I wasnt aware that one of top performing IMAC/Freestyle airplanes in the world was considered "heavy". Cardens are very nice airplanes and are light when compared to many other planes in their class. I suppose some of these guys see cardens as great airplanes, maybe you have heard of a few of them.

Frank Noll Jr.
Mike McConville
Mike Sauls
Billy Shaw
Jason Danhakl
Don McLellan
Ivan Kristensen
Brian Hanna
Joey Hamilton
Tony Bonanno
Blaine Austin
Matt Stek
Scott Russel
Dan Rocha
Bill Cline
Team Flatout
Jason Noll

There are other planes that fly on the same level (but not a stock H9 plane) but for the past few years I think carden has been a proven winner. The reason a lot of people dont "just get a carden" is b/c they are a kit and they are expensive.

Yes, they are considered heavy, maybe that is why they fly well? Either way, they are very nice, but Ill never buy one in kit form, maybe RTF. Just my opinion.

Well they are expensive kits....BUT they are worth every penny!!! What your paying for is there well thought out design! They are awesome planes period!!

Layne
Have you seen Blaine and Mike fly together? Man those boys now how to fly!!!!

You know Stomper I havent actually gotten around to see either one of them in person yet (just lots of videos). I am a memeber of the Blaine Austin Extreme Aerobatic group but I havent had a chance to make it to an event yet. I only got around to seeing a few of the big boys fly this past year (quique, shulman, goldsmith). This year will be different b/c I have all plans to head up to Joe Nall and stay for a few days .

JohnVH

How much does your 1/3 scale H9 Sukhoi weigh (with the weight added to balance included)?

Layne, with the 1lb of dead weight it weighs 24lbs. In a week or two when I take it out, 23lbs, then after the CF treatment, who knows.

Mine is getting the CF treatment before I fly it. I dont think I will be able to get it down to 21.25 but 22.5 would be a nice weight with the ZDZ 80.

What counter measures are you doing to make up for the 1 lb that your taking off the nose? Keep in mind that those CF mains weigh 10 oz. less than the stock gear and that weight is towards the front as well. I am going to bring my rudder servos to the inside on a pull pull system and a CF tailwheel. If it still doesnt balance within a half decent place I might move the wing (though I hate to do that kinda stuff).

CF tailwheel and moving the rudder to a pull pull, probably not CF main gear at this point yet.

Well guys my sukhoi for me has now come to an end. I was looking back at this post and saw what I said about all the engines. I had the GT80 on there since just last November and I put a 3w106 on it. The GT80 did me well. It did everything I wanted it to do. Hover rollin harrier, harriers, and other 3d stuff. It also taught me a lot and really help me with 3d flying. With the 106 I was only able to gain torque rolls and just a faster pull out. After flying it in the last two freestyles I did I decided to finally retire it just in June and now I have a awesome new G3 QQ Yak 102" going. GT80 did me fine and so did the 3w106. Now it is Yak and Extra 260 time!!!