Hello guys,  The converted Butterfly in my other post is nice, but I built a sailplane that just maidened last Saturday.  The plane is a XL Big Bird by Ray Hayes, who's company is in Ft. Wayne IN.  I spoke with Ray at a contest at the AMA when I was working on the plane last month. He was VERY helpful....even though he was the CD that day.
I flew her last Saturday before the winds picked up. What a BIG, pleasant surprise.  I thought it might fly pretty good.........but I was very happy when it did as good as it did.  (Considering she was up with 15.5 oz of nicads.... the Big Bird didn't act like it had nicads in her belly) :-D
I am not the best judge of good and bad since I have limited experience, but I gave the TX to Steve Percifield who has flown sailplanes more than I have.
He gave it a BIG thumbs up.
It will shed almost 10 oz. with a 2 cell Li Po.  It will lose about a volt.......but the wing loading will also be Wayyyyy Down too.  It had more than enough power with the 7 cells.  Jan at AXI motors also agreed that the 2 cells and my 2820/10, with a 13X6.5 folder will do just fine. (For a sailplane).   NOTE:... If you read my Butterly thread you will notice this is the same combo.  In fact.... I removed it from the B/F and is now in my XL- B/B. .........lownslo
Bob