RC 2 Meter Powered Glider Soaring In The Weather: Flight Six

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: This flight took place back at the coastal slope where the previous outing had been a success. After a firm hand launch, the Tower EP 2 Meter climbed strongly under power before the throttle was cut to take advantage of the rising air along the cliff face. The new wing configuration performed beautifully, allowing long soaring passes while I moved up and down the cliff edge to explore the lift and capture some spectacular low level footage. With growing confidence, I pushed further along the cliffs than ever before, opening up new sections of coastline. The aircraft handled the changing lift well and delivered several smooth, low passes while I continued fine tuning the setup. Flying in unfamiliar air, however, also introduced a new challenge when it came time to land. My first landing approach carried too much speed into an unfamiliar section of the cliffs, causing the glider to clip some bushes. Thankfully the wing is secured with rubber bands, which released exactly as intended and prevented any damage. After a quick reset, I returned to the area I knew better for another attempt. The final landing was made on the open sand below the cliffs. Approaching from further out and staying clear of the strongest rising air allowed for a much longer flare, resulting in a smooth touchdown. It was another valuable session that expanded the flying area, highlighted the strength of the upgraded power system, and reinforced just how important local terrain and lift patterns are when slope soaring.