I was looking through my Models Avaition magazine and came across an ad for WingsPro.com. The are selling a composite Trainer called a Solaris. Comes pretty much assembled minus the radio gear and radio. Any how I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to fly one yet? I've been flying for a few years, but haven't flown much for a couple years (finishing college, first child). I'm ready to get back in and thought this might be something fun and different?

Jason

here's a link to the plane:

[link=http://www.wingspro.com/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=74]http://www.wingspro.com/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=74[/link]

Looks okay but I would hazzard a no. Although it is light and looks well made it IS a composite aircraft. It is a trainer and may end up damaged. It is much easier to repair wood than composite. It also looks like it has a thin fuse. It could get dicy to see if it gets out there a ways. You stated you have some previous experience. You may be just fine. But as I said if you bust it up you are likely to have to pitch it insted of repairing. Best to stick with a tried and true plane. I would reccomend a trainer with a semisymmetrical wing. You can relearn on it and have some fun with it later. Good luck.

Mark Shuman

Mark,

Can you recommend any arf trainers that come as a tail dragger? Also, as a composite, do you think that plane would handle a couple of rougher then normal landings. I'm sure I'll be able to get the plane airborn, and fly it around, but I'm more concerned about my first few landings.

I've got a 46la and a 46fx. I thought I'd put the 46 la on it till I got the hang of things again. I really want a plane that can handle some really slow landings without stalling.


Jason

Jason,

I consider myself an avanced beginner. I have flown 4 times and I soloed today. You can buy a Hangar 9 Arrow, a set of dural aluminum mains and a sullivan tailwheel assy for about the same price as that plane. All you need to do is glue a piece of 1/4" ply just in front of the leading edge of the wing and mount up the tail wheel. The Arrow has a semisymetrical wing and very little dihedral. My instructor is very impressed with it. It flys great, a little slow to roll with the stock throws, and it will absolutely not snap on stall. We tried for 5 minutes to get it t stall today and it just won't do it.

Check it out, I think you'd like it.



Chris Attebery

Chris may have it down. As far as I know there is no semisymmetrical tail dragger arf's out there. The only tail dragger trainer I know of is the SIG LT-25. Just glue in the 1/4" plate with some triangle stock reinforcements on any ARF. The gear can be gotten from Dubro I believe. I hear that Hobbico has a copla good semi's. I hear some good things about the Arrow listed by Chris. Good luck with whichever one you settle on.

Mark Shuman

After serious consideration I've decided to just bet out my old ugly stick 40. It lands a bit hot, but I think I'll put my 46la in it with a 11x5 or 11x4 prop. I can set it up with duel rates and go from there.

The composite just sounded interesting. Anyhow wish me luck, I've got the radio and receiver charging tonight and I figure I can have it up and running by the end of the week. I started to go through my gear and it would appear that my glow plug heater is shot, but every thing else is just as I left it (except dusty).

I'm also borrowing my friends Real Flight Sim and can get some practice in before the end of the week.

Jason