Dream-Flight r2106gf Technical specifications

20 Years of Refined Slope Performance
Launching your glider off a cliff into the elements is
always an adventure- a challenge that should be met
with confidence in your airplane. Over the past 20
years, we have heard from pilots all over the world
that the Weasel is their go-to first launch slope glider.
Whether you fly small beachside dunes, coastal bluffs,
or alpine ridges, this funky little glider is ready to
carve wind. The Weasel-TREK merges modern
aerodynamic and functional refinements with the classic
trademark flight character, versatility, agility, and
stability that so many pilots have been stoked on over
the years. Get ready to experience the thrill and
adventure of surfing the invisible waves of slope lift!
Ellwood Mesa - Goleta, California

Designer's Notes - "Evolution of the Weasel"
"It was back in the mid-1990s that I was approached by
a local Santa Barbara RC glider pilot, who asked if I
might cut him some one-off foam wing cores based on a
flying wing design called the "Little Devil", by British aero
modeler Duncan Simey. I was presented with the 1994
issue of Silent Flight, which included the build article for
this particular model. The tapered, ultra-wide chord of the
Little Devil design immediately caught my eye - it looked
fun! I was in High School at the time on summer break with
plenty of time to spare, so I decided to give it go.
The original build article called for a plywood-sheeted
wing, which seemed quite heavy for our light coastal
breezes. To reduce weight, I used a packing tape-
covered foam wing with balsa sheet control surfaces for
simplicity. The foam material was scrounged from a
damaged hot tub cover (I still recall the strong smell of
chlorine-saturated foam!).
The foam and tape prototype was an immediate success! It
flew like nothing else on the slope and outperformed most
chevron-style combat wings that were popular at the time.
It was nimble, had an extremely wide speed range, could
slow down to a kite-like hover in very light wind, and the
stout, yet lightweight shape allowed it to take the tumbles.
All these attributes allowed me to take more chances, and
soon I found myself creating a new style of in-your-face
slope soaring. When everybody else was into slope
combat at the time destroying servos and airframes left
and right, I was enjoying this creative freestyle form of
RC soaring; pylon turns around shrubs and small trees,
touch and goes off park benches, quick rolls three feet off
the deck, grass skimming, hand catches instead of the
traditional landing; all became part of the new routine,
and my piloting and reflexes improved quickly as a
result.
After flying the foam and tape prototype for a couple
months, I came to find that the aircraft had character,
more so than any other airplane I had flow in the past. It
was slow yet fast, extremely quick in the turns, could
The Weasel's inspiration - a page from Duncan Simey's original
"Little Devil" build article in Silent Flight's 1994 June/July issue.
Michael Richter testing an early prototype close-in at Las Positas
Park (now Elings Park) in Summer of 1996. The design evolved
over the years and went through 7-10 iterations before eventually
becoming the current Weasel-TREK now available in 2016.

recover quickly from mid-air collisions,
and it bounced off the ground, trees,
logs, and kept on flying. It weaseled its
way out of some very interesting
situations, and hence the name, "The
Weasel," was born.
Eventually, the Weasel caught the eye
of a few local modelers who wanted
to join in on the fun, so in 1996 I
started making small batches of hand-
cut kits wrapped in brown craft paper,
offering them for $45 a pop. With the
earnings I was able to further my
hobby, and the enjoyment I received
by producing and selling a model
aircraft opened my eyes to future
possibilities. I stopped selling kits when
I started college, and it wasn't until the
last two years there that I modified the
design yet again and started selling
kits during summer holiday. Years
later, Dream-Flight was born in my
parent's garage with the Weasel-pro as the initial
cornerstone of the business.
So that is how the Weasel came to be. Thank you
Chuck and Duncan for the initial inspiration that still
continues today! The dorky-looking glider that I first
flew 20 years ago has since become my favorite
slope design. For me, it's the equivalent of a
skateboard for the slope. I take it along with me on
trips, since it fits easily in the back seat of a car or in
a suitcase. I use it frequently to test out new flying
spots and to teach people how to fly. It is a versatile
glider that simply brings smiles to people's faces, and
that is what makes it so fun!"
-Michael Richter, February 2016
Weasels are most fun in numbers! A group of pilots enjoying some sloping camaraderie at
the annual WeaselFest flying event in 2006 at Ellwood Mesa (Goleta, California). Started
as an informal gathering of fellow Weasel pilots in 2004, Weaselfest now continues as an
annual fun-fly event "organically" organized on RCgroups.com
Father and son enjoying springtime breezes with their Weasel-evo at
Ellwood Mesa during Weaselfest 2012. Photo by Dave Garwood.

