Well here we go... I finished building the Pulse XT, and took it out yesterday. I again checked the balance with was right on at 2.75 inches without adding any weight! This plane was so easy to build, everything was done and documented in the manual so you could not make a mistake! After running two tanks of fuel through the OS.46 FX, I decided it was time to take to the air... with a gentle taxi (on grass), to the hold line, I turned the aircraft into the wind and advanced the throttle gradually to get a feel for the rudder response. I decided to use Duel Rate on the rudder since it was so big and responsive. I am one who likes realism in my flying, so most controls are gradual and precise like the real thing. She accelerated quickly, and with a slight bit of back pressure, lifted into the sky and quickly accelerated. With virtually no trim added she climbed out smoothly and tracking straight.

Once in pattern I did add a bit of down trim to maintain level flight, and a slight bit of right aileron to keep level, and then it was hands off! This plane tracks is if on a rail, and is very quick to respond to control input. I switched all the duel rates on, and still had more than enough control. I was quickly retarding the engine to about 3/4 throttle and it was still moving right along, and maintaining course and altitude. At this point I was confident that any standard aerobatics would be fine, so I began performing the normal inverted flight, loops, and rolls which seemed effortless. I had programmed my radio for an UP-Right Snap roll, so after coming out of the loop and climbing, I initiated the snap, it was a bit clumsy, so I disengaged the duel rates, and tried again, WOW! Much better! This plane was just as I had hoped, a great weekend toy for chewing up the sky with little effort, price, and still looks good!

Well after about 10 minutes of fun flying, it was time to lad, so I slowed the plane up on the downwind, and observer the sink, which was very normal. Only a bit of up elevator was required. As I raised the nose the plane slowed and sank quicker, so I then just let it come down to the field where I applied a continuous up stick to slow even more, and drop to the deck from about a foot high. Perfect!

This is a wonderful flyer, not too much, but just enough to keep you interested, and to allow you to enjoy the basics of this sport without any nasty side effects. The plane is a marvel in design with the two piece wing, removable tail surfaces and simple building features. I have build a little carrying case for the disassembled craft, and now I can go anywhere with little effort, and bring a great flyer and nice looking plane with me in my trunk for that momentary urge to just fly!