I am recently returning to RC after about 20 years. I feel that I used to be a very good sport pilot and flight instructor with the Simi Valley Fliers (CA). I dabbled in Pattern and flew in a contest at Mile Square Park (3rd place, but got shot down on last flight). I have been flying over the past 5 months a Great Planes Reflection flat foamie and been having a lot of fun.
I am thinking about taking the next step and am considering two different planes. My interests are sport aerobatics, 3D, and fun flying (maybe some contests later). The U Can Do 3D appears to be a very good flying sport / 3D machine. The other is the Great Planes Extra 300S 1.60.
I really like the Extra but with the motor and kit there is a $200 delta in price. I like the extra's 'scale' appearance and airfoil shaped control surfaces (versus the slabs on the UCD). One of the biggest differences I noticed is the performance in Real Flight simulator. I really like the control response of the scale aerobatic planes (Extra, Giles, Yak, etc). The UCD (in the simulator) seems to be a little more sluggish. I would appreciate anyones feedback on the flying capabilities of both of these airplanes. Is the simulation in RealFlight accurate? I have found with my Reflection that the flight simulator does a pretty good job of simulating the flight characteristics of the flat foamie.
RC Universe's reviews of both these airplanes is very good so I probably cannot go wrong with either one.

I would apprecriate anyones feedback.

Thanks
Tony

Hi Tony and welcome back to the addiction.

I own the Extra 300S Gene Soucy version (160 size) and have flown the UCD 60 more than once using a Saito 100.

The Extra when using the OS160FX and an 18x6W prop is a beauty to fly and does pattern and IMAC sequences very well with very little pitch coupling and no roll coupling at all and can slow to a crawl when landing. It is said it can 3D and I have been able to with mine but when compared to the UCD it's no contest. The UCD blows away the Extra in 3D.

In my expereince flying someone elses UCD it is very stable at super low speeds and a very nose high attiude. I did the first hover on this plane and just came down the runway really slow, added a couple of clicks of power and full elevator and stood it right onto it's tail. I got it to do great parachutes, waterfalls, inverted flat spins, blenders and KE spins and when I landed it I probably would have been able to walk along right with it. It does IMAC sequences well, but not as good as the Extra (two very different planes), and I never tried the FA3 sequences on the UCD. The UCD does have a good amount of pitch and roll coupling but nothing you cannot mix out with a decent computer radio or just fly around it if you desire.

So if you want decent 3D, sport and fun flying get the UCD. If you want mild 3D, great sport, pattern and IMAC type flying get the Extra

BTW...Both planes are configured by the book with no changes in the recommended CG settings and control throws

Especially after being out of the hobby for 20 years, I would say go with the UCD. It has a WAY lighter wingloading and is easier to fly because of it. I am simply not a big fan of the GP 300S because of it's weight compared to wingloading, so I am a bit biased. Still, we had a guy join our club that hadn't flown in 30 years and bought the Patty as a first comeback plane. He confettied it on his first attemt to fly solo. It is also way under-powered with the OS 160, and way too heavy with the current line of gas engines available.
I recommend the UCD.

With a call sign like "3-D Tony", it could indicate where you are heading? If you are doing well at 3-D with the foamy and simulator you are ready for a glow at least. Gassers are more $$$. I am definately biased because I have had 2 60 UCD's & love 'em. A 60 UCD will do all the 3-D stuff but I found it did not harrier well until I modified it. (all the mods are in the UCD thread)You want good thrust/weight,1.5:1 or more,I use OS 1.08,8lbs dry weight. You want an engine that runs perfect,at idle,mid-range and high end,nothing else will do. When you get into 3-D with a glow or gas,you will have to experiment with different props,you want lower pitch(I use Zinger 17X5 cut down & tapered to 16.5X5) to get quick spool ups and lower speeds at high throttle. I've used many other sizes & pitch but they all pulled too much,would always be climbing in a hover. The UCD is only $155 if you use the Tower Special add #,so its cheap,no major worry and will get you pretty far into the 3-D realm if you are willing to tweak it a bit & practice. When you get board with a "Do",you might want to move on to 3-D planes with more conventional air foils,YAK,Extra,Giles,Caps ect... & so forth...people like the looks of a scale aerobat,many hate the "Do"'s awkward appearance.( I could care less myself because I'm having fun!!!!)

Tony,
of the two you picked, I would definitely start with the UCD. However, I woud consider it a mild 3D plane also. Very good for learning to hover and torque roll, good at knife edge once you mix out the coupling, but that's about it. It does fly traditional aerobatics well for a knock around plane. I have the 60 size and find it a pleasure to fly. Still, I have a basement of true 3D planes I would grab before the UCD if I'm in the mood for 3D (funny, I always am). All in all, My opinion is the UCD is a great choice for getting back into the hobby and as a basic introductory to 3D.

Best of luck,
Dave

Thanks a lot for everyone's input. I just ordered the UCD. I really like the looks of the Extra but with price of the kit and motor it was going to be quite a bit more. I have no doubt I will have a blast with it.

Thanks again

Tony

You'll never be sorry owning a UCD. It's one of the finest airplanes out there. The move planes I buy and the more money I spend...makes me like the UCDs better. They are incredibly easy to fly and will do any 3D stunt. My favorite is the blender with a rising flat spin at the end. Not very many planes with do that, no matter what the price.

I've tried the Mayhem (another very good design) the Showtime, the Funtana, the EF Yak, the Velox, all of which are supposed to be pretty upscale airplanes. I like the UCD the best. It may not do all things as well as some, but it will do everything, and it's just a riot to fly. One of my favorite planes.

The only advice I'd give would be to go with a YS110 or Saito 125 for power. It took me a year to move from my Saito 100 to the YS 110 and I couldn't believe how much better I liked the plane. It made every stunt easier and better looking. You do have to be VERY careful with power management though. Another suggestion is to go with very good servos. At least HS5625 on the tail and HS 645 on the ailerons and HS5645 on the rudder. This also effects the way the bird flys.

I just fly mine the last three days. Had the time of my life. I love the plane. I also have the 46 and I'm building the Giant.

Good luck with yours.

Thanks
Barry

Oh another thing I'd do...change the tail wheel to one like off the Sig Mayhem. Wouldn't even build it with the stock wheel. Other than that, I'd enjoy it.

Thanks
Barry

I second the good servo thing. I can't remember what I have in my UCD, but I know they're strong and fast. I think that's one of the single most important things you can do (pardon the pun) to make your planes fly better.

Just finishing up mine with a MVVS 2 stroke piped 1.20. The only servos I had were 5945s and 5925s. Ready to install the engine/ throttle servo and fly. After flying a buddies with a Surpass 1.20 I Can't Wait!

5945's are awesome! I have a 120 AX 2 stroke in my Katana 70. 120 2 strokers kick major butt!

Well I got my UCD in the mail on Friday. Unfortunately you could tell there was some damage to the box. At first it looked like just the aileron had a very minute dent (which I was willing to accept), upon further inspection I noticed the wing had pieces bouncing around inside. Two of the ribs are definitely broken.
I am bummed I cannot start building but I feel better after calling Tower. They are immediately sending a new kit and put in a claim to UPS. I have bought a fair amount of stuff from Tower and have been very happy. I am in Southern California and if the items I order are sent from Reno I get them the day after they ship (on standard shipping).

Thanks again for all of the feedback. Sounds like I picked a very popular aircraft (especially from the 120 page post out there).

Tony