LET’S GET STARTED
As a point of full disclosure, I am not now, nor have I ever been paid to represent either Hobby Lobby or Multiplex. As just another modeler looking for an enjoyable R/C plane to fly, I have always liked the Telemaster design in all of its iterations, and the Easy Glider Pro is an inexpensive and readily available 2 meter size sailplane designed for aero-towing.
The Hobby Lobby Telemaster 40 and the Multiplex Easy Glider Pro are a perfect combination. The Telemaster 40 is the perfect tow plane for the Easy Glider Pro, and the Easy Glider Pro is a perfect sailplane for the Telemaster 40 to tow. Just as the name suggests, the Easy Glider is truly easy to fly and they make you look like a Pro!
If you think you want to try aero towing, I would strongly recommend the Multiplex Easy Glider Pro as your first sailplane. The receiver ready version leaves little work for the end user to do prior to being ready for flight. In the rare occasion that something gets broken, spare parts are readily available from Multiplex, but usually a quick repair with regular CA and accelerator will have the Easy Glider Pro back in the air in minutes. We have also found that clear package tape is a quick and easy way to reinforce and/or repair areas on the plane without adding much weight.
As the number of local participants in our aero towing group expanded, we started to assemble the Easy Glider Pro’s at the field and fly them the same day! The wing tips can be painted with Rustoleum Spray Paint by “dusting” on several thin coats prior to adding the supplied decals. We like the fluorescent colors and have local examples of yellow, orange, green, and pink. The colors help with differentiation when we are flying multiple planes at the same time.
As for tow planes, my preference is the Telemaster 40, (as of the Toledo Expo 2011) Hobby Lobby now has 6 Foot Telemaster Electro ARF V2 in stock and lists the Telemater 40 kit as being available ”Spring 2011.” We have experimented with other planes as tow planes including a DuraPlane and a Sig Four Star 40 (both of which had .40 size 2-stroke glow engines). Neither had a release mechanism installed, and the towline was just anchored to the fuselage near the trailing edge of the wing. Both worked acceptably with the Easy Glider Pro in tow.
There are many 40-size, flat bottom wing trainer planes available and I am sure that many can be found among the membership of most R/C Clubs. Any one of these could be pressed into service as a tow plane for the Easy Glider. Adding a tow release to the tow plane is highly advised just in case things don’t go as planned. It adds one more margin of safety to the endeavor.
Well…it is now up to you! Are you going to just sit there dreaming about trying this or are you going to get up and take action?
Now let’s move on the 2nd step and get that tow plane ready!
