FMS L-13 Glider

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  • xephyr
    Member

    • Apr 2015
    • 4
    • Send PM
    #1

    FMS L-13 Glider

    Kind of surprised I see so little talk about this glider - not just here, but generally speaking. For an advanced beginner who is turned on by powered gliders (like myself) it has a definite attraction. I've read much about it (pros, cons, mods, etc.) and am intrigued enough to be put it on my wish list. I love it's lines and can picture it flying over the corn fields by my home. :-)
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    • doctormike
      HobbySquawk Moderator

      • Oct 2013
      • 1260
      • Santa Fe NM
      • Send PM
      #2
      RE: FMS L-13 Glider

      Hi, zephyr.. welcome to Hobby Squawk! I won the LET-13 in the social media contest. After much work making it look more like the full scale planes and balancing it at the suggested CG, I found (painfully) that it is extremely tail heavy. It requires almost 40 g in the nose to balance it properly. I haven't had a chance to try it again after all the repairs. I understand it is not much of a thermal glider, but fairly good as a sloper. I would suggest starting with a Radian. I have two, and am very happy with them. They will thermal forever. If you do buy a Radian.. remember to not use full throttle on takeoff and be prepaired to use a little down elevator under power. Once you get it trimmed it is wonderful! The Doctor

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        • xephyr
          Member

          • Apr 2015
          • 4
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          #3
          RE: FMS L-13 Glider

          Hi Doc and thanks for your reply! Sorry to hear about your experience.. Sounds like the L-13 could benefit from some "tweaking". Maybe a 3S battery (along with a 30A ESC) would go a ways toward providing the additional weight (and boosting performance) ? - depending on how far forward the battery can be located. Just musing here of course.. I'm flying a mini-radian now and understand it handles much like it's larger sibling. I even had to dive out of the thermal a couple weeks ago because I was losing sight of it. As great as the big radian is though, I'm interested in something a bit different. So many possibilities... ;-)

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            • doctormike
              HobbySquawk Moderator

              • Oct 2013
              • 1260
              • Santa Fe NM
              • Send PM
              #4
              RE: FMS L-13 Glider

              I just flew my LET- 13 after adding weight and a 3s battery. It flies great and is aerobatic. It doesn't, however, have much of a glide ratio. Definately a sloaper. I think it would ride a strong thermal. The Doctor

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                • doctormike
                  HobbySquawk Moderator

                  • Oct 2013
                  • 1260
                  • Santa Fe NM
                  • Send PM
                  #5
                  RE: FMS L-13 Glider

                  Well.. after balancing for a 3s 1300 I put a 2s in it. Big mistake!!! I just finished putting it back together. It flyes great on a 3s. Doc

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                    • xephyr
                      Member

                      • Apr 2015
                      • 4
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                      #6
                      RE: FMS L-13 Glider

                      Sorry to hear it! Must be that threw the CG off eh?

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                        • doctormike
                          HobbySquawk Moderator

                          • Oct 2013
                          • 1260
                          • Santa Fe NM
                          • Send PM
                          #7
                          RE: FMS L-13 Glider

                          xephyr...  Have you found your dream glider yet? I think I might have. I bought a Bird Of Time ARF glider. It has a 10 ft wing span and the wings separate into 3 sections. I'm going to motorize it. Doc

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                            • Flygirl
                              Member

                              • Sep 2014
                              • 969
                              • Glen Burnie, Maryland USA
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                              #8
                              RE: FMS L-13 Glider

                              Those are great gliders Doc....
                              Lauren

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                                • xephyr
                                  Member

                                  • Apr 2015
                                  • 4
                                  • Send PM
                                  #9
                                  RE: FMS L-13 Glider

                                  No dream glider here yet Doc, but I was out flying my AXN earlier this evening - near perfect weather for it! (for a change). I'm still very interested in the LET-13. The Bird of Time sounds pretty sweet... 10 feet WOW!!!

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