E-Flite Radian XL Maiden

[xviper]

I dug into my parts bin and found these:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32819__Turnigy_GliderDrive_SK3_Competition_Series_3858_4_6_1120kv.html

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__28369__HobbyKing_YEP_60A_2_6S_SBEC_Brushless_Speed_Controller.html?strSearch=yep%2060

http://www.espritmodel.com/aeronaut-3blade-spinners-for-folding-propellers.aspx

I've ordered a set of 12X5 folding blades for it. For now, I'll fly it with the stock prop. I'll be running a 2200mah, 4s Admiral. Will give it a go in a couple of days.

Of the 4 XLs we bought, 2 have been flown several times, the 3rd maidened today - owner loves it. The 4th will maiden tomorrow.

[CZ Flyer]

Sweeet! Did you get the recommended 3200 lipo? Eflite? Kinexis? or other brand?

[Flygirl]

No, I haven't achieved that level of "cool" just yet. Working on it. :(
Besides, I usually throw my buddy's glider first before I do mine. He's got bum knees, bum back, bum shoulders and on his second hip. If he sneezes, he's done for the day.

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

[xviper]

BTW, did you launch out of the lawn chair?? ;)

No, I haven't achieved that level of "cool" just yet. Working on it. :(
Besides, I usually throw my buddy's glider first before I do mine. He's got bum knees, bum back, bum shoulders and on his second hip. If he sneezes, he's done for the day.

[Flygirl]

BTW, did you launch out of the lawn chair?? ;)

[xviper]

Haha!!!!! No bum knees or anything?

By the way, my flying buddy has decided he also wants to go to 4s.... He thought it was way way under powered compared to the regular one. He was disappointed...

He's a young, strapping commercial airline pilot, so no. The ravages of age hasn't gotten him yet.
So far, the 2 of us who have flown the XL aren't quite disappointed but we both admit that it needs just a little more. My BoT is on 4 cells and is the fastest, then comes the Mystique on 3s but it swings a fairly large prop with a very torquey motor. My regular Radian is also very fast on 3s, modified with bigger, higher kv motor and a 3-blade folding prop. Flying in our winds sometimes can be a bit of a butt clencher when trying to fly it back to the landing strip.

[Flygirl]

Another flying buddy was at the field. He wasn't going to fly sailplanes but after seeing ours, I think he's in. He's a bit on the young side, but we'll make an exception.

Haha!!!!! No bum knees or anything?

By the way, my flying buddy has decided he also wants to go to 4s.... He thought it was way way under powered compared to the regular one. He was disappointed...

[xviper]

Just came back from doing the maidens with 2 of these XLs. I used clear hockey tape on the top seam to hold the winglets on and did the glue stick trick on the horizontal stab (both as per Mystique RES). Even with some abrupt maneuvers, they didn't budge. Doing it this way eliminates a bunch of screws and the likelihood of losing some. Makes assembly and tear down much easier and faster. Flew with 2200mah, 3s forward and 3300mah, 3s all the way back. No difference except for more power ups but this thing floats so well, there is less need for powered ascents.
This plane is heavy for a foamie and needs good throttle to launch. We started flying in 10mph winds but by the 3rd flight, winds got over 20mph. In those conditions, it needs more power to fly against the wind. I'm converting to 4 cell when I get the time.
The XL (IMO) floats better than the original Radian and is a better sailplane, not quite as good as my Mystique RES, but close. It flies inverted quite well and does loops with ease. The spoilers work extremely well, very effective and with no drama. Lands beautifully with varying use of spoilers. She's a keeper.
Another flying buddy was at the field. He wasn't going to fly sailplanes but after seeing ours, I think he's in. He's a bit on the young side, but we'll make an exception.

Watch in "full screen".

[xviper]

I've seen the battery slide back and forward with just the strap especially on planes with a plastic tray under the battery. I'm not sure how the radian battery bay is but it might be worth testing to see if it could possibly slide without the Velcro.

I think it can slide but most of my batteries have the opposing velcro on them anyway. The stock strap has a velcro strip in the middle on the tray.

[farmflyer]

I've seen the battery slide back and forward with just the strap especially on planes with a plastic tray under the battery. I'm not sure how the radian battery bay is but it might be worth testing to see if it could possibly slide without the Velcro.

[xviper]

Is that what it is FF? What's the fuzzy pad Vipe? If anyone needs some, we've got them whatever they are! ;)

I believe the fuzzy pad is the opposing velcro that can be stuck on the battery. It'll stick to the small strip that's under the battery strap. Seems kind of redundant to me. If this was the "regular" Radian, then I'd agree that they can be used to hold the horizontal stab in place. Maybe they're hold overs from that and the factory just assumed we'd need them.

[Flygirl]

Hey, I've been at it for the same bunch of years and not even close.

A matter of opinion my friend! :)

[xviper]

It only took me 66 years to be cool! LOL! Thanks Vipe! :)

Hey, I've been at it for the same bunch of years and not even close.

[Flygirl]

They look like what the tape comes on to secure the horizontal stab to the fuse. The parkzone and some eflit planes use it.

Is that what it is FF? What's the fuzzy pad Vipe? If anyone needs some, we've got them whatever they are! ;)

[xviper]

The XL's horizontal stab is a flying stab. It has 2 CF rods running through them, with screws holding each side to the rods. As far as I can tell, those pads are sticky on one side. The manual doesn't say anything about them.

[Flygirl]

I don't think any of us old geezers would look nearly as cool as Lauren. I can just see us calling up the chiropractor afterwards.

It only took me 66 years to be cool! LOL! Thanks Vipe! :)

[Flygirl]

I want to see photos of anyone, everyone with a glider, hand launching from a lawn chair!!! Seriously, this would be SO COOL!!!Doc

I'm game! Or is it gamey.... I forget. LOL!

[farmflyer]

Roflmao 😂 thanks

[Flygirl]

Well I'm out of the club. I haven't signed up for AARP don't have a hip replacement or a cane or walker. I have had a knee worked on but that's it.

That counts!! ;)

[farmflyer]

They look like what the tape comes on to secure the horizontal stab to the fuse. The parkzone and some eflit planes use it.