Top 5 Best RC Glider Reviews 2017 and Buying Guide

Looking for the best RC Glider?

Sit back and relax. You’ve have come to the right place. I’ve searched and compiled a list of 5 best gliders on the market this year. Plus I’ll equip with some useful info on RC gliders- for those looking to enter into this field as a hobby or profession.

My reviews will be based on the based on performance, durability, maintenance, while considering the ease of flying the glider.

But first, let's understand what an RC glider is, what it can do, and why it has become famous among the people who dream of piloting a real plane.

What is an RC Glider?

An RC glider, also referred to as a sailplane, is a radio-controlled airplane that relies on the thermals and slopes controlled by a radio transmitter to fly high in the air.

For those who didn’t know, the word glider refers to an unpowered airplane.

A typical glider is designed from materials like wood, polymer foams, plastic, composites, etc. It’s also good to note that the sailplanes exist in different models, based on their intended use. For instance, different models bear different wing loads- from incredibly light to relatively heavy, and so on.

The glider introduces the beginners into the basics of radio control flying.

For the experienced RC pilots, it offers you a breathtaking aerobatic and racing experiences.

Our 5 Best RC Glider Picks:

1. Flyzone Calypso Brushless Glider Ready to Fly Review:

Flyzone Calypso brushless is the ideal craft for beginners as well as experienced hobbyists who want to have a mind-blowing flying performance.

The glider comes completely pre-installed and ready to soar. This helps get rid of the tiresome, time consuming and sometimes expensive process of buying and installing additional parts of the glider.

The assembly is incredibly easy. You don’t require any glue which would not only cost you a lot of time but also some expert touch. A Phillips screwdriver to prepare your glider for a ride.

Because you can easily detach and reassemble the wings, it becomes real easy to transport the glider, to any place! When it comes to the tail, it attaches and aligns by simply tightening one screw.

Featuring top-notch technology and design, the Calypso’s wheel and skid plates allow for both grass and runway landings. Absolutely, this offers you more options on the areas you can fly glider- you can just fly it everywhere you wish.

The large onboard compartment comes with a magnetic hatch that accepts a variety of batteries giving you the freedom to choose the type of batteries you prefer.

The bright, high-contrasted trim scheme makes it easy for you to trace your RC glider at high attitudes. If you’ve ever lost visual of your glider while soaring high in the sky, you know how important this particular feature means to you. It will help you maintain total control of your craft; no matter the distance.

The glider features an impressive, factory installed 28-30-1300kV brushless out-runner motor for enhanced performance. A sure way to promote your optimal sailplane experience. For the ultimate control, the glider features a tactic TTX410 4-channel 2.4GHz SLT radio with wireless trainer features, digital trims, servo reversing and more to aid your control and offer swift controls.

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2. Dromida Twin Explorer Twin Motor Radio Controlled Electric Powered Glider Review:

Dromida twin explorer is a glider that has been designed with impressive curves and attention to detail. It makes the perfect pick for beginners, with added excitement and adventure of dual motors which enhances its overall performance.

The twin motors make this plane easy to maneuver than the similar-sized single-motor gliders making this one of the best RC gliders to-date.

The aircraft comes fitted with a removable 1S Lithium Polymer battery, which ensures a quick battery charge. Crash-tough foam construction provides ideal protection (or extreme durability, if you like it) and improved landings. The glider is virtually indestructible capable of withstanding heavy crashes.

A wingspan of 18.9” makes it easy to transport to your flying zone. Since it comes fully assembled, all you need is to go out there and fly the moment you receive the product. Launching a glider just become fun!

A simple hand launch is all it takes to get this twin Explorer airborne. Isn’t this a fun way of reducing the stress of running with a glider trying to launch it?

The glider has a lightweight design, at around 1.9 pounds, easing transportation. What’s more, it has such a compact design- the exact dimensions are 16.1* 17.6 * 3.8- so it fits in a small package box compared to other models on the market.

The turns and maneuvering are made easier by the twin motors.

Overall, this is an impressive offer, given its great, unique features at an affordable price tag. Everyone, young and old, beginners and experts, who wish to begin gliding can bet on the never-disappointing Dromida Twin Explorer.

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3. Dromida Sky Cruiser 2 Ready-To-Fly Radio Controlled Electric-Powered Glider Review:

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Dromida Sky cruiser is a uniquely designed glider that lay emphasis to detail from the wings to the motor located at the top-back. This is a must have sailplane for beginners who want learn how to fly a glider; not forgetting that it can also give the expert gliders the best experiences.

Having the pusher prop design makes launching and landing easier and very safe.

The glider is an exciting, easy to fly aircraft for pilots of all skill level from beginners to experts. It comes fitted with a rugged foam airframe which ensures you fly with confidence without fear of crashing and destroying your plane.

The plane arrives almost entirely preassembled. You only need to do a few, simple adjustments which don’t require the help of an expert will be ready for a flight. The glider package comes complete with everything you need, so you don’t need to buy any additional parts to start that enjoying that moment of lifetime you’ve been waiting for.

