RC 2 Meter Powered Glider First Soaring: Flight Five

The vintage 'Tower EP 2 Meter' features a custom 1600 mm wingspan and has been converted from its original brushed power system to an 850KV brushless motor paired with a 65A ESC, powered by a 4S LiPo and turning a 10 x 8 folding propeller. Flight Review: For its fifth flight, I took the glider down to the cliffs for a proper test after completing a number of confidence building flights at the club. With a northerly wind blowing at around 20 knots, the conditions looked ideal for slope soaring and I was keen to see how the aircraft would perform. I also used my new camera mount to capture the takeoff and several low passes along the cliffs. Once airborne, the glider settled into the rising air with very little effort. Throughout the entire flight I used only around 30 seconds of throttle, relying almost entirely on the lift generated by the slope. The aircraft climbed efficiently and maintained altitude with ease, demonstrating just how capable it is as a soaring platform. I also fitted a new cockpit, something I had wanted to do for quite some time. The addition improves the appearance of the model considerably and gives it a much more complete look in the air, especially during close passes. With the tide running high, the landing required a crosswind approach onto a relatively narrow section of sand. It demanded some precision, but the ailerons provided excellent control authority, allowing me to hold the centreline all the way through the approach and touch down exactly where intended. Overall, it was the most satisfying flight yet with this classic sailplane.