The following is provided as a suggested plane list for our newer members.  There may be others that are suitable but these are defiantly good for our field.  The links are provided for your reference, not to direct you to buy from any particular source.  In fact, whenever possible we recommend that you purchase your planes from the local hobby shops. They can provide personal service and help with your new plane.

Since LISF is primarily a glider club, we encourage our new members who are learning to fly to start with gliders as training planes.   Gliders fly slowly, are stable and easy to fly.  As such they make excellent trainers.  A glider and a hi-start is an excellent combination that is low cost and well suited to our field.  

Or you can start with an electric glider, such as the Easy Glider Electric or the Radian.  The cost is higher due to the need for motor batteries, chargers and the motor.  However these are good choices as well.

Either way, LISF members will be happy to help you learn to fly and to discover the fun, the thrill and the relaxation of thermal soaring. All gliders and sailplanes are welcome at our field as long as they are flown in a manner consistent with thermal duration soaring. 

GLIDERS

Any kind of glider is acceptable at our field.  The following are planes that would be especially good for new pilots, though any of them will give you years of soaring pleasure.  While they make good beginner planes, don’t think of them as inferior planes.  They simply give the new pilot the best chance of success in the shortest period of time.

The Easy Glider

This is the most popular among our new glider pilots.  It flies well, soars well and is easy to handle.  The foam construction is hard to break and easy to fix.  The Easy Glider is available as an ARF or as a receiver-ready package.  You will need a 4 channel radio system. Good for Hi-start or winch launching

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=MPU214205

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMYK9&P=7

Goldberg Gentle Lady

This is a classic rudder/elevator wood plane that flies well, soars well and is easy to handle. The Gentle Lady can be found as a kit or and ARF.  A low cost two or three-channel radio. Good for Hi-start or winch launching.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDJC3&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXELP0&P=7

Great Planes Spirit

This is a classic wood plane that flies well, soars well and is easy to handle. The Spirit can found as a kit, an ARF.  The Spirit can be flown with just rudder/elevator controls or you can add the included spoilers.  A low cost three-channel radio. Good for Hi-start or winch launching

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMK19&P=7

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ596&P=7

Tower Hobbies Vista

Two-meter R/E glider that will get you started in soaring.  Goodfor Hi-start or winch launching

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLGM5&P=ML

Hi-Starts

The hi-start is the simplest and lowest cost way to launch these gliders.   They are easy to use, silent in operation and simple to deploy and to store.  The club also has winches for launching gliders but you will probably want one of these for flying when there is no winch at the field.

Dynaflite HD – Budget hi-start choice

Good for planes up to about 100” wing span

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXE636&P=7

Pinnacle Standard – Better Choice

Will launch planes up to about 120” wing span

http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=875

HAND LAUNCHED GLIDERS

A growing number of our members are enjoying hand-launched gliders.  With nothing more than the swing of your arm these planes can be launched 60 to 120 feet in the air and are excellent for hunting for thermals.  There is no need for expensive motor batteries or charger, hi-starts or winches.  A quick toss and you are flying!

Listed here are a few lower cost examples that may be attractive to new club members and pilots in training.  As with all of the planes here, if you are a new pilot you will want to spend time with our club instructors and senior pilots to lean how best to launch and fly these planes.

Quick Flick 2 – Kit

http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28&products_id=205

Mountain Models DL50 -

http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_28&products_id=212

The Gambler+  Kit

http://www.wrightbrothersrc.com/products/gambler.htm
http://www.rcgroups.com/4506
Review
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=583972

Swyft - kit - smaller than the ones above, This one breaks down for easy transport

http://www.liftworx.com/swyft/
http://www.liftworx.com/videoclips/swyftflight.html

NSP Calysto $139 - ARF
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=2955

MiSAL - RTF This comes all built including all electronics on your
channel of choice. You add the radio and go! They also sell radios to
go with it if you like
http://www.edgerc.com/MiSAL%20DLG.htm

ELECTRIC GLIDERS

By design, electric gliders give you the convenience of being self-launching while having stable flight and good thermal soaring characteristics.   Many of our members have electric gliders.  Please refer to the new member packet for guidance on the maximum battery pack voltage permitted in electric gliders.   Most of the ones listed here come with a brushed motor.  Many members like to upgrade these to the more efficient brushless motors for longer run times and better climb to soaring height.

Note that you can use a range of battery types in these planes.  NiMh and Lipos would be the batteries of choice over NiCd due to their higher capacity at the same weight.  Speak to other club members about the battery packs that seem to work best.

Easy Glider Electric

This is the most popular e-glider among our new glider pilots. The foam construction is hard to break and easy to fix.  It is available as an ARF or as a receiver-ready package.  You will need a 4-channel radio system, a 7-8 cell motor battery and a battery charger.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKHS8&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMYL0&P=ML

Parkzone Radian - RTF $250
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ4700
http://www.parkzone.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=pkz_radian
Discussion
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39486&goto=newpost
Video
http://www.parkzone.com/ProdInfo/Files/PKZ4700_hi.wmv

EP Aspire

The Aspire is wood plane that is an RTF package.  It includes everything that is needed to get into the air.  Note that it will fly on the included 6-cell battery but most pilots prefer to upgrade to 7 or 8 cell NiMh  packs or 2-3 cell lipo packs.

http://www.hangar-9.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN1950

Ascent – Park Glider

This is an electric glider that is smaller than the others, so it is sometimes called a park glider.  This is a built up wood wing plane with the popular pod and boom design.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL1075

Easy Star – Park Glider

Like the Ascent, this is sort of a cross over between a parkflyer and a glider as it does well as either or both.  It is made of elapor form, the same as the Easy Glider, which makes it hard to break and easy to fix.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdId=MPU214192

GLIDER LIKE ELECTRIC PLANES

The club has received permission to fly small electric planes that are not specifically designated as gliders/sailplanes but which have glider like flight characteristics, slow to moderate flying speed and which will be flown in a glider like manner. 

