David,

I never intended at all to take anything away from the ZN Line kits. In my opinion if you want to build it. Then The ZN line stuff is the only way to go. I know that ZN stuff can be built very light. I have considered building another ZN line model. I have built 5 ZN planes since 99, and 3 PL Prod models as well in the time. I personally chose the ZN Line kits for their quality. I spent some time with the Oxai stuff and found that they did things right and made me happy with the way the models are built. Naruke a 2 time world champ, and the Wolfgang Matt a 2 time world champ in his own right choose to fly the Oxai stuff. These guys have specific requirements on their models and require Oxai to meet certain standards. Weight is one of those standards that these guys demand.

I choose the products I choose based on their performance and some of that is weight related and some of that is durability related. Not all my choices in equipment are the lightest in all my models.

I applaud your efforts on the Supreme. The Supreme is a great model. I really enjoy mine. I am not willing to compromise the looks of the model to go with Ultracote lite Transparent with the wood grain showing on the sheeted surfaces. I'm also not as good as you at painting. My models are lighter than the limit and I'm happy with their performance where it it is. I have flown lighter stuff and I have flown heavy near the limit pigs. My opinion is anything in the 10-10.5lbs on glow is fine.

It is very difficult to tell the difference in the model between 10.25-10.75. Down around 10lbs you can tell its pretty light and up above 10.75 you can tell its heavier. BUT let me ask this question: When was the last time you were flying and it was 10mins into the flight and you kept saying man this model flies so much better now than it did 10mins ago? Well the difference was about 1lb of fuel or maybe more. I know for a fact there are very few out there that can tell the difference from beginning of the flight to the end of the flight in how the model performs. There is a difference I having flown a ton over the last few few years when I'm connected and flying the model on a daily basis I know when things are changing. But the question to the guys in the masses when was the last time you forgot to start a timer and landed only how the model felt (weight wise) based on fuel used?

Oh and to set the record straight CPLR in Florida 99' had a lead weight on his CG to make the model weigh up near the 5kg limit. I heard he did the same in Ireland in 2001 and, and Poland in 2003. I have heard that CPLR's models are 9-9.25lbs before the ballast and I believe that. But you know he is a 4 Time World Champ. So I think maybe he has something on us. Why would he be loading up dead weight in his model.....? Could it be the windy conditions at the worlds? Could it be something else?



I look at the weight limit like the noise limit. If you pass you pass. With todays' powerplants its not an issue. This sport is great in that it inspires design, building, and piloting. You bring your stuff and I bring my stuff and in the end we see who has the best score on the sequence. You do it your way and I do it my way and the end result is we keep score.

BY the way I have a huge amount of time on my Supremes and would like to fly yours to see what a 9lb version flies like....However I don't think I could get over the 2 stroke motor. Again a choice (YS DZ's) that is based not on weight but personal preference.

One thing to really think about in building an electric model is you need to be as absolutely light as possible. Most of the setups out there are pushing the weight limit. In fact at the NATS last year most non FAI finalist electric models flew without wheel pants, some without spinners, and I know some even didn't have a switch on the RX battery pack. This is all weight and when the model is 1-3oz over weight you have to get it to the limit however possible. I feel Electric models will drive the technology even further in terms of model design and materials. You have to weigh absolutely everything to make sure you electric pattern model makes weight. A good builder and a ZN kit will make it if proper choices are made. A Pinnacle Electric will make it too if proper choices are made.

Troy