March, 2011.
Etienne Dorig, owner and operator of Icare/Icarus Sailplanes located in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada recently returned from a business trip to the Czech Republic. Speaking with Etienne the day after he landed back home, it was obvious he was excited about a range of new airframes coming to the sailplane community. Eager to learn about all the new and exciting models, I grabbed a notebook and started asking questions.
Here’s what I learned:
LET
Big News, LET MODELS is finishing up the molds for a 6.6-meter ASH31; this plane has the DP airfoil and will be useful in the GPS racing field as well as an all around great performer. The ASH31 is the sister ship to the very popular ASH26. Let produces an excellent ASH26 that spans 6 meter. First production models are expected within a month.
H MODELS
Stopping by Radim Horky’s H MODELS, The news of a new 8-meter Arcus has been released. The plane is expected to debut, in 2012.
One of the wonderful things about traveling to these locations in person is you can visit the little mom and pop model makes who don’t have the big flashy websites. These usually come to light by recommendations of the big model builders. This was such the case with two small shops. Not wanting to release the names of the shops, which certainly makes sense in today’s highly competitive market, Etienne did tell me all about some new planes he will be importing in the next few months.
A 6m Salto, Fiberglass fuse, Foam/wood covered wing, spoilers etc. Also with tip extinctions bringing it to 6.9m this plane will be limited production, with a few option available including carbon reinforced wing and fuse.
From the same manufacturer, a very nice 4-meter Pilatus Porter Tow plane, 150cc size. This all wood fuse and foam/wood wing is sure to be a workhorse. It was not determined yet if the plane will be covered or not. There will be 2 different cowls available. One will be the normal aspirated engine cowl or you may choose the turbo prop cowl.
Another manufacturer is offering a 4.2-meter Blanik. Etienne has secured a production run of these planes with a Silver finish to replicate the widely seen full-scale ships. Previous to this they were only available in a white finish.
Also just announced, Etienne has confirmed he is expecting a few 4.6 and 5.5-meter all molded Swifts. Some will have reinforcements for a turbine. The order process for these planes started a year and a half ago.
Not completely new, but certainly worth mentioning is the addition of four new ARF sailplanes.
3.2 meter ASK 13
3.4 meter Minimoa
3.6 meter Kranich
3.0 meter ASK23
I have seen some of these planes, they are very well made and a bargain for the price.
Always trying to lead the market, Etienne stopped by to visit with Baudis Models. Bringing along a Graupner Up and Go 2, they determined it would fit in the Antares, so expect that to show up as an option soon.
There were a few other models coming down the line, but he didn’t want to let the cat out of the bag yet, but he did promise he would announce it here on rcAerotowing.com when the time comes. Stay tuned.
