FirebirdCdr2

Fishycomics,

Have you been flying your champ lately. I just got in from flying mine around for a little bit.

FirebirdCdr2

Summer is coming!!!! I'm gonna try and make some videos this time of my Little Champ doing its thing.

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

hey all,

Loving my little Champ, flies great! recently though, I've been having intermittent problems with the motor not spooling up. The control surfaces work, however. For example, this evening, I plugged in the battery (fully charged) and no motor response, only control surfaces worked. Anyone run into this?

Mr.Firemouth

Make sure you have the left stick all the way down when turning on radio. Also make sure the radio is on before you plug in the battery on the plane. There is a built in throttle safety so that when you plug in the battery the prop doesn't accidentally spin. If this process does not fix your problem then you may need to check your connections and see if you have voltage at the motor when the prop is NOTspinning but the throttle stick is advanced. You may have a bad motor.

HTH,
~Rich

Mr.Firemouth

My Bro-in-law advised me to get this Champ so that I could get used to flying. The plane is awesome. My Dad and I flew planes unsuccessfully 20 years ago. We built top wing Cessna style planes with gas motors and were not experienced pilots. After 2 repairs, 3 different planes, and no real support group back then we gave up. It blows my mind after remembering all the plane building, that today you can be airborne in less than 1 hour!

Here is my Champ, not modded yet......



Now the bad news. After 6 hours of flying my daughter caught a strong tail wind, climbed like crazy, and flew out of range. The motor died and the plane crashed into a tree 50' of the ground! We had a strong storm and I am amazed that the plane is still stuck in the tree. I hope it frees itself or that a helpful squirrel knocks it out of there. I want my plane back! LOL

Mr.Firemouth

You may notice that great 80 acre field in my back yard! I can't believe on her maiden flight the wind took it the other direction, one whole block away, and crashed it in a tree when I have a clear 40,000 feet to my east! Crazy!

FirebirdCdr2

Mr. Firemouth,

Yeah I know about the wind trying to carry away your plane. I hope you've gotten your champ back.

I really wish I had that much room to fly.

Raycamaro

Finally got a Champ. It's really hard to get anybody to give you a comparison between the J-3 and the Champ so now I have both. The Champ is a little bigger, more powerful and overall the better deal. It's not hard to fly it out of range. I flew it out of range a couple of times but got it back immediately. I've got about forty-eight other planes so I won't be doing any mods on them. My Son, Adam and Grandson. Seth are both starting out and I can let them fly these two without as much worry. This video is nothing special. Just the two playing together. You might not want to listen to the video. It's kind of amusing. Video was shot on a iPhone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBlzvQs_fvc

FirebirdCdr2

Raycamero,

Cool video, Your son and grandson will definitely love flying the champ. When you have 48 other planes I guess you wouldnt be thinking about mods LOL!!. The Champ is really cool to fly.

Firebird

kaiser01

i've had my champ for two weeks now and love it. so much fun.

i've never flown before and found the champ very easy to fly.
now i'm practicing landing and flying straight, keeping it on course is a challenge.

great first plane!

FirebirdCdr2

Kaiser01,

It's a great little plane to have when you cant get to a really bid field.

Firebird

FirebirdCdr2

Irene Go away so I can fly my Champ and Cub

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

Anybody know what kind of glue is holding the motor and the rx/esc in place? I'm thinking i'm going to have to replace the motor because it won't run anymore, but the servos still work.

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

?

FirebirdCdr2

TCipolla,

Looked at my plane. I'm not actually sure what glue is holding the engine in place. You can call HobbyZone and they will tell what kind of glue is holding the Motor in place. They may even tell you where you can get it.


Firebird

FirebirdCdr2

TCipolla,

Here is the address and contact numbers for Horizon Hobby the company that owns HobbyZone.


Horizon Hobby, Inc.
ATTN: Hobbyzone Sports
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822


Main Phone: (217) 352-1913
Toll-Free: (800) 338-4639
Support Phone: (877) 504-0233
Sales Phone: (800) 338-4639

Firebirdcdr2

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

Hey thanks for the phone numbers. I guess ill have to give them a call. I miss flying my Champ!

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

Finally got the motor out! Glued in there pretty good with whatever that stuff is. It's a rubbery substance, not sure what it is.

Edit: The 'glue' holding the motor and ESC is a silicone adhesive. You can buy it at a hardware store.

FirebirdCdr2

TCipolla,

Cool, How is the champ flying for you now? or Have you tested it yet? I'm glad you found out what you needed to get your champ back on track.


P.S. Silicone Adhesive, That's good know. I might need to get some of that.


Firebird

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

Hi Firebird,

Well, I actually just ordered the new motor from Horizon about 30 minutes ago. Once I get it installed and flown, I'll be sure to let you know!

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

Well, got the motor and a new prop/spinner. Definitely was a bad motor that I had. The new one started right up once plugged in! Probably too many prop strikes from bad landings! Gotta glue it in and let it cure before flying though.

FirebirdCdr2

TCipolla,


Oh cool, I'm glad you got your motor. Yeah bad landings can do that to you. Well let me know how it does once you get it going.


Firebird

TCipolla

My Feedback: (8)

Well, she flies again! I had to put in a little bit of down elevator trim, probably due to the motor not being at the same nose down thrust angle that it originally was. Only took two or three clicks of the trim and she was flying straight and true. Now I need some new batteries. the stock one lasts about 4-5 minutes then the low volt cutout kicks in. the thunder power one is still kicking as strong as the first flight! I love this little thing. I sit at the end of the driveway in a lawn chair and fly in the street just putzin' around. Good way to relax.

Anyways, have a great night!

FirebirdCdr2

Isnt great that you dont have to leave your front yard to fly. Thats why i love this little guy. If i'm not feeling like packing up my other Park Flyers. I just get my Champ out and get to flying around at home. A very good way to relax. I love it!!

FirebirdCdr2

I have been thinking about painting my champ another color. I'm not sure what color yet.