Good FPV Glider platforms

[Coyote]

I thought i`d start a thread up of glider platforms suited and proven very sucessfull for FPV use. They are spacious easy to repair and are fairly forgiving for dumb thumb moments ( remember altitude is your friend ;) )

First off the most common : The Multiplex Easystar



Technical Data:

  Wingspan: 54"/1370 mm
  Fuselage length: 34"/870 mm
  All-up weight: approx. 24 oz/680 g
  Wing area: approx. 372 in²/24dm²
  Wing loading: approx. (FAI) 8,3 oz/ft²/25,7 g/dm²
  Motor: Permax 400/6V

Functions:

  Rudder, elevator, motor

Available through many stores but normally on back order, it can house a lot of FPV gear easily, comes with fuse split for ease of installation. Many manymods for it are available online to make it more nimble, fly faster longer etc It does not come with ailerons but they are easily added if required. A great easy to fly package ideal for the beginner. Purpose FPV pods can be bought online making installation a breeze

The next common platform is : The Axn Clouds Fly



This bird is a copy of the Eaststar basically, but smaller and has ailerons already fitted. It does not have a split fuse though so more carefull equipment installation is required but is a very effective airframe none the less. At half the price of the Easystar it has to be considered as an option

If a even larger airframe is what your after then consider : The Multiplex Cularis



As apposed to the first two rear mounted motor pusher aircraft the Cularis has a front mounted motor with foldable prop to lessen drag and aid soaring. Due to its much bigger size space is never a problem during installation as it has plenty. This would not be so suitable for a first time bird but if a larger better performing glider is what your after then this could be a smart choice

There are other options so ill update as and when

The other option of course is Glass Fibre platforms :

Fun Fly ASW-28



The ASW-28 is a 2.53m wingspan glider available as a pure glider platform or electric conversion. Its fibre glass fuse is very light and lightweight balsa wings aid wing loading values giving impressive results. Its fuselarge is very spacious and ideal for spacing out FPV equipment. As with all glass fibre airframes fitting equipment externally or fitting into fibre glass must be carefully thought out, much more than foamie equivelants. RF penetration through glass fibre is also not good so mounting antennas internally is also not advised. Most of the glass fibre airframes do need additional strengthening to cope with harder landing. But not the end of the world. Due to cockpit size and positioning a lot of flexability is available for camera mounting.

DG-1000



The DG-1000 is again a 2.6m real replica glider, as with the ASW-28 also available as pure glider or electric. Much the same as the ASW the flight characteristics are pretty much matched apart from a much higher stall speed compared to the ASW. This to some is slightly offputting and while flying FPV could catch the user out and need some quick reactions. If camera positioning was behind the cockpit the camera would pick up the cockpit in its view which some might not wish. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but in my opinion its the better looking out of the two. Again additional strengthening of bottom and top of fuse is necessary especially when FPVing. As depth perseption through goggles issnt great harder than useuall landings are inevitable and splitting of the fuse is possible.

Salto H101



The Salto H101 Fibreglass Glider has a 2.68M V tail configuration. The Salto is a very capable glider and also suited to FPV flying,its canopy placement lends more flexability to camera positioning than the others. More room is available under the cockpit too again being of a good benifit. The V-Tail is a love or hate affair and one of the deciding factors for buyers. No particular gain or loss compare to others, just down to personal taste. Again, additional strengthening is advised with 8oz glass fibre cloth to stop seams from splitting.  

Supra Pro Carbon



Depending on how deep your wallet is and just how much performance you want from your glider you can opt for the Supra Pro Carbon. Not for the budget enthusiast. Its a good as it gets really. With its 3.4 meter wingspan this is a real big boy. Weighing in at a mear 1610 grams. This is the pinicle of FPV Glider airframes but costing a massive £1000 + not a practical or affordable solution.

[Rick]

Really handy thread Ian - thanks

I've been looking for what glider to get and have these on my list and I am desperate to get some advice!

I've been watching FPV-Leif on Vimeo - excellent videos by the way, he uses a EG and has a pusher motor mounted to it.

