The Radio - Along with your aircraft, you will need a radio to control it. Most aircraft radio systems are of four or more channel capability and come with just about everything you need including the rechargeable battery packs. There are some units available with special functions included that are usually with more sophisticated gliders. These certainly are not necessary for the beginning modeler, however.

Although your first glider will most likely only need two channels of operation, you are still better off buying a four channel system. That is because all four channel systems come complete with rechargable batteries while the two channel systems do not. It is always safer to fly radio controlled model aircraft with rechargable NiCd batteries. By the time you outfit a 2 channel radio with the appropriate batteries and charger, you will have paid almost as much as for the 4 channel system. Also, the stick configuration on 2 channel radios is more suitable for vehicles than it is for aircraft.

One thing you may want to look for when buying your first radio is "buddy box" capability. The "buddy box" is where two radio transmitters may be connected together through a cable, the instructor holding one and the student holding the other. The student can have control over the model as long as the instructor holds a trainer switch on his transmitter. If the student gets into trouble, the instructor releases the switch and regains full control of the model. This can greatly decrease the learning time and also be good insurance against accidents with the novice pilot. Check with the local club or instructor to see if they have "buddy box" capability and if so, you may wish to purchase a compatible radio system.

Field/Launch Equipment

If you plan to do primarily slope soaring with your model, you will need virtaully no field support equipment short of a few tools for minor repairs or adjustments. If you are planning to do some thermal soaring, your needs will vary depending upon which method you choose to get aloft.

When Launching with a Hi-Start - Launching with a Hi-start is probably the simplest and cleanest way to become airborn and, as a result, it is the most popular. The only item you will need is your hi-start. Theses come in various sizes and can be found in the Glider Accessories section of our catalog.

When Launching with a Glow Motor - Most 2-meter size gliders require a .049 engine for power pod launch. For this you will require one of the Cox .049 engines, a power pod, paint or finishing material for the power pod if required, and a 1/2a starter kit, which usually has everything you need including fuel, starting battery, wrench, and glow head clip.

When Launching with an Electric Motor - Many electric powered gliders come with the electric motor and prop assembly as part of the kit. The only additional items needed would be a battery (usually two, so you can fly while the other is on charge) and a fast charger that will operate from your 12V car battery while at the flying field. Select the battery, charger, and any additional accessories required with recommendations from the manufacturer of the kit purchased, ir equivallent, as shown with the kit listing in our catalog.

Terms to be Familiar With

Polyhedral - Polyhedral refers to the multiple angle wing panels make with the horizontal. A wing with polyhedral has more than two wing panels and the angle of the wing changes at each joint.

Wing Loading - Wing loading is defined as the weight of the aircraft divided by the wing area. It is usually expressed in ounces per square foot.

Glide Ratio - The glide ratio is defined as the distance travelled in a horizontal direction compared with the vertical distance dropped on a normal glide. A 10 to 1 glide ratio means that the aircraft would loose one foot of altitude for every ten feet of distance travelled.

Conventional Tail - A conventional tail is one with the stabilizer mounted directly on the fuselage and is the usual configuration of an aircraft. These are the simplest to construct and seem to be most popular. T-tail - The T-tail refers to a stabilizer that is mounted on top of the fin. This brings the stabilizer away from the turbulent air-flow of the wing and makes pitch control more responsive. It also gets the stabilizer out of harms way when landing on rough terrain. The T-tail construction is usually more fragile than the conventional tail, though, and be more difficult to build.

Crusifix Tail - Crusifix refers to a stabilizer that is mounted part way up the fin. This is a compromise between the conventional tail and the T-tail combining some of the advantages of both.

V-Tail - The V-Tail is where both the fin and stabilizer are replaced with two surfaces mounted in a V-shape approximately 45 degrees from the horizontal. The control surfaces mounted on a V-Tail control the aircraft in both pitch and yaw.

Flying Stab - A flying stab is where the stabilizer/elevator is one complete unit which all moves to control the aircraft in pitch.

Ballast - Ballast is extra weight added to a glider to help it penetrate better in windy weather or to increase its speed. Ballast is usually added in tubes in the inner portion of the wings or in the fuselage at the center of gravity.

Tow-hook - The tow-hook is a small metal hook mounted on the bottom of the glider fuselage at approximately the center of gravity and to which the hi-start or winch is connected.