty of time to react. The high 'polyhedral' wing of the Windstar gives excellent stability, and as a result this style of glider is very forgiving, always wanting to level itself naturally after a turn.

And the large wing area generates large amounts of lift, so given good air conditions you can stay aloft long after a powered airplane needs to be refueled or recharged!

From a personal point of view, rc gliders are a favorite of mine. They require very few - if any - accessories and there are no noise issues to worry about. In fact, the only real concern is whether or not your radio gear batteries will last as long as you want to fly for!

Powered RC gliders

When is a glider not a glider?...
Another option is to purchase a powered glider. These are 'standard' rc gliders that have the added feature of a small electric motor fitted, with a folding propeller. One example is ParkZone's Radian RTF, shown below...

Take one normal glider, add an electric motor and folding prop
and voilá - you have a powered rc glider!

A powered glider folding propeller Following a normal hand launch with power on, you can fly the powered glider up to a suitable height and then turn off the motor. With the motor stopped, the wind over the glider pushes back the blades of the propeller, so they sit tight against the side of the nose, thus reducing drag.
If the plane is losing altitude, you simply power up the motor, the prop blades flick out to their normal positions, and you climb away again.

See the ParkZone Radian RTF in more detail.

Powered gliders may be a 'cheat' to the purists, but they're still gliders in my books! The obvious advantage that a powered glider has over a normal rc glider is that you don't need to find a hilltop or cliff, or a large enough space to operate a bungee system; powered gliders can be launched from flat ground and in spaces that may be too small for a bungee.

Powered gliders like the Radian RTF are a great way to experience some gentle, relaxing rc flight, and of course they offer the best of both worlds - the availability of power and the tranquility of rc gliding!
Read more about rc powered gliders.

Other RC gliders

Discus Launch Gliders (DLGs).

DLGs, such as the Great Planes Fling DL, are a fairly new breed of rc glider and are becoming very popular.
A DLG has a special design, and is launched into the air by flinging it upwards after spinning round 360 degrees while holding its wingtip, like an athlete throws a discus (hence the name...).

You don't need to be strong, because the force needed to power the glider upwards is generated during your spin, and then the design of the glider aids the steep climb. With a good technique, a DLG can reach a surprising height and once the glider has leveled out after its vertical climb, your normal flight can commence.

Above, the Great Planes Fling DL - a newer breed of rc glider

The big advantage with a Discus Launch Glider is that you don't need to be on a hilltop, or in an area large enough to take a bungee system. A DLG can be launched from a relatively small space, as it goes vertically upwards.

Combat gliders.

A personal favorite of mine, 'combat' gliders are also relatively new to the scene of rc gliding and soaring.
Combat gliders are generally much smaller than traditional soarers, and are typically made from EPP foam - a polystyrene-based material that's incredibly tough and resilient to damage.

The idea with combat gliding is to fly as a group, and try and knock your opponent's glider out of the air - because the EPP rarely gets damaged, it's quite safe to fly straight into another glider at full speed!

My EPP combat glider is shown below, an 'Eraser' from Canterbury Sailplanes of New Zealand:

Combat gliders are a great deal of fun, but even if you can't get a group together flying one on your own is equally exhilarating. Because of their smaller size, they fly faster than most gliders and aileron control makes them very maneuverable indeed. Highly recommended for some slope flying fun!

Whichever type of rc glider you go for, you'll be entering a hugely popular sector of the radio control flying hobby. The ease of control and gentle flying characteristics of gliders make them a great attraction to the hobby, and I can highly recommend giving rc gliding a try!

Launching rc gliders - the main methods of launch (non-powered).