Am I the only one that doesn't like this plane? I think it flies like a brick. The only thing that keeps it flying is the brute power of the Saito 72. My landing gear has popped off twice, even though I reinforced it. The second time it happend I was landing with flaps down. The plane slows down in the horisontal axis, but not in the vertical axis. Its glide slope is too steep (I've been flying in calm weather). I think that the rapid vertical desent is what takes out the gear. I'm afraid to dead stick this thing.

I have not weighed my plane.

I had a Super-Stick 40 prior to this and it flew great with a Saito 80. It did, however, not have the control authority the Ultra-Brick does with its bigger tail surfaces. It also had the crummy shelf-paper covering.

Maybe I should have built it with the full length-ailerons (it comes with both types)? I really haven't found a good use for the crow feature.

I am thinking of building a SIG Something Extra and selling the Ultra-Brick after it is complete. I would put the Saito 72 on the SE. I presently fly a Morris Balsa Nova w/OS .50, but I always like to have a second plane on hand. However, I don't think the Ultra-Brick is the second plane that I want to have. I have also considered building the Edge 540 Profile.

When I bought this plane, I was considering buying the Pizzaz, but I thought it would be too similar to my Balsa Nova, so I went for the quad flap marketing idea. Also, I don't like the clear covering in case repairs are needed, but it does look neat.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but go ahead. Maybe I haven't spent enough time with the Ultra Stick yet?

Just a parting comment about the Balsa Nova. I don't care if this plane dead sticks. It handles like it is on rails and has a great glide slope. Wind has little effect on it and it goes exactly where I tell it to, even without power. It was a little hot to land with a 6-pitch prop but not bad. It handles even better with an APC 11.5 x 4 prop.

Maybe by someone else, but not by me, you've got me laughing out loud

One thing you need to understand about crow mode is it is intended to do exactly what it is doing. Slow the plane down and shed altitude. The glider guys use crow to help them get the plane on the ground to hit their spot during contests (they loose points for every inch they are away from the center of the target).

If you want the plane to keep flying in the same line you have to at least give it up elevator, which should be mixed into your crow mode. And depending on how slow you are going you may also need to increase the throttle. As you said the Saito is dragging the plane through the air as the crow is trying to slow it and bring it down.

I suggest you experiment flying at 1/2 throttle going in and out of crow. If the plane starts dropping or climbing when switching crow on and off then you should adjust your elevator mix as needed to keep the plane level. When I switch into crow at at 1/2 throttle it doesn't change altitude at all, it just slows down.

Next realize that if you're going really slow on approach and have crow on the plane WILL sink quickly. You need to increase throttle to allow the engine to keep the plane up. Of course, this is what some people like about the stick, it allows you to slowly harrier it in nose high with the engine dragging it along.

Finally I'd suggest that you spend most of your time NOT in crow mode. Also, if you like the long floating landings leave crow off and it will perform much like any other stick.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

Keith

Thanks for the reply. I know what you mean about dragging the plane around by the engine in crow mode.

I've done almost all of my flying without the crow. I have never landed in crow mode, because when I tried it I realized I would have to land it in with the engine holding it up and I wasn't used to it enough yet. I need more higher-up air time in crow mode working with the throttle and elevator.

I do have the elevator mixed to maintain level flight when switching modes and keeping the same throttle setting, but I probably have the throttle at 2/3-3/4 open--not 1/2. I'll check it out at 1/2 throttle next time out.

I can see where the harrier landing is kind of cool. I have yet to see someone dive straight at the ground and pull up at ten feet and land in front of them, like the manufacturer says.

I still think the plane has kind of a steep glide path without crow or flaps.

I'll give it some more air time and see how it goes.

I wonder if you have an incidence problem. Mine lands slowly and gently, especially in crow mode. The landing gear area needs to be reinforced as well as the firewall and the wing dowel plate. I have flown mine with a irvine 53 and a tower 46. It lands almost as gentle as a trainer. You may have the plane too tail heavy if it isnt dropping enough for you during landing

How is your balance ? Maybe you are extremely nose heavy, that would make it fly like a brick. My US 1.20 balances just behind the most rearward range list in the manual. Initially I had it more foward in the range and it felt very nose heavy.

