The LightSpeed our new advanced competition class discus launch glider. It is extraordinarily lightweight at approximately 7.5 oz. / 212 grams ready to fly. The design style parallels the Super Gee II discus launch glider, but has a narrowed chord and smaller stab.

Detailed Information

Like the LightHawk, you'll find the plane kitted at a high level of completion. The wing is bagged in one piece -- no joining. The wing pylons are installed into the boom and pre-threaded.

One piece wing only. International customers must be able to receive a 60" box by U.S. International Priority Mail.

Competition and Flight Reports
LightSpeed launches high, and has a little faster cruise speed compared to LightHawk. Float is surprisingly good, with the glider demonstrating minimum sink rates lower than most other 1.5 meter gliders. Cruise is effective without ballasting in winds up to 15 mph / 6.7 meters per second. For contest pilots flying in constant winds above 15 mph, we suggest a small ballast of 20 or so grams to increase the wing loading and flying speed. We have tested a 44 gram ballast and think that a bit heavy unless constant winds exceed 20 mph / 9 mps. As always, this is a personal decision a contest pilot should experiment with. Ballast can be made from aluminum or brass square bar stock, with holes drilled for the LightSpeed pylon spacing and a slot for the wing auto connector.

Although LightHawk remains our favorite glider, this year I have flown the LightSpeed for most of my contest rounds, and these were in a wide variety of conditions. I flew without ballast for all rounds. I found that I could launch this glider higher than a LightHawk--probably because I can move the glider a bit faster but also because LightSpeed's smaller wing results in less induced drag. I continue to improve thanks to lots of contest flying, and find that this new glider at least the equal of the LightHawk for my purposes. I would not say the glider is better, but rather that it seems better for me in most conditions.

LightHawk remains a glider we'd recommend for new pilots. It could be the best option for some experienced pilots as well. Being a clone of Dr. Drela's exemplary SuperGee II, LightHawk has a wonderful balance of flying attributes.

However, LightSpeed exhibits good all-around capabilities. It's a kick to fun fly and sky-out. For contest flying the LightSpeed has interesting attributes that make it a good alternative to the LightHawk / SG-II, and unique compared to all other gliders being offered today.

LightSpeed Status
LightSpeed is now in production. We craft the LightSpeed DLG in all Kevlar. If you would like one or more LightSpeed DLGs, order in our store or by telephone, specifying options and throwing side. We will make your glider as specified. Orders ship in sequence of date received.

Assembly
We strongly recommend you prepare your LightSpeed for flight by closely following the step-by-step assembly guide.

LightSpeed Kit Status

* Now accepting orders
for July planes and components. All production is build to order.

*Existing customers can call if they need to arrange special repairs or replacement parts on a sooner timeframe.

* Tip Paint Options have expanded to include bottom paint (black) and same color tips
(all red or all blue).

* D47 RDS are now made with 1.5 mm yoke pins, which are larger and stronger than the previous pins. The new stronger control horn with Dymond D47 servos is perfect for RDS.