Windrider EasyGlider


Building Level
Flying Level

 
Review 14-Mar-2005

Rene Wallage

 Video Available  
Motor

N/A

 Servos

Any servo can be used, even standard sized ones.  I used two GWS NARO PRO STD servos (because that’s what I had on hand) for the rudder and elevator.  When I added ailerons I used another two HS55’s
Speed Controller

N/A

 Batteries

4 cell generic Rx pack
Channels

Initially 2 (rudder elevator), later I added ailerons using a GWS PICO R6 Rx and Futaba T6XAs Tx

 Flight Time

On the slope, as long as your bladder allows you to fly.  Not very good as thermal hunter.
Propeller

N/A

 Gear Box

N/A

 

Wingspan 54.5 "
139 cm		 Length 33 "
84 cm		 Empty weight oz
gr		 All Up weight 11 oz
310 gr
Wing Area 2.15 sq.ft
20 dm²		 Wing load 5.11 oz/sq.ft
15.5 gr/dm²		 CG location
from wing edge

Recommended 95mm from the nose.  After some slope experience I moved the battery 2.5cm (one inch) back

.

Building

Fuse came ready glued with all innards in place. Goes together very quickly, and simply.  Instructions are very clear (all pictures).   Just drop in two servos and connect.

Unfortunately, in my sample a few minor glitches arose:

1.    The pre-hinged elevator and rudder where hinged too close to the TE of the stabs, preventing full movement.  No problem, I just removed the hinge tape, and re-hinged the surfaces.

2.    The bottom of the rudder pushed against the fuse, preventing free movement.  A little touch of sanding paper and the rudder was free.

3.   Most serious was that the elevator stab was not lined up properly.  This became clear when doing some glide tests.  The Easy pitched up, stalled, and crashed, no matter how much Tx input and trim was given.  Some foam was cut away from the fuse and the stab was fine.

All together maybe 30 minutes extra work.

Because I did not use standard sized servos, I had to make some adjustment in the cockpit: I had to glue in two pieces of light-ply to screw in the servos.  And because I use lighter servos, I carved out some foam in the nose to push the battery further forward, to keep the CG in place.  Another 20 minutes work.

To prevent slop in the control rods I put a small bead of epoxy in the slit where the pushrods exit into the cockpit, and in the tail where the rods come out of the fuse.

Seeing as this glider is meant for the absolute beginner, that was a bit of a disappointment.  Although anyone with half a brain would not go for his/her first flight without some kind of experienced help.  At first throw all the above would come to light, and can be fixed in the field.

Ailerons where added, since we plan to do some aero tow experiments behind the Multiplex Magister.
Take-off

Toss gently straight towards the horizon.
Flight behavior

A sweet little glider.  Very gentle and predictable.  Stalls are a non-event, when she finally did stall, one wing would gently dip slowly away, giving the pilot ample warning and time to recover.  Flying on rudder only, the turns are slow without much speed and altitude loss.  With the added ailerons she can yank and bank like a pro!
Landing

Slows down to less then walking speed. If there is no turbulence she will settle down real gentle.  With turbulence, rudder alone will not keep her straight for a soft landing and ailerons are needed.
Crash Results

It’s foam.  What can happen?
Repairing

Epoxy and very easy
Other comments

Definitely a keeper
Interesting Links

The manufacturer: www.windrider.com.hk

The main two threads on RCGroups

Some happy fliers:

And my building pages:

 
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Latest Update: Tuesday, 02 August 2005