CAUTION! READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:
►The Weasel-TREK RC glider is not a toy; a certain amount of experience and practice is
required to safely fly this model. We recommend consulting an experienced RC pilot before
attempting to fly this glider. With proper instruction, learning to fly RC gliders can be a safe and
extremely rewarding activity.
►ALWAYS fly model aircraft, such as the Weasel-TREK, in open areas away from overhead
power/telephone lines, groups of people, trees, roads, buildings, and airports.
►BE CONSIDERATE AND RESPECTFUL! Always be considerate of passersby, spectators, and
other pilots by maintaining a safe distance between them and your aircraft during flight.
Choosing a designated safe landing zone is good practice and always give larger, heavier flying
models the right of way. Treat flying sites with the utmost of respect and care, as future access to
them is by no means guaranteed.
►The Weasel-TREK must be assembled, balanced, and trimmed properly to ensure smooth,
efficient flight. Poor balance and trim WILL lead to poor flight characteristics. This is especially
true for small flying wings like the Weasel-TREK that usually require a bit of fine-tuning to
achieve the best flight characteristics. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few flights to get it
just right. Additionally, make sure to observe proper control surface deflections that suit your skill
level.
►Do not store glider in areas of excessive heat, as this may cause foam parts to warp/deform,
thus adversely affecting the flight characteristics. Additionally, never place objects/weight on
glider during storage and transport unless foam parts are properly supported to prevent
warping.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pg. Topic
1 Kit Contents
2 Items Required for Completion (not included)
3 Radio Gear Setup
5 Fuselage Preparation
7 Wing and Tail Installation
11 Balancing the Weasel-TREK
13 Control Surface Deflections
14 Ballast Option
15 Pre-Flight Check
16 Test Flights: Trimming for Straight and Level Flight
17 Fine-Tuning the Weasel-TREK for Optimum Flight Performance
19 Slope Soaring Background and Technique
To familiarize yourself with the assembly process, we recommend
reading over this manual before proceeding with final assembly.
When assembling your Weasel-TREK,
make sure to check out the HOT TIPS
found throughout this manual.

KIT CONTENTS
ITEM
DESCRIPTION
1
Fuselage and Canopy
2
L/R Wing Panels
3
Flight and Assembly Manual
4
Vertical Tail Fin
5
Small Hardware Bag Contents:
(2) Elevon pushrods
(2) Clevises with screws
(2) Wing clamp screws
Velcro for battery and receiver installation
Not shown: Logo sheet and (2) servo mounting decals
1.
Spare Parts
available at
dream-flight.com

