Hi All/theres so many cool new electrics out in this class that its hard to choose only one. i really wanted to get a pattern plane in this class and it was hard not to walk out of the shop without the E-Flight Brio 10 i was looking at or waiting for the new Fliton inspire mini... i also wanted to get a slightly larger built up 3D plane than my current mini edge 540.. the Extreme Flight Extra 300 or New Yak 54 have been going through my mind lately. if thats not enough to drive a guy crazy theres also the new Andrew Jesky Extra 300 by fliton around the corner with a 51'' wingspan designed for electric. some of the planes i have wanted to purchase would require new motors gear etc. with my current gear and some swapping of power systems the seagull extra fit my current budget and accessorys well. its not much more expensive than some of the smaller depron arfs currently available and has some nice specs.

Specs: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=SEA7000

im very pleased so far with the fit and qaulity of this plane. theres some minor concerns but flying and time will tell. this plane has very little left to assemble and should go together in about an evening when i have time. theres a nice instrument panel applied in cockpit and theres no need to glue canopy down its already secured from the factory. the battery mounting is a little different.. theres a tray system to install battery in plane/i'll probally modify this later for easier use. the landing gear seems rather strong and the wingtube is made of metal.. these are two areas you could probally cut down on weight if needed. i plan to set it up by the manual and later add a tail wheel and make changes or modifications as needed for my type of flying.

The gear i'll be using for this build is as follows.

E-Flite 480 outrunner 1020kv with 12x6e apc to start
E-Flite 40 amp esc
4 hitec hs 65's
thunder power 2100 3 cell pro lites
Spektrum DX6 Radio

I scooped this one up too! It was a must have at the price. The quality is typical Seagull. Very nice fitment of parts...built light, but strong where it needs to be. Covering is primo. Landing gear is nothing short of bomb proof. The gear block and attachment method could be the only drawback. I plan to use the Eflite Park 480, Eflite 40 amp ESC, TP 2100 Pro Lite, and APC 12x4.5 E prop. Haven't decided on servos yet. Pretty remarkable how the electric designs have flooded the market lately. It seems like the selection of small Rx's and servos, and such has gotten a lot better too. Probably going to go with some digital servos. I am pretty sure I will build this one just as it comes from the factory. I think it will be a great flying airplane. With luck I'll be able to give a flight report soon.

well its a little after 4am here. i ended up starting the build tonight instead of tomorrow. just some odds and ends to finish up then install radio gear. im gonna use some typhoon wheels for the maiden just until i can pick up some light wheel collars.. i wasnt thrilled to have the ends of gear come out of the sides of wheel pants like build calls for. i should have an AUW weight by tomorrow and maybe a maiden report if it isnt raining and the winds are 10 mph or less.. who am i kidding.. winds were probally 15 to 20 mph and i flew my mini edge and typhoon today . would hate to wreck a new plane that im not familar with because its to windy. havent seen any flight reports on this one yet but others have come up in the 29 ounce range so far.. good luck with yours Aeronaut. i think it will fly well for me.. im not huge into 3D so if it isnt a floater or easy to hover i'll still have fun with it and probally fly precission stuff and use it for a camera ship.

well its finally done. its still raining.. hopefully the skys clear for a maiden today. AUW came out to 31 ounces.. no excessive glue or anything i'll see how it flys and decide if i should cut some weight.

ok let me start by saying im a newer pilot and no 3D pro.. that being said heres my findings. made two 8 minute flights in windy conditions.. could fly longer on packs but didnt want to come up short on power trying to land in cross winds. i became comfortable with the extra fairly quick. it does an excellent knife edge.. very little coupling with my set up.. inverted is good with minor down elevator.. rolls are nice and sharp/loops well without snaping using moderation on elevator.. it can snap at higher speeds when maximum elevator deflection is used.. this results in around a 6 to 8 foot diameter loop/on more conservative rates it loops very well and straight. it tracks very well and holds lines good even in the windy conditions i maidened mine in. flat spins were nice inverted but didnt try them upright/stall turns aka hammerheads were very nice. harriers were nice but i did get slight wing rock and it was probally do to the wind. it hovered well with good control with little torque roll tendancies. did i say it knife edges well ? i started knife edges a minute or two into the maiden it does them very well. the hardcore guys or gals may feel its slightly underpowerd for extreme 3D but mine came in at 31 ounces so it isnt gonna rocket vertical with the 480 like it does in 18 to 25 ounce planes like ive used it in before.. vertical is respectable but not "FOAMY POWER''. i think sport pilots like myself will really like it and hardcore 3D pilots will like it but want a little more power. it flew very precise for me.. snap rolls were quick and sharp. im using hs 65s all around so it helps with response and crispness during aerobatics. first thing im doing is adding a tail wheel but that will be about it for now. very pleased with first two flights.

My Set Up:
E-Flite 480 1020kv
E-Flite 40 amp esc
APC 12x6E
Hitec hs 65s x 4
Thunder Power 2100 Pro Lite
Spektrum DX6

Heres a very short clip of wind conditions: http://media.putfile.com/Wind-Coditi...-Maiden-Flight

i ended up just putting on the wheel pants per manual/its not very noticable and your not gonna notice the way there mounted in the air. im looking forward to first impressions on this planes flight performance from others.. im still having visions of how well it knife edged. should be fun next weekend if i have time to fly it some more.

heres the throws and expo i ran on hi rates.. it was first flights so these settings may change but worked well for 3D on maiden.

Ailerons 1 and 5/8s inches Up And Down 70% expo
Elevator 2 and 3 quarters inches Up And Down 70% expo
Rudder 3 inches left and right

also when using hitec hs 65s youll need different ez connectors than the ones provided with the kit/i used dubro ez connectors.

Video of throws and servo action: http://media.putfile.com/Extra-300-H...ervo-Action-46

got some onboard footage... i was getting eatin alive by bugs and cars decided to drive down the normally peaceful runway [X(].

Video: http://media.putfile.com/Onboard-Seagull-Extra-300