Multiplex EasyGlider 4 RR
A perfect glider for all fliers, from beginners to experts
A perfect glider for all fliers, from beginners to experts
The nice thing about Multiplex aircraft is that they are generally easy to assemble and durable, and they always fly well. The new EasyGlider 4 fits that description perfectly. The glider comes in a well-packed box with only five parts that need to be assembled. Multiplex took what it learned from the earlier EasyGliders, made some improvements, and has created an incredibly fun aircraft. Using what it calls “M-Space technology” to create a rigid hull from the durable Elapor foam, Multiplex has made a fuselage that feels solid and provides a solid base for the wings. The removable wing halves, although not so easy to separate once together, span a little more than 70 inches.
The EasyGlider 4 is available in both a kit and receiver-ready (RR) versions; I reviewed the RR version. It is equipped with servos (for elevator, rudder, and ailerons), speed control, and a powerful brushless motor. The fuselage has quick access to the battery/receiver compartment through an easy-to-pull-off canopy, which locks on securely. This spacious compartment can accommodate a range of battery sizes, and it is easy to adjust them back and forth to achieve the correct balance. To help with achieving the correct center of gravity, there are two moldedin buttons on the bottom of the wings for field balancing by hand. The EasyGlider 4’s docile flight performance is intended for beginners but is also attractive to advanced pilots. It’s perfect for beginners to learn with while offering up a nice relaxing day of flight for the experienced pilot.
UNIQUE FEATURES
When opening up the box, I found the EasyGlider 4 was well packaged; there are only five parts that needed assembly. All the control surfaces were hinged and servos installed; the wings had the pushrods attached, while the tail surfaces had the pushrods installed and connected to the servos. The brushless motor and speed control are installed, and all that is needed to complete the plane is a 3-cell 1800 to 2200mAh 20C battery pack along with a transmitter and receiver. Each part was wrapped in bubble wrap, so once all of that was off, I checked out everything for any damage; I’m happy to say there was none. All the decals come installed, and the Elapor-foam construction is smooth with a solidly stiff feel. One of the nice things about this model is that the entire assembly can be done without any glue.
The instruction book covers the complete construction of the kit, so if you have the receiver-ready version, there is no reason to read all of it—just move on to the latter parts of the assembly. I started with the tail feathers, which include the rudder and stabilizer. Both lock into each other and then this assembly is placed on the tail of the fuselage, which again locks into the fuselage; one nylon bolt is used to secure everything in place. The rudder and stabilizer pushrods were already in place, and I inserted them into the connector on the control horns of each. For the time being, I did not attach them to the control horns because I first wanted to center the servos with the receiver.
The wings were next, and installation was just a simple matter of pushing them in place and plugging in the ailerons to the connections located on the inside of the fuselage. First, I slid one wing panel over the square center spar and inserted it into the opening in the fuselage for the wing; I then slid the other wing panel onto the spar from the other side. The wing halves are designed not to need any glue and the fit is tight, so it took a little work to get them in correctly. I just pushed in from one side, then from the other, until both wing panels matched up to the contour of the fuselage. It was then just a matter of connecting my receiver to the servo leads, which was an easy process. The location of the battery was determined by placing it in and then checking the plane’s center of gravity. I kept moving the battery until everything balanced. I then used the included hook-and-loop fastener to secure it in place. The EasyGlider was now ready for its first flight.
IN THE AIR
I decided to take the EasyGlider 4 out to our local park early in the morning to avoid any people on the soccer field. The plane requires a hand-launch to get it in the air and is tough enough to land on any surface, thanks to the Elapor foam. Landing on the grass, however, will keep it looking like new, whereas a hard surface will scrape it up some. If you have only concrete or asphalt to land on, add a few strips of clear packing to the bottom of the fuselage to protect
it. It just took a simple toss and the EasyGlider was off and flying, and after a bit of trimming, the flight was straight and true. Most of my flight was done at about one-quarter throttle and gliding without the motor. I found the recommended control throws to be just about perfect for my flying style, and they are a good starting point for any pilot. Setting up for landing was easy; the plane does glide for some distance. I had the EasyGlider at about eye level when it came around on final, and that allowed it to land at my feet.
GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE
Stability: Solid at all speed and throttle levels, this plane feels really good in the air. Even when slowing down for landing, I never felt the need to add power for the lack of stability. Tracking: The solid stability of this plane leads to nice tracking performance. It didn’t matter if the throttle was on or off—when I let go of the sticks, this glider tracked through the sky in a straight line with little altitude loss.
Aerobatics: Not an aerobatic aircraft, but it will do combinations of loops and rolls. I was impressed at just how well it performed both maneuvers—even more so when I found it was able to hold onto a knife-edge for some distance.
Glide and stall performance: This is where this plane really shines. Glides are lengthy and smooth with little altitude loss. Stalls can happen, but it does take some really slow speeds.
PILOT DEBRIEFING
This is a great-flying glider, and I would recommend this plane to any pilot, beginner or expert. Flying is as easy as it gets because this plane has smooth and gentle flying characteristics.