That's cool you guys are building a T2k and a Tempest. It'll be interesting to see how much different they are, and how alike they are in other areas. I'm really looking forward to some feedback. I know the Tempest isn't perfect, no plane is. But it's definitely competetive and agile. That fuse simply limits a few things. When you fix one thing, something else suffers a little.

I can say this about the Tempest, after darn near 1000 flights. When it's on, it's awesome. If you're off with it in just the right wind conditions, you'll have your hands full. But them most planes are like that. They have some things they do well and some not quite so good.

The snapping capability of this plane is awesome. It snaps and spins better than any plane I have ever flown, very precision and contollable. It's very stable inverted. It's very sensitive to rudder input, and all of the control throws are tamed on regular box flying, only cranked up for snaps and spins. It lands very easy for a pattern plane. It tracks well in 90% of wind conditions, and the other 10% you simply have to lead the rudder a little more than with other planes.

Which leads me to things I don't like, and couldn't really change with it. It's taken me a LOT of flying to find any real weaknesses, but here they are, in my opinion.

In certain wind conditions, especially turbulent crosswinds, it's a lot of work to keep the wings level. I believe this to be an effect of the radical taper. This is the trade off for doing other things so well. Stay on top of it and it's not an issue.

What little mix it needs is strange. While it pitches a bit noticably in down lines and somewhat on flat lines, it doesn't pitch much at all in knife edge. We're only talking 3-4% here, but it's noticable and if you want PERFECT, you'll need to get a little creative. The truth is it's very easy to just fly and ignore, it doesn't pitch nearly as hard as practically anything else I've ever flown. Again I think it's a trade off for the radical taper.

Since snaps and spins are such high K manuevers, and especially at advanced and above, I prefer the snapping capabilities and the smal touch of odd habit the taper displays. I took a little of it out on my new plane because I think it's on the very edge. Some people it may drive crazy, I guess. So far everyone that has flown it has loved it and marveled at how easy it does a lot of things. It's definitely a better plane than the T2K for the upper classes, no doubt. In sportsman, I'd prefer the T2K. Maybe intermediate too. But advanced and above, definitely the Tempest if I had to choose between the 2. Just fly advanced or masters in a high wind with both, then you tell me [8D]

I still love it, and won't get rid of mine. It's been the best plane I've ever had, hands down.

-Mike