Yesterday I flew my plane for the first time. I have a RCS 140 up front with a 16 X 8 APC prop at around 8k rpm's. The engine is inverted and the spark plug cap is just about even with the cowling. I made a hole for it in the cowling but if I painted it red, it would be almost impossible to see. I had to add 1.75 lbs of lead on an aluminium shelf I build over the engine. Both the ignition box and the ignition battery are in front of the firewall. The receiver battery is just behind the firewall. I had installed the retractable tail wheel but uninstalled it trying to lighten the tail. The rest was built as per the instructions. The plane weighted 20 lbs. unflueled.

We fly from a 715' asphalt runway at sea level. The plane took off in around 300 ft. It was the most scalelike take off I have ever done. It flys on its wings. Do not pull it to much. The plane has nice speed in the air. I could loop it at high elevator rates with a decent sized loop, not to large. Rolls on low rates are way to slow, just perfect on high rates. Flaps worked fine. Not to much balloning which was cancelled by mixing 1/16" down elevator, just as the instructions recommended. Landings are another thing. Although I balanced the model as per instructions, it seems nose heavy to me and a friend pilot who was on vacations from flying UAV's in Irak. I may try moving the CG 1/4" rearwards. On landing, the plane drops the nose strongly resulting in balloning. On my second landing, I bounced the plane about 5' and decided for a go around. Although I was concerned on being low on power, the plane moved without problems. Of course, I was very gentle on the elevator but no wing rocking was perceived.

I would not recommend this airplane to a novice nor to anyone who has not flown a high wing loaded plane before. Built as per instructions, it is a beautiful model. If I had to build another one, I would use a bigger engine. I hate to add lead, but even by building everything as far forward as possible, I still needed the weight. I can't figure how the plane can be built lighter than 20 lbs. Since I like scale flights, I will not change the engine. I just have to let it roll down the runway. As for the OS 160 4 stroke, I have one and really believe that it has even less power than the RCS 140. I wouldn't use it. I know RC Report used one, but for emergency power, would recommend against it.

All in all, I love the plane as is.