LISF views these electric planes as alternates to gliders as starter or trainer planes that enable new members to quickly learn to fly in preparation for learning thermal soaring.  The planes on the list are all planes that we feel are appropriate to our field, our style of flying.   If you already have a plane that is listed here, you are all set.

All the planes listed are high wing or top wing planes with light wing loading that can be hand launched, as we have no runways.   These designs provides great stability while allowing you to get long flights at partial throttle which makes them easier for new pilots to manage.  When you are ready, they should thermal well too, though not as well as a glider.  If you get an ARF or a kit, we recommend the electronic speed control have a brake feature. This stops the prop from spinning for an even better glide.

The list is provided as a suggested list of planes that are typical of what is acceptable at our field. Planes that are not on the list that have a high wing design and wingspans of no more than 60 inches, can be submitted for qualification.   Typically planes will need to have wing loading of less than 10 oz/sq. ft in order to pass the glide test, however fuselage design, propeller type, landing gear and other characteristics will have a significant effect.

High speed planes or planes specifically designed for aerobatics will not be approved.  These include pylon racers, pattern planes and warbirds.   

Aerobatics are not considered compatible with the glider nature of the club.  While an occasional loop or roll is OK, when performed well above the tree line, and well away from the flight line, this should be the exception and not the primary mode of flying. 

Pilots who wish to pursue aerobatic or high speed flying as a primary interest are encouraged to join one of the many clubs in the area that teach and encourage this type of flying.  Many LISF members are also members of other clubs.  If you need information about the clubs in the area, just ask.  We will be happy to help you.

Electric Plane Power Restrictions

Less than 36 inches wing span – motor pack not to exceed 8.4 V nominal

(7 NiMh or NiCd Cells or 2 Lithium cells)

36 to 60 inches wing span - motor packs not to exceed 11.1 volts nominal

(9 NiMh or NiCd Cells or 3 Lithium cells)

READY TO FLY PLANES

EASY STAR

This is LISF’s #1 recommendation.

This plane is easy to fly as an airplane or a glider.  It is hard to break and easy to fix.

It is available as an RTF, ARF or RR, receiver ready package.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFXV0&P=ML

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMYK8&P=ML

HobbyZone Firebird series and Aerobird Series

The three models are a better choice

http://www.hobbyzonesports.com

Hobbico Sky Fly
http://www.flyzoneplanes.com/airplanes/hcaa1961-index.html

HobbyZone Super Cub

http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ7100

Wing Dragon
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/wingdragon4.htm

Parkzone J3 Cub

http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ1100

KITS and ARFS

Magpie

http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?i

SmoothE

http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_29_76&products_id=223

Push-E-Cat
http://polecataero.com/products/push-e-cat"

Frog - Foam kit

http://www.foamfly.com/product.php?productid=18167&cat=11&page=1

Dandy - $42
http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_29_76&products_id=229

GWS E-Starter

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/estarter.htm

SR Batteries Cutie

http://www.srbatteries.com/cutie.htm

Miss Stick

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/miss-stik.htm

GWS Beaver

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/dhc2.htm

L-19 Bird Dog

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DUM1804

Mountain Models J3 Cub

http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_29_74&products_id=472

Mini Telemaster

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/telemaster-mini.htm

Wingo

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hlwingo.htm

Tutor Trainer

http://www.electrifly.com/parkflyers/gpma0002.html

Slow Flyers

These planes are welcome at our field however due to their very light wing loading and very slow flight they tend to be more difficult to fly in breezes over 5 mph.  However they are great trainers and most can also be flown indoors.

Parkzone Slo-V  - RTF

http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ1300

Slow stick

Similar to the Slo-V above in its character and its value – available as a kit
http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/slow%20stick.htm

GWS Pico Tiger Moth

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/tm.htm

GWS Pico Stick

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/stick-s.htm

GWS P- J3-S

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/j3-s.htm

GWS P-J3-F

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/airfly/j3-f.htm

T-IFO
http://www.flyifo.com/htmlpages/tifo.html

Great Planes BLT – Basic Light Trainer

http://www.electrifly.com/parkflyers/gpma0001.html

Dusk Stick
http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_29_76&products_id=222

Field qualification flight test for non-glider electric powered planes

If you are looking at a plane that is not on the list, it is highly recommended that you consult with the board before buying.  The standard approval process as outlined in the new member packet, will be applied as will a review by the board. 

The goal is not to make it hard for you to buy new planes but to help make it easier for you to understand the types of planes that work well at our field.  We would not want you to buy a plane only to find it can’t be flown at Stillwell.

Revised  February 2008