Flite Test - Dynaflite Bird of Time - REVIEW

Dynaflite Bird of Time Sailplane featuring a 3 meter wingspan and made of fiberglass and wood. We review this glider and check out some of its flying characteristics.

More details and photos available on the website:

Check out the Alula Review here:

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Thanks for watching!

[stevewise]

The Bird Of Time was designed by Dave Thornburg in the 70's as an FAI competition ship. At the time, a speed run was required but this was later abandoned because of too many wings folding. The larger outer wing panels are designed to help it turn tightly for spot landings. Not an easy scratch build, but a gorgeous bird in the air!

[edjett]

The Bird of Time is an awesome airplane. Designed by Dave Thornburg (the old buzzard himself). It is the easiest sailplane to fly I've ever flown. It almost flys itself when properly trimmed. Yes the ARF should have been covered with orange monokote on the bottom of the wings instead of white. I can't recommend this design enough. Spoilers - yep, you need spoilers; I lost my ARF trying to get out of a strong thermal; lost the right wingtip panel and couldn't control it well enough to save it. I built a kit version which is a better plane all things considered, but it takes time and money to build it. Putting a motor in the ARF is a great idea as you need the nose weight and it might as well be power rather than the chunk of lead that comes built into it. Very little overall weight penalty to add the motor. These things fly like homesick angels. You'll love it.

[jamesfalardeau]

Built one from plans with thin foil back in the 80's. I actually enjoyed hand cutting every rib in the wing. Hand carved the body. All white with dark blue wing tips and tail tips. Still my favorite.

[MichaelRainabbaRichardson]

My favorite FliteTest video to date. LOVE the action shot when David puts on his sunglasses.

[RCllamadude]

wow, I LOOOOVE having david on the show. he just adds so much... awesomeness to the show. by the way, don't let him go home next year. lock him in a cupboard, do whatever you have to do. he's NOT allowed to leave.

[PeterDawson]

Your aerial photography is out of this world! This one has the best yet.

[harindrawisnu]

never got bored by this episode, though i've been watching this hundred times

[Znybar]

David is a natural for this kind of show, really knowledgeable, creative, and good in front of the camera.

[tbird]

The BOT is a classic, in any size, period!! I've had the 3M flavor with a fullhouse setup(spoilers, flaps, ailerons, rudder, elevator) and my 2M BOT 2ch R-E still was on par in all but the windiest of weather. It would be nice to see more sailplane reviews. But usually only the more advanced pilots are truly into that scene.

[theothercreature]

This is a great show guys. Flight Test is creative, interesting, and fun. FYI Dave Thornburg designed the Bird Of Time - he also wrote Old Buzzards Soaring Book - A fun read for anyone interested in sailplanes. It was very poetic to see it soar with the buzzards in this episode.  

[TheMadmatt]

I have watched if not all but most of your guys videos multiple times and I have to say that this is my favorite out of all of them, your footage of the glider is amazing and shows how cool rc flying can be and makes me want to get into FPV more then ever. Good job guys keep it up :D 

[wrangliser]

I like how someone who's clearly an experienced and skilled pilot can openly say "it really intimidates me". +1 respect.

[petejulie]

Great test.

And as Josh II mentioned, gliders are so relaxing.
Nothing will thrill like soaring with the birds.

I can fool with all the 3D stuff all day long, but when I need to relax, my big gliders provide peace like nothing else. Amazing.

[peterharley]

35 years ago I built a Super Trident 2500, best 2 channel glider I have ever flown. Yes it was a balsa build but as I was recovering from surgery I had plenty of time to build, and it was a very rewarding process. I would love to see someone from ft do a sped up build of a balsa plane.

[timmmax]

Dave A. Thornburg designed the original Bird of Time in 1975 as a 3 meter sailplane and kitted it in 1979 before selling to Marks Models in 1980. The plans appeared in the January 1979 RC Modeler Magazine, and I fell in love with the design instantly. Dave also wrote "Old Buzzard's Soaring Book" in 1990.

[Rem_NL]

I recently discovered this channel and I have to say what a beauty it is. My compliments to the whole crew of FT for such amazing footage, humor and informative video's. And u guy's actually encouraged me to buy my first RC airplane! So big thanks to you, and if all is well in the future I might even drop by your shop to support you guy's.
p.s. I usually get annoyed by all the commercials and stuff in some of the vids on YT, but you guy's do it in such a way that I don't mind it at all KUTGW!

[rickx]

I set up a similar Bird of Time, with 5 degrees down thrust and 2 degrees right thrust, which quite nicely "power balances" the plane's aerodynamics. I also painted a good portion of the bottom of the wings BLACK! For me, that's necessary, for this plane easily goes very HIGH, and I needed the visibility. Mine is also four years old, and as good as new. It's a delightful flyer, but is quite heavy and you really need to anticipate making a turn, for it doesn't happen right away.

[TechKnowCSS]

My step brother started the kit version of this back when we were kids in about 1974, he never finished the wings compleetly, so much forming and rib sanding for prep for monocoat, I asked if i could finish it because i was 2yrs older and had more builing exp, so instead of letting me finish it for him he forced all built and unbuilt wood parts wings, fuse ect in the trash compactor and turnd it on, I cringed with every pop and crunch. Jack was always an ass, and still is today. I was sad for the death of the kit. I got into slope soaring in the 90's and hung out at my fav flying spot of redondo beach for the decade. a friend once brought his bird of time and let me fly it, what a relaxing bird to fly, i loved it, just missed inverted flight and rolls but how it flew more than made up for it. I hope to get an ARF soon. really loved the way it flew. So to back up what you said, the ARF is better than the kit, the kit would cost more and always would have some imperfections from your build.  It is a MASSIVE build, to the point of total fustration as proof with my brother Jack. BTW they no longer allow rc planes there,   ONLY 10oz or less with no motor.

[TrailerE]

Totally worth installing spoilers on the wings. I had mine so high that you could only see it when the sun flashed off of the monocoat. I loved my bot. No need for the prop. Had plenty of success with just a high start.👍

[kenmunn]

Yes, a great glider ! I’ve been flying mine for over 10 years. It is by far the easiest glider to spec out on a good day. Good job on the video.