ITEMS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION (not included)
Radio Gear:
Programmable 6 channel radio system with Elevon Mixing and Dual Rates (see suggestion below)
Micro receiver, 4-8 gram weight (see chart below for receiver suggestion)
(2) Micro servos (Part DFFA009 recommended, or purchase our Weasel-TREK Flight Pack, Part DFFA014)
Receiver battery: 4.8V 750mAh 5/4AAA NiMH (Part DFFA012)
Battery Extension Wire (Part DFFA013)
Tools and Extras:
Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
Sharp hobby knife or razor blade for relieving foam hinges
Scissors
Ruler or measuring tape
Thin marking pen
Small weights for balancing and ballast. Use our non-lead Steel Balance Weights (Part DFAA002)
Adhesives and Tape:
Blenderm Tape (Part 1525-0) for securing wing panels, tail fin, and making small repairs
10-25mm wide painter's tape –we like the green or blue tape made by 3M
Optional:
Try our Stick-on Trim Sheets to add easy color and style (Parts DFFA050-DFFA056)
Packing tape and strapping tape for wing leading edge reinforcement and airframe repair
Acrylic paints - we like Tamiya "TS" series spray paints, or Liquitex "Professional" spray paints. Make sure
to clean the foam with denatured alcohol prior to painting and always remove any masking film or tape
5-10 minutes after painting.
Suggested Transmitter and Receiver:
Manufacturer
Transmitter Models
Receivers
FUTABA
*T6K, T6J, T8J
*R2106GF, R3006SB
*We used the new Futaba T6K 2.4GHz transmitter and Futaba R2106GF receiver for our own Weasel-TREK setup.
The T6K transmitter features a special built-in antenna for durability, and boasts easy to use, yet very
comprehensive programming features. The 6K's minimalist and robust design is great for rugged outdoor slope
excursions, since it can be thrown into a knapsack without getting hung up on the conventional 2.4GHz swivel
antenna and extraneous switches. Additionally, The R2106GF receiver's extremely short antenna makes installation
a breeze, and Futaba's time-tested experience with 2.4GHz technology yields rock-solid signal performance.
2.

RADIO GEAR SETUP
►The following setup is based on the use of our sturdy 12.4g DMG (Digital Metal Gear) servos (Part DFFA009).
We have included the exact measurements needed to recreate our setup if you choose another type of servo;
however, don't skimp on servos for your Weasel-TREK! A durable, high quality digital servo with excellent
centering will ensure that your Weasel-TREK is a smooth, predictable flyer.
Gather items below:
Transmitter (battery fully charged)
Micro receiver
(2) Servos with servo arms and screws
(Part DFFA009)
Battery Extension Wire (Part DFFA013)
4.8V, 750mAh receiver battery (fully charged)
(Part DFFA012)
1. Locate servo arms with four holes on each arm.
Place small servo screws in a safe place.
2. Plug Battery Extension Wire into receiver (observe
proper polarity!). This extension wire replaces a
switch and makes it easier to turn on the glider
and charge the battery.
3. Turn on transmitter and plug battery into female
end of Battery Extension Wire to power up
receiver.
4. Activate transmitter's Elevon mixing function
(consult your radio manual for details). Elevon
mixing may be referred to as "Delta" mixing on
some transmitter models.
5. Connect servos to appropriate receiver channels.
Confirm system is bound and servos are
responding smoothly.
6. Ensure all Trims and Sub-Trims are set to zero, and
all End Points and/or Adjustable Throw Volumes
(ATV) are set to the default of 100%.
3.

7. Arrange servos on table and attach a servo arm to
each servo. IMPORTANT: Servo arms must be
installed in the orientations shown to ensure
proper control function.
8. Referring to graphic on the right, check for correct
servo rotation direction. If needed, reverse servo
directions using transmitter. If you cannot achieve
the correct rotations using servo reversing alone,
you may need to swap the servo plugs at the
receiver and return to Step 7 above.
9. If necessary, adjust sub-trims to ensure servo arms
are at 90 degrees as shown.
10. With a bit of masking tape, label each servo for
future reference during installation (i.e. Right, Left).
11. Install two small servo screws to secure each arm.
12. Power down receiver by unplugging battery from
Battery Extension Wire. Now turn off transmitter.
4.

FUSELAGE PREPARATION
Gather items below:
Fuselage with canopy
(2) Elevon servos (Part DFFA009)
Receiver with Battery Extension Wire attached (Part DFFA013)
4.8V, 750mAh receiver battery (Part DFFA012)
(2) Servo mounting decals (45 x 70mm, Clear)
(2) Velcro strips
1. Carefully remove canopy by gripping it near wing and raising one
side.
2. The canopy uses three strong magnets for a secure attachment. To
minimize damage to the canopy when removing it repeatedly, make
a simple pull-tab from a strip of 3M Blenderm tape (or similar).
Simply cut a 4cm-long strip of tape and fold one end over on itself to
create a non-sticky pull tab. Approximately 2cm of adhesive should
remain exposed to be applied to the underside of the canopy as
shown.
2. As shown below, press servos into molded pockets and route wire
leads through provided cutouts and into receiver compartment. Servo
reference labels can be removed at this time.
3. Apply provided servo mounting decals over each servo as shown
below. Rub decal firmly in place.
5.

