Which glider type in Singapore?

[MicroHeli-Nut]

I cant make up my mind. And I don't want to buy all of them even though Multiplex FHSS receivers for planes are very affordable and good. I want to pick one type first to learn all I need about building, and flying and then move on. But was told otherwise by a veteran when I wanted to pick up the supposed "DLG" Fling from NTC.


So which Glider?

[VinCopter]

It all depends what you want. Thermal, speed, duration, building...

[chiadennis]

Personally I think Fling is not a very good DLG. It's a bit heavy. The DLG guys are using predator II or binary from soaringcomposites. You need to learn to build it as light as possible. I tried DLG, great work out seeing Adnan and David do it. Me turn 360 i loose orientation.

I would recommend MPX cularis if you serious about thermal gliding. It's full house where you learn the different setup. Big enough that you fly high and still can see. Have a bit of fun with some acrobatics. Remove the prop and try sloping.

[chiadennis]

Almost forgot. For me the most important thing I feel about gliders, I don't need to charge my lipo after every flight. I am super lazy to charge lipo. 1 weekend of flying, I use only 1 pack (yes, saturday and sunday). Estimated power flight per flight 30 sec, non-power glide 10 - 15minutes depends on thermal.

DLG even better, I think 4 weekend still no need to charge.
You need to charge your TX more.

[MicroHeli-Nut]

Thanks for responses.

I asked because I want to DLG a lot, but the veteran was saying that it's a bit pointless in Singapore since there's very little winds. And that the DLGs won't stay up very long in air in our weather. That was a while back. So I was wondering whether it more sense to get the TOPMODEL sail planes instead.


Dennis, I have my eyes set on the Binary 900, the Super Topsky 2.0s, and the smaller versions. Was looking towards getting the Mountain Models DL50 too, and the ELF.....

Will join the OHR gang soon enough once exam paper marking is over. So far I've only practised SALing my DIY EPP Alula.

[Pang]

Hi ray,

you should join the guys at OHR and see for yourselve. Their DLGs can stay up very long given right condtions.

in fact, not all gliders like too much wind, like DLGs, as too much wind blow away the thermals too fast.

We do have windy conditions, thats how we slope at BR. when it gets windy then DLGs become more challenging and other types of gliders maybe more suitable.

Alot depends on the type of flying you want. You can also drop by tampines field if you like speed, there are some speed freaks glider flyers there.

[chiadennis]

Not all gliders like wind. DLG model are those that don't really like too much wind. They are built to ride on thermal bubbles or columns and need to sniff where the lift are. The pilot too need to know how thermal are created and how they move around. It is the purest form of flying.

Unlike powered planes or powered gliders where you can use the motor to propel the craft to where you want to fly and how you want to fly, DLG or pure gliders don't have this luxury. Flying and setup gets very technical, good radio, good servos helps a lot. I always tell people wanting to try glider, it's either you love or you will hate it. Sometimes you can be flying whole afternoon and you can't even stay up for 3mins but when you catch a boomer and speck out it's all worth it.

The greatest satisfaction of flying pure gliders is to catch a thermal and speck it out all without any motor power.

Thanks for responses.

I asked because I want to DLG a lot, but the veteran was saying that it's a bit pointless in Singapore since there's very little winds. And that the DLGs won't stay up very long in air in our weather. That was a while back. So I was wondering whether it more sense to get the TOPMODEL sail planes instead.


Dennis, I have my eyes set on the Binary 900, the Super Topsky 2.0s, and the smaller versions. Was looking towards getting the Mountain Models DL50 too, and the ELF.....

Will join the OHR gang soon enough once exam paper marking is over. So far I've only practised SALing my DIY EPP Alula.

[Sunstorm]

Thanks for responses.


Will join the OHR gang soon enough once exam paper marking is over. So far I've only practised SALing my DIY EPP Alula.

hello optimus primal,

I think slope flying and thermal flying is very different. The fun part about pure thermal glider flying (DLGs come into this subset) is that the flight duration lasts for about seconds to 1-3 mins for DLG and hi-start gliders if you dont run into a thermal.

So, sometimes you can hit the jackpot (boomers) and you can get 20 mins or more flights. It's a combination of skill and luck, that's why some of us are so nutty about gliders. It's a bit like gambling....in that sense.

