Just an update,

I now have 45 flights on the model. The power system has been flawless. I am still learning about support equipment, mainly the size of the source battery for charging at the field. It takes a BIG one. I bought a 130 amp/hour deep cycle 12 volt lead/acid battery, and in 3 charges of the model's packs it's down. So then I go fishing for cars in the parking lot that have strong batteries! Got to be careful, easy to drain them to where you can't start the car. But this is just small points to learn.

My Orbit chargers seem to be working great. I really like the rugged construction, and while they may be a little slow to fully charge the pack, in 40 minutes or so the pack is charged enough to fly. I will get another Orbit Pro, so I'll have two capable of 8 amp charge rate.

The motor/controller have been perfect. It's hard to describe just how easy flying this is. Just install the charged pack, point the model down the taxiway, turn it on, move the throttle trim up to where the controller starts the motor, and your off. Need to delay the take-off? Just move the trim down to shut-off the motor. Turn it back on when you can go. After the flight, taxi back, turn off the radio, remove the batteries to charge and your done. No kneeling in front to start. No mixture adjustment. No cleaning the model. Etc., etc. I don't know how it gets any simpler.

I could not be happier with the flight performance to date. I really think for a 2 meter pattern model it is as nearly perfect as I have ever seen. Smooth, predictable power all the time. No flame-outs, no poor mixture settings, just consistent power output. Only time will tell just what issues the batteries may have, but so far it has been great.

The Partner is an exceptional design. My hat's off to Quique for the design, and to PL for an outstanding product. It is as good a pattern model as I have ever been hooked up with. In fact, it's really better. It's hard for me to distinguish between what the power system is adding to this and what is the model's design, but this package is exceptional.

Now one of the best points. I know many may say I have always been too picky about my servos. But for every glow model I have had since I quit using .60's, in 30-40 flights the aileron servo pots will have worn enough for me to feel. I've seen it too many times. So far, with 45 flights on the Partner, the servos are still good as new. OK, maybe that will sound more impressive when I have 200, 300, or 400 flights on it, but the trend so far is positive.

So far this has been nothing but a glowing report. What is the downside? So far, the only one I can see is cost. Getting everything you need to fly this size electric is not cheap. Set aside the motor/controller, as it is about the same as a top pattern motor/pipe/mount combo. But you're going to spend some real dollars on batteries, chargers, source batteries, the chargers for them, temperature sensors, IOW, electric infrastructure. Now if you really look at all the infrastructure you may own to fly glow models, it's not really a whole lot different. But it is a big bite all at once.

I really don't think that the electric will be the same cost as glow. I just think in the long run, it will be more expensive. Not a lot more expensive, but I don't think it will be equal for quite some time. I look at it as the cost of what I perceive as all the advantages. Just another thing to absorb to play the game.

All in all, I am very satisfied. It has really been a lot of fun. Can't wait to get started on the Lazulite.