The "E Javelin" from Soaring Composite

Having caught the 'fully moulded sailplane fever', I have sold off my other large balsa sailplane in order to own a fleet of fully moulded sailplanes.

There are differences in flying a fully moulded sailplane compared to balsa sailplane. The balsa kit are normally light and easy on thermal but it does not penetrate well when there is a slight heavy wind not unless if it has a heavy ballast on. In contrast a moulded sailplane penetrates well due to the design of the wings and also the agility of the aircraft. A moulded sailplane is also tough as it has carbon stirps or carbon cloth moulded in the wings and fuselage.

One day about two weeks ago, I decided to purchase the "E-Javelin" from Soaring Composites. Mr Pang, the owner have flown the slope version before. He told me that the slope version have been proven to be a graceful aircraft. Without any hestitation, I decided to purchase it ( as an early Christmas present to myself...hahaha ).

It was rather easy to build apart from the minor modifications. The original cockpit was very tight for my batteries and electronics to fit in. After several days of building time, the bird is ready to take the sky. Waiting for the weekend for it to have its maiden flight was agonizing as I was eager to find out how the aircraft would perform at different stages of the flight.

I went down to BBAFC site in the ofternoon. Mr Pang was there to assist me on the last minute check and settings. Although the weather was not very good and the sky was cloudy, I decided to test the aircraft in flight. Vincent ( a.k.a Sonyalpha ) was also there to capture still photographs of the sailplane in flight. As a standard practice, he blessed the sailplane and the pilot before the commencement of the maiden flight.

Upon the first burst of launching power, the E-Javelin went up gracefully. With a MVVS glider motor ( 690Kv ) with a 15/10 aeronaut propeller, the climb was moderate and consistent. Once it reches a desired height above the flying site, I cut the throttle and the aircraft started thermalling. After some trimmings, it flew perfectly.

After five minutes of flight time, I brought it down and did a full round check before going up again. Everything was fine for another flight.

On the second flight, Mr Pang himself launch the plane for me. I allowed it to climb several meters up before cutting the throttle. The procedure was to allow me to evaluate the full potential of the aircraft while thermalling. Although there was an absence of a good thermal, I managed to catch several thermal bubbles. The aircraft responded well on the thermal bubbles. It glided for around 10 minutes. I decided to try a highspeed low pass above the runaway. It perform a dive and "wooosshhh!!" came the sound from the " E-Javelin ". Mr Pang was impressed with the aircraft and said that he would get another one for himself.

Having succesfully flown the E-Javelin twice, I am looking forward to enjoy its capabilities during the coming weeks. This glider indeed value for money.

I'm back again...this time with a fully moulded sailplane called "Spirit"

Since my wife's successful operation four weeks ago, I had not been flying my gliders. I took a break from my usual flying to look after her. I am indeed very fortunate to have a wife who supports my hobby. I Hope I will be able to share the joy of flying a glider with her. It will be a moment to treasure.

I have resumed my flying activity. While on leave to look after my wife, I assembles and my first fully moulded sailplane called the Spirit. I purchase it online from Soaring USA as I could not get it from any of the local rc shop as none of them carries it. The model E-Typhoon from Soaring Composites is very much similar to it. Since I wanted a glider which is different from it, I called up Bob from Soaring USA and he introduce the Spirit V2. It has the X tail instead of the V tail. I placed the order, made the payment and waited for it to arrive. I was surprised that the kit arrived in five days from the US. It was a fast delivery which I did not expect.

Not wanting to make any mistake in building and assembling the aircraft, I spent three weeks on it. It was time well spent. When the aircraft was ready to take the sky, it was a beauty.

Spirit had its maiden flight on one hot afternoon last week. To my amazement, it flew perfectly without much trim. It is a thermal sensitive sailplane. With one burst of power for launch, I have detected several thermals over the sites. It remained aloft without power for forty-five minutes before I landed it for inspection so that I cold perform some aerobatics with it during the next flight.

After a thorough inspection, Spirit took to the sky again to perform the usual aerobatics which I had practised with my Eagle 5 and the Siren. It performed steep dives, hard G turns, rolls, and some highspeed low passes. I tried doing a tips stall turn but it was rather difficult for it to tip stall on a normal flight. It will perform a tip stall if it get too slow but it was not that severed compared to my Eagle 5 which I bought from Soaring Composites.

Spirit is indeed a beauty to soar with and it is worth the money, time and efforts I put in.

When Spirit saw me assembling the E-Javelin, it was a little disheartened. However, I assure it that it will still received the same affection as before as it is my first fully moulded 'full house' sailplane.