Dave Patrick Extra 330L opinions
Here's my PROs and CONs for this model:
Dave Patrick's Extra 330 with Moki 2.10
(flew over 40 flights; sold to Chris at our field)
PROs:
Decent sport plane.
Decent torque roller if you rock the CG way back.
Excellent parts fit.
Quick and easy assembly.
Engine Selection:
The engine choice was underpowered for 3D. A 50cc gasser would probably be better. UPDATE #1: Flew Chris's DP 330 with the Taurus 3.2... nice motor. It ran real smooth on the first flight. UPDATE #2: The Taurus is breaking in now and has very respectable vertical pull. A few flame-outs and some rough running at times... but it's starting to get better. If the weight is comparable... I think the DA-50 will be the ticket come spring time for planes this size, though. :-)
CONs:
Inaccurately advertised for most of 2001 as an 11-12 lb, 1.20 glow engine, 3D plane. The all up weight is going to average 14.5 lbs with a YS-1.20 (and will have very disappointing performance) or average 16 lbs with an appropriate gasser. UPDATE #1: DPM changed the website to read 12-13.5 lbs (still inaccurately advertised, however). UPDATE #2: DPM changed the weight again to 13-14.5 lbs (close, but no cigar).
A hard to arrive at recommended CG that is incorrect anyway... to add insult to injury DPM offers a totally unacceptable workaround to arrive at this undesirable CG location. Do not run six cables and six controls horns on the back of your plane. Bring the CG in between 6-7" instead.
There is something in the design that just keeps it from flying right when flying 3D. Maybe the main wing not being scale, maybe the horizontal stab not being scale. I don't know, but something.
Poor quality hardware (especially the pushrods) that will fail if used.
Basically just too heavy.