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Old 05-24-2012 | 03:01 AM
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da Rock
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Near Pfafftown NC
Default RE: AVIA by Topmodel

I've got one and it's nice. It's not a floater no matter what the wing loading.

I had an AXI that almost exactly matched the mfg recommended motor so that went in with AXI's recommended prop. It climbs like a rocket. Had I known that and I not had a motor already, I would have opted for less power.

It's really quite an advanced design, definitely not your OlyII weekend warrior. The details all suggest it's purpose is max performance. The 3 position flaps are somewhat of a giveaway on that. In use, they're nice to have, but you will discover more details that take an extra minute or two of build time.

The instructions aren't instructions, they're 4 pages of pictures with labels. It's adequate for sure, but that seems to be Topmodelcz's solution the language problem.

The sucker has the best construction and workmanship I've ever seen in any ARF I've ever touched. The design is also cutting edge. Speaking of edges, look closely at the leading edges. They're carbon fiber rod. You can't see the quality in the glass work of the fuselage, but it's just about perfect for competition. I was expecting sort of a step beyond an everyday thermal ARF, and was quite surprised to see how big a step this is beyond just a weekend flyer. It will do the weekend job for sure, but be prepared to have a touch more effort required to tune and sort the sucker.

It will hunt like gangbusters. With the flaps straight back it's cruise is fast, so fast even the inexperienced flyers will comment. It's 2.5, somewhat narrow chord wing WILL wiggle when it brushes lift. So far I'm still getting used to it. I've had fast hunters before but that was years back and they weren't this fast. I've tried hunting with the flaps at thermal setting, but that's still a work in progress. The flap setting for spoiling or landing is still being sorted too. I've only had a couple of flapped birds. Always preferred spoilers.

I ran into a couple of problems so far. Gotta go right now, so will have to get back to you on them. None were show stoppers, just surprises.

It's worth more than it's price.