I have been involved with Oxai since they started bringing in the models into the USA. I have the first Pinnacle to fly in the USA and I think it is serial number 3 and was the first model to be painted in their normal wild paint scheme.

The wings on this original Pinnacle were 14.5oz out of the box. Right now I just put them on the scale and they are 16.3oz flying.

My new Pinnacle from Last year that I flew at the NATS in my color scheme was in the batch of models where some of them had heavier wing panels. Not all of those models but some of them had wings heavier than 16oz per panel out of the box. My model was one of those. My wings on this model are 18oz flying. The normal weight for the Pinnacle wings is around 14.5-15.5oz per panel out of the box.

In that time between my first and second models the construction techniques changed to make the models lighter. The fuse is now a molded balsa as shown in Stuarts' photos. The weight on Fuse was reduced by about 6oz even though the wings got a little heavier in the paint dept...the total model was still 2-3oz less than the original. They both fly identical. I have the same travels, same CG and they are trimmed the same. In fact since playing with the second model a little bit I think it snaps a better than the first. My first model is 10lb 11oz and right now my second model is at 10lb 8oz. This is with a YS160/170 on a metal Hatori Pipe and a 2oz header tank up front.

Oxai has also taken steps to insure that no more wings that are too heavy leave the factory. This is all a learning process for the guys here in the USA selling Oxai and I have been helping them out so that we the modelers get what we need in terms of a top quality model. All the models were weighed before they were sent out to customers except for one or two of this last batch and those models had replacement wings built as they did not meet the specs. Oxai stands behind their product and so does Sam Johnson at OXAI USA.

The Electric Pinnacle has a different wing tube it is a 1" tube rather than the 30mm tube in the glow versions. This weight savings is almost 1.5oz. Another note as shown in Stuarts' photos all the ducting and such is done in the Pinnacle fuse and the fuse is actually 8oz lighter as an electric fuse than the completed glow fuse. And the wing overall is lighter since the tube size changed on the electric. The overall Airframe of the electric Pinnacle is about 2150g where the glow versions were up at about 2350-2400g.

This makes the Electric Pinnacle at 2150g around 4.75lbs airframe only. Add in Landing gear struts for another 4oz and its right at 5lbs. Of note I flew ZN Line Supreme models 2 years ago and these models completed at 5.75lbs each with landing gear struts no wheels or pants and the models flew at around 10lb 6oz.

My personal feeling on an electric Pinnacle is that the models will come in about 10.5 to 10.75lbs flying with the 5300 THP batts and a Hacker C50 14XL. This will require the assembly person (Pilot) to watch what he installs for equipment and how he does things. AS with all electric pattern models. There are lots of places to pick up weight from the switch harness choice to the wheels and Wheel Pants and the RX battery. How you build your battery tray and the likes.

So far I'm very proud of the models that people are flying out there. Everybody I have talked to about their Pinnacle has been really happy with its flying and the quality of the construction and detail. I know many of the guys that have purchased Oxai planes have bought them a second time around also. I know about 7-8 people that have been repeat customers. This says a ton for the guys like Sam that work hard to make this product available. As Allen stated above the Price is much higher in other countries for the same models and Oxai is selling lots of models around the world. Just look at how many were at the Worlds in France and also the switch that Roland Matt made to go with Oxai. This is a big Kudos to the folks at Oxai.

These models are not for everyone! They are High end models and fly like High end models. Care must be taken in choosing equipment and the finish work to complete them. I have the original Pinnacle now with Approaching 800 flights. It is and outstanding model still today. After the NATS this year it will have been around 2 full years and flying as my Primary model for most of that time.

By the way I live in the same town as Sam Johnson with Oxai USA and have been working with him in regards to these models. I don't make a dime on them, and I'm not sponsored by OXAI. I'm a customer too. I have a new Pinnacle also since Feb. and as time permits I will be happy to share with you guys its progress and some of the details.

As always with me I tell you what I’m using and why I choose it. The Pinnacle is one of the absolute best models I have ever flown. It flies well in windy conditions and calm. It sits well in the air and presents excellent.

Troy Newman