Malibu Pro

Description

The Malibu Pro is an improved version of the Malibu, a lovely 1m DLG that launches high and has great handling. Due to the large wing area and big flapperons the model thermals very easily. The well coordinated controls give it nimble handling, and the model holds its own, even when compared with considerably more expensive DLGs.

The standard version of Malibu Pro DLG model is supplied with a strong and brightly coloured glass layup wing, which weighs approx 64 g. The carbon version (illustrated in most of the photos) is supplied with a lighter Carboline spread carbon wing weighing approx 59 g. These are good weights for an economic 1 meter discus launched glider, especially considering the generous wing area of design.

The Malibu Pro's fuselage is a pod and boom design with the front part made from 2.4GHz friendly glass, and the rear from spread carbon. There is an large access hatch on the top giving access to the RC installation. The aileron and elevator servos are installed in the pod to minimise nose weight and yaw inertia. A rudderless RC set-up is suggested as the fin is not cut for rudder, but this could easily be changed if full three axis control is preferred, though this is often thought unnecessary for small models. Due to the large canopy hatch and only three servos the RC installation is not quite as cramped as most DLGs, making it suitable for an intermediate level modeller.

The Malibu Pro's wing is solid molded with a glass or spread carbon skin over a CNC cut foam core. The wing has a nice surface finish for low drag. The ailerons are fabricated with a living hinge. The only work required to finish the wings is installing the throwing blade and control horns. The supplied throwing blade is of an innovative split tang design, with the tangs being glued to the top and bottom surfaces of the wing, which is much easier than on most DLGs, which require the tip to be hollowed out. The throwing blade can be fitted to either tip, so the model is suitable for left and right handed throwers.

The tailplane (horizontal stabiliser) is mounted on a very nice mini articulated "V mount" on the top of the boom, and the fin (vertical stabiliser) has a perfectly matching hole molded into it, enabling easy mounting onto the end of the tailboom. The tailplane and fin are plain black spread carbon on the SC layup wing model (as illustrated). On the glass wing version the tailplane and fin are glass layups also, with attractive colouring to match the wing colour.

The model is supplied with a accessory pack including the control horns, V mount, launch blade, elevator pushrod, aileron pushrods, and wing mounting screws.

There is no manual available but there are excellent build photos here. Also see this useful RCGroups thread about an earlier version.

Malibu Pro DLG Specifications
Wing span	1.0 m	39 in
Wing area	13.2 dm2	205 sq in
Length	85 cm	33.5 in
Flying weight from	140 g	4.9 oz
Wing loading	10.6 g/dm	3.5 oz/sq ft
Aspect ratio	7.6
Wing airfoil	Propriety
Dihedral angle	5.0º
Centre of Gravity	70-75 mm from wing leading edge
Controls	Ailerons, elevator

Malibu Pro DLG Typical Weights
Fuselage	32.0 g	1.1 oz
Wing (glass)	64.0 g	2.3 oz
Wing (carbon)	59.0 g	2.1 oz
Fin	4.1 g	0.1 oz
Tailplane	5.1 g	0.2 oz
Accessories	3.5 g	0.1 oz
Total structure (carbon wing)	103.7 g	3.7 oz
Glue, mounts etc	2.0 g	0.1 oz
Receiver	5.0 g	0.2 oz
Elevator servo	4.5 g	0.2 oz
Aileron servos	9.0 g	0.3 oz
Battery	10.0 g	0.4 oz
Noseweight	5.8 g	0.2 oz
Flying weight	140.0 g	4.9 oz

Recommended R/C-nano gear only
Elevator servo	Blue Bird BMS-101AMG, Blue Bird BMS-101DMG, Blue Bird BMS-101HV, Ripmax SD100
Aileron servos	Blue Bird BMS-101AMG, Blue Bird BMS-101DMG, Blue Bird BMS-101HV, Ripmax SD100
Receiver *case removed	Spektrum AR6260, AR6100e, AR400, Futaba R6004FF, FrSky X4R, Orange DSM2 compatible, Jeti Duplex R5, Multiplex Mlink RX-6-DR Light*
Battery	HyperLipo 2S 175 mAh LiPo, 150 mAh 4.8V NiMH, Radient 1S 500 mAh LiPo, Radient 1S 600 mAh LiPo, Cellevia 1S 250 mAh LiPo

Malibu Pro Control Throws
Elevator	8 mm up / 8 mm down
Ailerons	7 mm up / 6 mm down
Camber Settings
Launch	0.5mm up
Cruise	0 mm
Thermal 1	2 mm down
Max thermal	4 mm down

More details

Malibu Drawing [39kb]

Reviews 14

04/02/2020 20:08

Review by: Michael

Malibu Pro

As this is my first DLG build, i must say it was easy. Everything fitted nicely together, came out ~160Grams so not that bad. Very nice flyer. Now I do not have anything to compare to, but first flight was in ~5-6 M/S it handled it with ease!
I designed a 3d printed servo tray and canopy magnet holder, the designs may not be perfect or what you like, but they work - feel free to use them :).
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4144172
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4139176
What more to say? It's just great fun! Oh yes, and a great swift service from Hyperflight - Thank You!

