Hello All,
I have watched this thread from its conception and I have to say, the UCD is a great plane for someone learning to do acrobatics. When you go and put a Saito 1.00 in it, you are above the novice level and you should have throttle control under control.
When you are buying a plane that is massed produced, you are going to get some bad ones. Everybody has a bad day, even the folks at Great Planes, so accidents in manufacturing will happen. The simple fact that they are replacing defective airplanes shows their devotion to customers.
I have a UCD and I love it. I am far from an advanced pilot, but I fly it like I stole it and have never had any problems. I flew it in fifteen mile and hour winds and landed from a harrier at about three feet off the ground (when the wind just stopped... [:@]). Needless to say, the gear broke out, but nothing else. A little epoxy and I was flying again.
Like I said, the airplane is a trainer for acrobatics. It is not the top of the line 3D plane, but one to get you there. I think Great Planes did a great job and I recommend this plane to anyone that has mastered a trainer. It takes off straight and true, lands better than my trainer and will flip, roll and loop better than I can ask.
I just wanted to say some good things about this plane, because not very many people have. We all have one, and we are all flying the wheel pants off of it, so lets just go flying and tell everybody what it will do! What has everybody done to mix controls and flight surfaces? I just want to get away from the complaints and get back to the fun!


Red