August 2014 Model of the Month

Mike Richardson's Tercel Boost-glider

This is my first boost glider ever, and my first balsa airplane in about 30 years. The kit was a gift from my wife. I was getting confident after building a few rockets, and there's nothing like a boost glider to knock you down a few pegs!

I've had eight flights with the model and plenty of minor malfunctions: spit the motor twice; burned through the Kevlar shock cord, which I didn't think was possible, twice, for two Red Baron crashes. But it's also had some nice glides: 19 - 22 seconds on a ½A and 50 seconds on a full A motor. I could probably get better glide times if I re-trimmed it, but I'd need a larger field. Right now it's trimmed for a 60 foot circle to keep it on the soccer fields where I fly it.

The thing I'm most proud of is that it has survived 8 flights, especially since my wife predicted that I'd lose it on the first flight. I'm very protective of it. I like to run out to the park at dawn before work when the wind is only 3 - 4 mph.