The plane is very light weighing at around 10.4 ounces making it easy to carry transport. It features a powerful 2.4 GHz 4-channel transmitter with Futaba S-FHSS protocol which ensures ease in controlling the craft, especially for beginners.

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4. Great Planes Goldberg Gentle Lady Glider Kit Review:

Goldberg makes it to the top 5 best RC gliders being not only among the best in performance but among the models with uniquely designed, colorful wings that imitate a rainbow.

The glider is great on the economical edge, ensuring you enjoy long flights for less. There’s nothing like a high performance and the ease RC soaring that you’ll get from this sailplane.

The glider has Carl’s quintessential glider design that is incomparable to any other. It’s constructed from wood, making it super lightweight (to be exact, it weighs around 2.5 pounds). That not only makes it incredibly portable, but also means it can fly at very high attitudes with excellent controls. The plane is a one piece wing but is still easy to transport with a width span of 1988mm or 78.3in.

Right inside the package, you’ll discover photo-illustrated instructions and full size rolled plans to aid you to assemble the plane or repair it when the need arises.

The model gives beginners plenty of time to learn the ropes of gliding, while providing experienced flyers with those extra-long flights. This makes it one of the top gliders for all levels of expertise.

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5. Phoenix 2000 EPO Composite R/C Glider (Plug & Fly) Review:

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Phoenix 2000 EPO is the latest glider on the market, so we have saved the best for lastJ. If you want to learn about rc gliders and gliding and become the best, this plane is for you. Made in the USA, you can be sure of the quality, performance offered by the glider.

The two-meter wingspan glider takes only 15minutes to assemble and lasts for a very long time. The wings and tails are made from a tough EPO foam while the fuselage is made from a strong blow molded nylon skin with plywood formers making them easily resist wear and tear.

Even with the high-quality material used to create it, the glider is smooth and rigid. It’s light enough for a top-rated performance. The tail and wing are screwed into place for simplified assembling.

It’s also good to note that the two wing halves have a carbon fiber rod for added strength. It’s the perfect glider to spend your weekend or after-work activities with. The gliders manufacturers also offer an endless customer service for the entire lifetime of the plane.

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What Do You Need To Know About RC Glider Competitions

What’s RC glider competition?

A simplified definition: It is a form of air sports where the gliders (pilots in the gliding sport) participate in the gliding competitions. Usually, the sport involves racing competitions, but there are also on-line league tables as well as aerobic contests.

If you thought that glider competitions started the other day, you’re very wrong. The sport dates back to the 5^th century. With the invention of radio controlled gliders, you can imagine how fun and more engaging the game has become in the present day.

So you wanna start gliding with other pilots?

Well, the gliding competitions are either held a local or national level… and even at international levels. If you’re lucky to participate in the latter, you’ll gain a higher ranking that will see you through the national championships.

You also need to know that RC glider competitions comprises of many classes- based on the type of glider and their intended task.

The competitions are subdivided into 5 classes which we’ll discuss shortly:

1. F3B- Multi-Task Thermal Soaring Gliders

These are the oldest forms of RC gliding competitions. The goal here is to fly your glider for up to 10 minutes and land as close as you can to the designated spot.

As for the distance goal, you’ve 4 minutes to make your glider cover the official 150m course as many times as possible, in either direction.

To launch your glider, you’ll need to use the specially designed electric winches.

2. F3F- Slope Soaring Gliders

Here, your job involves flying your glider in front of a slope –while taking the advantage of the updrafts resulting from the wind.

It's simply a racing competition where the pilot fly’s their glider over a 1000m course in the shortest time possible.

3. F3H- Soaring Cross Country Racing

A single task of flying a glider from point A to point B as fast as possible.

In this class of RC gliders, you utilize a tug model (given by the organizer) to tow your glider.

The tug model can tow your glider up to 200m where it’s released.

4. F3J Thermal Duration Gliders

Being a single task event with simple rules, this is one of the most popular glider classes. The competitors try to keep their models aloft for exactly 10 minutes and land as close as possible to the set spot.

Launching here involves hand towing, where two people holding a 150m monofilament line pull the sailplane.

5. F3K- Hand Launched RC Gliders

This class is fast rising in popularity, and involves the gliders flying relatively smaller planes (with a maximum wingspan of 1.5 m).

In this competition class, you’ll have to launch your glider on your own, with your own hands.

Final Verdict

Those were the top 5 best RC gliders review as of 2017. Each of the gliders we’ve reviewed above pack a punch and have unique features, performance and designs.

If you are a beginner and you are looking to start out in the gliding world, then these are the best sailplanes to get your feet into it. As for expert’s, these picks are great to help you keep practicing and learn new tricks.

The gliders are affordable and you can get one without an over-stretch on your budget.

It doesn’t matter which you choose it will be a perfect experience which will leave you amazed.