I like that idea because I want to combine FPV and aerial photography so the camera needs to have an unobstructed view on the plane - prop at the back means no prop in the way of the camera!  :)

On my list currently (and this is all new to me so I have been looking at all sorts not knowing what is good or bad) are

Price are approximate and it depends on  version/kit

Easy Glider - £100
JP SEAGULL 2200 ELECTRIC GLIDER 2.2MT  - £70
Twin Star 2 - ok  not a glider but hey! - £70
Parkzone Radian PNP 2 Metre Sailplane  - £115
CMP-066-DX VENTUS (GLIDER 2600mm) - £120
Multiplex Cularis - £140
FlyFly ASW-28 ARTF Glider - £140
FlyFly DG-1000 ARTF Glide - £125

I want one of each! 

I'm new to this - not to RC but to FPV so all advice welcome.  I need it to carry something like the GOPRO HD so will a bigger wing help carry the load?

[Coyote]

Hi Rick, yeah i didnt get round to updating the thread ill do it now ;)

The CMP-066-DX VENTUS is essentially exactly the same as the DG-100 and ASW-28 but with airbrakes and retractable landing wheel, for the price thats quite a good choice. Airbrakes on these type of airframe to aid landing are becoming more popular although some tend to say not necessary unless spot landing. Personally if they are in the kit id say better to be there and not use rather than not and need to :)

The parkzone Radian is also a very suitable airframe and is also popular with flyers. The added bonus with the Radian is being foam is easily repaired as apposed to GF birds and parts like wings are readily available where the others are harder to source.

[Coyote]

Dont want to put you off any choice but at you leasure type in ventus glider on youtube and just watch how many maiden + crash videos come up lol Quite a fair few compared to sucessfull maiden, slightly worrying :)

[Rick]

Wow - excellent Ian - thanks so much for these updates.  I'll have a look at youtube. 

Are the wings on the glass fibre bodies not foam?  I think I could very quickly trash a wing that's now foam!  :)  I need to look some more.

Can't wait to see your new bird up and flying.  Looks awesome.

[Coyote]

Cheers bud, all glass fibre gliders have balsa wings and are easily damaged ;)

[Rick]

yeah but they look sooooo pretty!  (well they do until they crash!!)  Maybe I'll stick to foam for now.   

[foamystuff]

Have you seen this!!!! http://www.stevewebb.co.uk/index.php?pid=E268XM&area=Aircraft Its a World Models Big Wing.. Its huge!!! 3 metre wing span and 7kg looks like a scaled up Wing Jet so should just be about able to carry the extra weight of the FPV gear  ;) .. But at £600 its a bit expensive, and would make an already expensive FPV aircraft even more expensive.. Its like that Megastar on the RCGroup forum, big floaty electric models. Might as well sit on 'em and go fly  ;D

[Coyote]

Lol look at the size of that ! pmsl

Its mental, but dear like you say, and the weight, makes an excellent soarer ???? At 15 lbs in weight i doubt it lol

I`d take the Megastar anyday :)

[Pasty]

I know this threads old but hey its all good info...

I went for the Parkfun Sonic 185 for my FPV glider... not the ready to run kit as the radio bits in that are pretty naff, I got the bare bones kit with motor, spinner and prop for a mere 60 nickers.



For the money I cant fault it, loads of oomph from the motor/prop combo on a 3s lipo to get your to height and then you have a real nice glide angle to keep you up there without burning amps... I'm sure she'll thermal, cant wait to give that a go in the spring.

some info on my fpv setup etc on my blog...

http://ascensionuk.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/to-the-clouds-ok-not-quite-yet/

Not to deflate anyone but I'd stay away form the cheap scale composite chinese gliders, they're not the best fliers, especially for FPV. They're fine in good slope lift but theyneed to be kept moving at quite a rate and will drop a wing on you for just looking at it squiffy.

[Coyote]

Great info there Steve the more the merrier matey

The Sonic does look great and money wise quite a deal. Yeah you really have to keep the composite models at speed especially the DG1000.

I like your FPV setup on your very slippery, ideal :)