People have, and are still specking out their unpowered thermal gliders. Joe Yap has put up a 1.5 m thermal ship that probably has, in terms of height and duration, outlasted 90% of all other planes out there.

This is part of the fun.

[joe yap]

[QUOTE=MicroHeli-Nut;510728]Thanks for responses.

I asked because I want to DLG a lot, but the veteran was saying that it's a bit pointless in Singapore since there's very little winds. And that the DLGs won't stay up very long in air in our weather.
QUOTE]

Sounds like the veteran is as confused. DLG are build to fly on thermal lifts, and not really meant for slope lifts, and that'll take the wind factors out of the equation.

If you are uncertain about how far you'll go for DLG, I'll think that paying a visit to the field and approach the DLG hardcores to find out more. Getting a decent proven DLGs is the best bet, although there's no need for the highest end stuff. Topsky,Binary and Predator are decent models to start with. Models that performs poorly can put you off this hobby sooner than you can think of.

[randomtask]

Hi MHN,

Like what Joe said. DLG gliders don't need strong winds to keep it up. In fact, lesser wind is better. Being a nut who flies in the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest, I can attest to saying that quite a lot of times, there's too much wind for DLGs. Adding ballast to your DLG will help the flying characteristics on windy days. What you do need to know is the direction of the prevailing wind which will be the basis of locating thermals.

The art of reading air also makes for half the fun. Last weekend, when my DLG was acting up I had as much fun calling (spotting thermals) for my buddy as I had flying. Nowadays wherever I go, I will be reading air and ground signs.

If you really want to give it a shot, I can let you have a go at launching the Predator 2 - Low Wing. The P2 has recorded a 17 minute flight this year. Usually it will manage to get an average of 2min30sec on a decent throw.

I can also safely say, that the Fling DLG is a piece of ****. I would suggest the Predator 2 as it brought me so much joy, but the Topskys have really upped their game this year by including jigs for easy alignment. The price looks good too.

Don't forget about bungee launched gliders ;) There's lotsa fun to be had with those too.

Cheers,
Adnan

[bluemoscow]

Once you hit a boomer . You will be hooked . Sky fishing ... It is very addictive . Looking at the cloud formation , ground sign etc. is half the fun for dlg. There is a lot of technical skill that can be acquired through flying this purest form of Rc flight.

[joe yap]

Simple 2 channel gliders can be very cheap and cheerful, but they'll need a hi-start system to launch and that in turn requires a relatively large field and some hassles to set it up.

DLGs are more expensive usually, but they'll just need a field to fly and minimum hassles and setups.

The choice is yours.

[Sunstorm]

My record is 23 mins and more than 200 m height on a Great Planes small Fling (the 1.2 m hlg that comes with a mini hi-start)

[MicroHeli-Nut]

My reason for interest into DLG is because it really tests the aerodynamics and the efficiency of the airframe. There's a lot to learn and study about CG, airfoil, profile, throws, wing shapes... etc... And definitely the obsession to reduce weight is something i find in common with what I used to do : (Electric heli)

So now I've my misconceptions sorted... DLGs are supposed to work in still air as well. Ok... will arrange to meet Pang for "tutorial" and will try to tag along when Adnan goes DLGing after this week.

Meanwhile, I've been reading the DLG build threads on Topsky 1.0 and Binary 900 over and over again. And trying to understand how "D-box" works...

And sorry, i don't like hi-starts or winch. Just a matter of preference. Thanks, gurus.

[dloh]

Which ever glider...

I cant make up my mind. And I don't want to buy all of them even though Multiplex FHSS receivers for planes are very affordable and good. I want to pick one type first to learn all I need about building, and flying and then move on. But was told otherwise by a veteran when I wanted to pick up the supposed "DLG" Fling from NTC.


So which Glider?

Which ever glider is just as good, the worst glider anyone can get is the Minimoa from HK...its a totally piece of crap and waste of money, Art Tech who produces that particular model didnt even bother to update the motor cuz the original batt for the motor was 9.6V NiMh, so if you put in the 3S 2200 mAh batt and full throttle that bird, it will make an immerdiate right turn, and since the way the wings were designed (back in the 1930s), it is very sensitive to the elevator, ...try changing motor, but that plane is picky at which motor it wants,...it will do loops on u all day with the wrong motor