Setting up rudder travel in the transmitter (above) before first flight. Author Dave Garwood (at right) with Multiplex Solius ready for its first flight.
ly discovered that rudder is needed to initi- ate a turn, and roll control was not as re- sponsive as I expected. After a landing, I coupled the rudder to the ailerons, and in- creased the aileron throw in the transmit- ter. The second launch led to a great flight during which all the accompanying photos were taken.
The dense Elapor foam, heavy motor, and large battery pack result in a relatively high wing loading for a sport thermal glid- er, and so Solius flies fast, exactly as expect- ed for this type of glider. Nonetheless, the model has a pleasingly flat glide path. It makes good use of rising air to gain altitude. It flies like a well-designed plane should:
smooth, responsive, and it floats surprising- ly well for its weight. When flying, the Solius is not happy to slow down in a turn and can suddenly drop the inside wing and begin a spin. Keep the flying speed up and you’ll be rewarded with a pleasant flying sailplane. The Solius easily performs the expected long-wing sailplane aerobatic maneuvers— loops and rolls, including point rolls and slow rolls. The wing is strong enough to com- petently pull through slope racing pylon turns.
Wrapping up The Solius is a high quality and fine flying
PHOTO: RICHARD LOUD
sport sailplane aimed at R/C glider pilots who have some sailplane experience. It is neither a floater nor a trainer. The design is well-engineered and the kit is complete. Spare parts are available in case they are needed. This fact alone makes this Multi- plex sailplane more practical and thus more valuable than competing sailplanes for which parts are not available. It’s not fun having a model you can’t fly for lack of spare parts.
Flying the Solius is a very pleasant expe- rience, and it can be expected to deliver a long service life whether flown in the ther- mal hunting, the slope aerobatics, or the electric motor cruising flight tasks.
PHOTOS: RICHARD LOUD
Multiplex Soliuson a close pass. Author Dave Garwood (at left) on the sticks. The Solius features a more advanced flight profile (above) than most almost ready to fly sailplanes and makes for a great next step.
FLYING MODELS 49
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