4. Apply 50mm-long x 13mm-wide Velcro strips to battery and inside fuselage battery compartment as shown
below. The Velcro allows the battery to be adjusted fore and aft during final balancing. Use the remaining
Velcro for mounting receiver or a spare battery.
5. For now, mount battery in the most forward position.
6. Twist the servo wires together for a neater installation and then plug both elevon servo plugs into the proper
receiver channel ports (as determined in "Radio Gear Setup").
7. Install receiver as shown. You can use the extra Velcro or a bit of double-sided tape if you like.
8. Replace canopy and check it for proper fit. If necessary, tidy up your wiring so that it does not interfere
with fit of canopy.
6.

WING AND TAIL INSTALLATION
Gather items below:
Wing Panels (Right/Left)
Completed Fuselage (with servos, battery, and receiver installed)
(2) Elevon pushrods
(2) Adjustable clevises with clamping screws
(2) Wing Clamp Screws (7mm-long x 2mm dia.)
Tail Fin
1. As shown on the right, flex foam elevons 45
degrees in each direction a few times to loosen
hinge action.
2. If hinges remain rather stiff after flexing, you can
enhance control response and reduce servo load by
making 25mm-long incisions along foam hinges using
a sharp hobby knife. As shown in the two pictures
below, use a strip of masking tape as a guide to
create even cuts. Alternate, leaving approximately
25mm of intact hinge material between incisions
(imagine a dashed line cut pattern as shown below-
right). Make sure to leave about 55mm of intact
hinge material at each end of control surface.
7.

3. While holding fuselage in hand,
slide one wing panel at a time onto
carbon-fiber tube, with leading
edge of wing angled downward as
shown. Once wing panel contacts
fuselage, rotate wing panel,
allowing magnets to snap into
contact.
4. Locate and install two wing clamp
screws into wing clamps as shown
below. Firmly, but not excessively,
tighten the wing clamp screw in each
panel. The wing clamp screws may
be loosened at any point to remove
wing panels for travel and storage.
5. IMPORTANT: For added security, wrap a strip of tape
(Blenderm 1525-0) around each wing joint at the
leading edge as shown. It is possible for the wing
clamp to loosen after a hard landing. This can result in
the wing separating from the fuselage during landing.
Make sure to inspect your wing joints for any signs of
loosening or separation between flights.
8.

6. Locate two pushrods and adjustable clevises. Install a clevis onto each control horn at outermost hole. Make
sure to face the clamping screw on each clevis towards the wingtip for easier adjustment. As demonstrated
below, you may need to pry the clevis open using a larger flat-head screwdriver.
7. Insert wire "U-Bend" side of each pushrod into outermost hole of servo arm as shown below.
8. While deflecting elevon towards top wing surface as shown below, slide pushrod into clevis by rotating
elevon back to neutral position. You may have to loosen clamping screw slightly to allow clevis to slide
easily onto pushrod.
9. Ensure that both clevises slide freely on each pushrod for the next adjustments. Loosen clevis screw if
necessary.
9.

10. Turn on transmitter and plug battery into the
Extension Wire to power up servos. Double
check that your servo arms are centered and
make trim adjustments if necessary.
11. Align elevons with fuselage as shown to the
right. Use a bit of painter's tape if necessary to
hold elevons in their "neutral position" and
firmly tighten clevis screws with elevons in this
position. Do not over-tighten clevis screws. Check
by hand to make sure clevis is now locked onto
pushrod.
12. Install Tail Fin onto glider from rear, allowing tabs to align and slide in place. Apply 2-3 strips of Blenderm
tape along joint for a secure hold.
►HOT TIP: Basic assembly is now complete! Use our
easy to apply Stick-on Trim Sheets (Parts DFFA050-56) to
add some color. These trim sheets can be gently stretched
around light compound curves such as wingtips, without
any heat. Simply trace your design on the paper transfer
sheet and cut out with a hobby knife. Give yourself about
2-cm of extra material past the edges so that you can
grab and stretch the film around the curved wingtips. We
like to use a flexible curve ruler and french curves for
drawing smooth arcs. Keep in mind that coating the glider
with any material will increase the weight of the glider, so
keep it light!
10.

