Hi guys,
I have come across the term 3d several times in r/c magazines, but no explanation on what type of flying it is?

Can someone describe what 3d is all about??

norm

3D flying can be described as a style of flying which can not be performed with the engine turned off. Lots of high alpha (high angle of attack) flying. Hovering (hanging the plane on the prop) and torque rolling are major parts of 3D. Waterfalls (flips) and elevators (plane falls strait down with the nose pointed strait foreword or slightly up) are also 3D maneuvers.

Touching the tail in a hover...

Hovereing low...

Torque roll...

This is a harrier. A harrier is flying strait and level, only really slow, therefore the nose is extremely high (high alpha)

thanks rcflyer86

that looks like one big challenge!!

Next question -- does it take a special plane to do 3d??
and what are the differences to other aerobatic planes like a pattern plane for example??

norm

Well, to do 3D, it is best to have a profile plane or a 29% or bigger scale aerobatic plane like an edge, extra, cap etc... A good profile plane is a Morris Hobbies Sledge-540. I have a laner pro-twister, which is awesome. About the pattern plane. A pattern plane is designed for extremely smooth aerobatics, that is why they have such a long tail moment. A pattern plane is not a 3D plane. Other aerobatic planes such as a 40 or 60 size would not be good 3D planes. for some reason the small planes do not 3D as good as the big ones. The bigger that plane, the more stable it is. All of the planes in the pictures above are 40% scale. The have about a 10 foot wingspan.

This is my profile plane, the pro-twister.

Here's an ARF for $189.00 :spinnyeye

I should add that I bought that pro-twister for $75 and the os 46 for another $75. Cheap cheap airplane, but it sure flys awesome.

Can someone tell me if this would be an OK 3d plane ??
I have a 3w 75 and need a plane to glue it to.

http://www.modeldesign.com.au/Extra330S.html

norm

Yeah I've been checking out this plane too.

Very cheap for its size, in case you guys from the US dont know the exchange rates, that kit is about $250 US!!!!!!!!!!

Pity the servos for this size plane are so expensive.

Im not very experienced in big planes or 3D, but the control surfaces look big enough to me.

What size servos would you guys recomend for this plane?

Basically 3D flying is taking a fixed wing flying aircraft and performing aerobatic maneuvers at close to and even under the planes flying stall speed. The aircraft looks as if it will just fall out of the sky any moment , but for some strange reason it doesn't.
There are also 3d maneuvers that take the aircraft into some really violent changes in attitude and speed starting from a normal flying condition. ( Blenders, Parachutes and tumbles are a few). Helis on the other hand define 3d a little differently. There versions of 3d are maneuvers that allow the helis to virtually defy gravity itself while pirouetting and twisting in any direction .

well i throw my 02 cents in

3d= any manuver that is not an airplane's capable flight path.
in other words if it looks like an airplane isnt capable of doing it i would call it a 3d manuver.
Chad

From what I can tell...that plane would be AWESOME! a general rule of thumb is 90" wingspan or higher is needed for good 3D, and with a 92" span that planes looks like it would be great. A 3W 75 would be an awesome engine for it too.

I great 3D plane is an Edge-540. a Carden 35% edge won the xfc, so you know its a good plane. I dont think you can get a Carden where you are though. here is the website just incase you want to take a look. www.carden-aircraft.com also look at aeroworks at www.aero-works.net and one more....aerotech www.aerotech-rcmodels.com They all make great kits.

learn 3D on? If so, whats a good engine? I might be able to get a Saito 180 fairly cheap if I decide on it. Also, servos? I'm sure standard servos don't have enough torque. Thanks a lot, Jordan

35% and up will be the best 3D flyin planes:rolleyes

I agree, but a 29% AW edge is pretty good for a tighter budget

If I were you I would find an OS 1.60 FX, its a gret engine for that plane. www.ohiomodelplanes.com has an 80" wing profile edge, IMO that would be a better plane.

It's cheaper and I like it better. Is the OS 1.60 best for the Edge too? Also do you think the split ailerons are worth the extra money for servos? Do you think it could fly on standard servos?
Jordan

I would put a Moki 2.10 on the edge. I would not put the split ailerons on it either. Just go with some high torque (110 oz. in.) servos and you should be just fine. I am sure the OS would be ok, but I saw one fly with the 2.10 on it and it was AWESOME. I think the kit is laser cut.....something that the AW is not. the AW plans for the AW really suck too, I would go with the OMP edge.

rcflyer why did you recomend such a big servo for the omp edge gs 540.

man dont go that route with the servo's i have already been there done that. the plane will come out way to heavy. and that 1.60 won't pull a 15 lb plane out of a hover very well. just remeber to stay as light as posible. if you put the flaps on your adding more wieght with 2 more servo's ,
by the way the instructions recomend mid grade servo's 60 to 70 inch puonds you have 2 on the elevator and 2 on hte rudder. the plane does not fly fast!!!
just my .o2 cents
Chad

what engine did you stick on it? The Moki seems WAY out of the recommended engine size. Are you sure? Oh yeah, what servos did you use Chad? Thanks, Jordan