21/11/2019 23:37

Review by: Herbert Reich

Malibu Pro

Just a quick follow up on my Malibu Pro. The Malibu was easy to complete including placing the Blue Bird servos into the wing. Flying the Malibu of a shallow beach dune was a delight. The aircraft is very responsive and response positively to any lift. I have flown the Malibu now in conditions up to 16 knots and I am surprised how well the plane handles and penetrates. Another plus is the low power consumption, three Bluebird servos and receiver consume +/- 35ma per 30min. All in all I would recommend the Malibu Pro to anyone seeking a dlg that is inexpensive but has a wide performance envelope.

14/10/2019 21:36

Review by: Dan Black

easy to build and fly. Great service. Will order again

30/09/2019 01:15

Review by: Herbert Reich

Malibu Pro

The Malibu Pro arrived today packed in bubble wrap and a very sturdy cardbord box. Delivery time was extremely short considering the item was shipped to Australia from the UK, in fact it takes longer for items to arrive that have been dispatched locally.

All parts were accounted for and the quality of the kit components are of very high standard.

The customers service of Hyperflight is excellent and as a result I will deal with this organisation more frequently.

The Malibu Pro will be fitted out with 3 Blue Bird servos, LemonRX receiver and a 700ma 1S LiPo.

05/08/2019 13:17

Review by: Ian Williams

Well packed and fast next day delivery.

I have been flying a Stiletto Hot off the slope for a few years, without a throwing blade fitted, and wanted something similar I can DLG when there's zero wind.

Well pleased with the quality and particularly the 'low drag' texture of the glass wing surface and translucent pod so you can check the alignment of the servos.

I have kitted out with 3 Blue Bird BMS-101AMG servos in the pod and a 1S round LiPo (650ma) which balances up near perfect.

29/04/2019 21:20

Review by: Wim H

Not finished with servo linkage yet. So far: arrived in about one week (way ahead of what I expected), well packaged, excellent workmanship, on-line directions VERY helpful!

22/03/2019 21:52

Review by: Dave T

malibu

very well packaged assembled and tested in no time i am a pensioner and was happy with the height i could launch to second model from hyperflight will buy more

28/02/2019 11:06

Review by: PYves

Malibu Pro

This is my first DLG. First glider with carbon wing. So good quality product. And it flies great.
I have added rudder control. All the controls are inside the fuselage = elevator with 0.36mm wire in tube and rudder with torque spring and a pull cord.
I used a Radient 1S 600 mAh LiPo Battery with JR connector, 4 Blue Bird BMS-101AMG Servo and a Graupner GR12 receiver without box. The total weight is 160g with 12g/dm2 wing load.
Only one bad thing : the package was made with bubble wrap and tape. I would have liked to receive it in a box with division for each parts.

HyperFlight Comment: The model *was* of course sent in a very strong cardboard box. We find wrapping the components in a generous layer of bubble wrap, and then suspending them with tape and void-fill is the best way of ensuring the model arrives safely.

05/09/2018 20:02

Review by: Keith

Malibu Pro

Very well done 1m DLG with beautiful flying surfaces. It has a wide speed range and is
very responsive using just ailerons and elevator. Built up with D-47 servos, a Lemon DSMX receiver and 240 ma Shread RC smart LiPo the AUW .... 146 g. Balanced out at 72mm from front lead edge. Quick service to the US, thank you Hyperflight!

20/08/2018 11:12

Review by: Steve Underwood

Malibu pro...

Excellent quality ....flies great.
Like to see carbon rod and guides for elevator in kit as standard.
Regards
Steve

05/05/2018 16:33

Review by: Peter

Malibu

Experienced modeller, first DLG.
Kit arrived promptly well packed. Faulty blue bird servo replaced by Neil with no quibbles. Plenty of room for gear installation (hi tech mini rx). Detail pictures on web site helpful as a rough guide to assembly. Flies well with surprisingly long battery life.
150 mAh nimh.

27/03/2018 17:36

Review by: Mike S

Malibu Pro

Just received my new DLG. Delivery was really fast and it was packaged perfectly. The quality of the components is outstanding and I cannot wait to build this beauty. I will let you know how she peforms at a later date. Thank you Hyperflight

10/03/2018 12:14

Review by: Les

Malabu

Pleased with the service and delivery, happy with the quality and finish apart from the paint lines in the aileron hinging but can put up with it, overall a very nice looking model

25/02/2018 11:50

Review by: Paul

What a great dlg for the money lovely finish great way for a quality first dlg entry model