BALANCING THE WEASEL-TREK
►IMPORTANT: The Weasel-TREK must be assembled, balanced, and trimmed properly to ensure smooth,
efficient flight. Poor balance and trim WILL lead to poor flight characteristics. This is especially true for small
flying wings like the Weasel-TREK, which almost always require a bit of fine-tuning to achieve best flight
performance. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few flights to get the balance and trim just right.
Additionally, always balance your glider AFTER decorating the airframe with any paint, tape, film, etc.
Gather items below:
Fully assembled and decorated Weasel-TREK
Small balance weights (not always necessary). You may only need several small washers or coins to get the
balance correct. If you need more weight, try our non-lead Steel Balance Weights (Part DFAA002).
1) Ensure all components of glider are attached and installed. Replace canopy if not already installed.
2) Find the Balance Locators on underside of wing, behind servos. This Center of Gravity (CG) position
provides the Weasel-TREK with a neutral flight characteristic. It may be a bit too neutral for some pilots
who appreciate a little more hands-off stability, but it is a good place to start nonetheless.
11.

3) Center your fingertips on the Locators to balance the glider and see how it reacts. If the nose drops quickly,
move battery rearward until glider balances level on fingertips. If the tail drops quickly, slide battery
forward if possible, or add a small amount of balance weight to the provided recesses alongside battery
(you may only need a small coin or two). The Weasel-TREK's short length makes balancing a bit tricky, so
take your time and make sure it balances level on your fingertips for at least a moment or two before it
starts to fall out of balance. Proper balance is crucial for smooth and efficient flight!
12.

CONTROL SURFACE DEFLECTIONS
The control surface deflections in the table below provide the Weasel-TREK with active response to control
inputs. You can program separate Low and High rates using the "Dual Rate" menu and toggle switches on your
programmable transmitter. In our opinion, the "High Rate" provides a very fun and aerobatic feel, while the
"Low Rate" is good for those pilots just getting the feel for the model and slope soaring. Before proceeding,
make sure all End Points and/or Adjustable Throw Volumes (ATV) are set to the default of 100%.
IMPORTANT:Elevon deflections can be adjusted to suit one's own flying style, but make sure to pay particular
attention to your elevator deflections... a little goes a long way for a flying wing! Too much elevator deflection
will result in inefficient over-controlling, stalling, and poor flight behavior.
►HOT TIP: As shown below, apply a piece of painter's tape to the tail, just behind elevon control surface for setting
deflections. Mark desired deflections on tape and adjust transmitter Dual Rates until proper deflections are achieved.
* Provides the approximate Dual Rate
(D/R) settings in percent. Use of
Exponential (EXPO) is a matter of personal
preference. The use of Exponential will
soften the feel of the controls for small
stick movements. This makes the model feel
less "twitchy" and it will react smoother to
small control inputs. Some pilots prefer no
EXPO, making the control response linear
and more active around center.
IMPORTANT: The use of negative EXPO in
the chart above is based on the use of a
Futaba transmitter (i.e. -35% Expo). For
other transmitter brands, you may find that
a positive EXPO value provides the desired
result (i.e. less sensitivity to small stick
inputs).
LOW RATE
HIGH RATE
Measured
Deflection
Dual Rate /
Exponential
Measured
Deflection
Dual Rate /
Exponential
Elevator
(Pitch Control)
5mm UP
4mm DOWN
*D/R: 20%
*EXPO: -20%
10mm UP
9mm DOWN
*D/R: 35%
*EXPO: -35%
Aileron
(Roll Control)
13mm UP
12mm DOWN
*D/R: 50%
*EXPO: -20%
25mm UP
24mm DOWN
*D/R: 100%
*EXPO: -35%
13.