Also don't try a regular landing approach or to glide in with the crow activated. It causes so much drag it is like throwing out an anchor. It is best for dive landings.

I really liked it at first because it was cheap and looked like it would fly really well....which it sort of does.

Its no glider...thats for sure and knife edge flight sucks but theres no real fuse area for it to fly on so I guess its to be expected. After flying it for a while I really don't like the lines it takes when turning and some other aerobatics.

I did find that once I pushed the CG to the outer limits it was much improved though. You might try that first....it made a dramatic improvement for me.

The sig is a way better plane...I don't think anyone will debate that one with you.....but you get what you pay for generally.

After about 80 flights on mine I am still torn about it. On the one hand its small and cheap and low risk and on the other hand it could be a better flyer but I also don't dive down from 200 feet and pull up at the last minute with my DP extra so I'll probably keep it.

T

I wrote this up last night... just as I was finishing my Mac locked up. That never happens

I also "fell" for Horizon's marketing. I use CROW braking on my full-house sailplanes with great results... why shouldn't it work on a power plane?

It took some time to get the plane and the mixing set up correctly, but it was worth it. My Stick lands like a feather, with or without CROW. Give me a 7+ mph headwind and I can land this heap nearly vertically with *no* rollout!

Here's my setup. I was running a Saito .72 but have swapped it out for a YS .63. Same APC 13x6 prop. The YS weighs a little more than the Saito, so I switched out the metal H9 mount for a composite GP one. To balande the plane without adding weight (and to get the CG back a little) I cut a hatch in the top rear fuse and have my receiver battery installed 2"-3" behind the wing saddle. I'm using the recommended throws all around for flaps and ailerons.

I did adjust the amount of down elevator compensation in CROW mode so that the plane maintains a slightly nose-down attitude at idle. This is crucial! Trimming the plane so that it flies level at idle in CROW mode means that it will tend to bleed off to much speed, then stall. Not good.

Here's my favorite touch & go / landing approach maneuver. Its kind of like a hammerhead, but with flair
Wows the crowd every time.

• low downwind pass over the field at 3/4 -> WOT
• pull to vertical 20-30 yards past the field
• lower throttle, slow plane to a vertical hover
• engage CROW
• raise throttle, execute a 1/2 torque roll (belly of the plane now facing the runway)
• full down elevator & full power to kick the nose down, then idle
• dive, aiming for the runway threshold (50+ degree down angle)
• pull to level (speed bleeds off), touchdown on the mains.

When I get my speed and altitude perfect I can hear blades of grass gently flicking the wheels before they touch. Sweet, sweet, sweet.

I also have an SE. I had it out last weekend in zero wind (that almost never happens here!). Tried the above maneuver and at best I could touchdown just before midfield - even with spoilerons the SE won't slow down after pulling level as quickly as The Stick can.

I flew mine with a Saito 72 and balanced in the middle of the recommended cg range and I can cut the throttle to idle and it glides forever. I have knocked the gear out twice but both times were my fault. I use nylon screws in the gear so they break instead of the wood. Both times I was real high (altitude not drugs)and was diving to the runway and pulled up a little late.
Used battery and about 1 1/2 oz weight to balance.
fossil

My Ultra Stik 40 is a great little model. If you don't want yours, I'll take it! The crow setting is alot of fun. Mine has an OS.46 on it - it's pretty light. I tossed the engine mount, and replaced it with a Dave Brown one. Maybe with a large motor on it, it behaves too nose heavy? I dead-stick mine all the time. Just get it way up there, kill the engine, and glide around doing loops and rolls, then line it up with the runway. Hit your crow switch to act as a speedbrake.

Too steep of a glide path for you -> means add power!

too steep a glide path means NOSE HEAVY

get that CG back!

Ultra Brick!! Ha-HA!!!!!
You got that right! The worst plane I've had; sold mine for 90 bucks.

I've had more fun with my cheap little US 40 than any other plane....I do touch and goes sort of like V_O discribes except I do then back to back from both directions. This plane is a blast. The only other plane that I feel is better is the US 60. You have a real CG or weight problem if it is not flying right for you......

I flew mine with a OS .70 Surpass (The old one) and it had way to much power for this plane. If yours is flying on the prop of a Saito 72, then you have real issues with your set up....

Pug