Thoughts on the Radian, vs the Bixler?

glydr

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Just let me finish this one,

charlesriverrc.org/articles/allegrolite2m/markdrela_allegrolite2m.htm

Have wing kit and an awesome CF moulded pod.
 

glydr

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Hey SteveO, more than welcome. Or when the Easterlies come up we can meet at Lake George.
 

lobstermash

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A thermal glider will slope soar, but not necessarily the other way around... A Bixler or AXN will do both jobs fine! Before I sold it, then had it returned, then fixed and loaded it up with glue and filler and FPV gear, I used my Bixler for thermal gliding and it did a respectable job.
 

SteveOBHave

Senior Member
Ah, good to know - I was wondering if the AXN would thermal. Might have to wait till it's a little warmer though - Canberra is too much like the UK during winter. Brrr...
 

lobstermash

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Woohoo, managed to get two batteries through the Me109 before dark. Almost enticed a magpie to dogfight too, but he chickened out.
 

SteveOBHave

Senior Member
Woohoo, managed to get two batteries through the Me109 before dark. Almost enticed a magpie to dogfight too, but he chickened out.

Yeah the magpies are funny - they get their chase on but if you throttle up and get a bit frisky then they bail pretty quickly. My only fear is that one of them is going to get in a prop. I've had a couple of galahs chase me all over a sports park even though they weren't getting remotely close. Just that time of the year I guess.
 

lobstermash

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Birds are very good at not being hit by props. The magpies here tend to go for the tail rather than the front end of the plane too. I try to make sure I don't hit them, but it sure is fun to get them off your 6...
 

IamNabil

Senior Member
Where you live sounds like RC soarer's heaven! A calm breeze up from the lake will keep the Radian up all day. The eHawk is a fine soarer, but in light lift (like from a gentle slope) a Radian will climb without power while the eHawk will need to open throttle to keep height.
That really surprises me. I guess I thought the ehawk would be a better soarer than the radian. Not nessiccarily the radian pro, but the standard radian.
 

glydr

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RC soaring is like golf - you'd have a hard time playing well if you only packed one or two clubs.

Different gliders excel in different conditions. The Radian (normal) is by far the best powered 'light air' glider I've ever flown. It is very light for it's wingspan and so can 'stay up' in incredibly light lift and responds very visibly to thermals. It's not just me who loves it, have a look what Paul Naton says here: http://glidefast.typepad.com/glidefast/2011/10/my-parkzone-radian-modifications-and-set-ups.html

As soon as the wind picks up the Radian is no longer so useful. It will get blown downwind and have a hard time penetrating back upwind. That's when you pull out a different club, like the eHawk which is slightly more zippy and can cope with gusts with the ailerons.

Some glider pilots will have at least 3-5 gliders for different conditions - and that's before you count the slope soarers! IMHO the heavier winds require specialist slopeys (the Beevo from Windrider is excellent value, but you should also look at a NCFM Moth as the postage would be kinder to you over there). In light winds a light air glider is great fun on the slope. I remember once standing on a hill with a lightly build Dreamflight Alula- could hardly feel any breeze on my face but the Alula happily darted up and down the slope climbing with each pass. The Radian would also excel in that situation, but the eHawk, the Bixler and I think even the HK 'Canary' would have struggled without power.

So they are both good - just depends what the air is doing.

PS - Reports are the Radian Pro isn't worth it - just go the standard Radian.
 

IamNabil

Senior Member
As soon as the wind picks up the Radian is no longer so useful. It will get blown downwind and have a hard time penetrating back upwind. That's when you pull out a different club, like the eHawk which is slightly more zippy and can cope with gusts with the ailerons.

How is the Bix or AXN in the wind?
 

lobstermash

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I still can't get over my son's reaction when he saw an easyglider the first time... With the grey-ish foam and covered in dimples. 'I do NOT want you to get that plane, dad' said he. 'I'm just looking at it, mate' said I. 'I want you to get that one (referring to the eHawk), dad. I can't believe you are even looking at that.' He said every word very deliberately, a frown on his face. Looked very funny on a 6 year old. The store owner found his reaction very funny too.

Back on topic, the Bixler is rock solid in the wind, as is the AXN. The AXN is better, because it's a less draggy design, but the chord is larger on the Bixler making it more stable.
 

IamNabil

Senior Member
So, this thread is four pages long, and although everyone has made really good points, I feel like I am no closer to deciding. Maybe I should setup a poll or something. :D