I finally maidened the Brio...

BEST KNIFE-EDGE PLANE EVAR!!!! This thing KE's like its on rails. Its definatly a pattern plane. Nice BIG loops, clean verticals, stops on points very well.

It KE's so well, slow rolls take very little rudder input. I was over controlling it in the slow rolls with too much rudder. Im pretty sure its capable of KE loops.

I thought the ailerons were going to be very fast due to their size, but at the rates suggested in the manual, its really docile, and smooth.

I would suggest NOT using the included spinner. Even with the holes in the cowl, lack of airflow over over the motor causes high temps. I removed the included spinner on mine, and the motor ran at perfect temps.

The 480 has plenty of power, I havent tried hovering it yet, but I think it would do it. The verticals were fantastic. Pull the nose up and it climbs like very well. The large fuselage provides just the right amount of drag, so that the plane maintains a constant airspeed.

Even in a stiff crosswind, the plane held level flight very well. Tracks clean and smooth.

BIG maneuvers. Just like a 2m pattern plane. Loops can be big and round, 4 point rolls are really nice. The plane defines the points really well with a nice snappy lock in on each point.

I honestly believe in a skilled pilots hands, this plane is capable of performing just fine in a Sportsman or Intermediate class pattern contest against the larger 2m planes.

Im gonna try it and see what happens at the next pattern competition.

Ive only got two flights on it so far, so more to come.