Today I maidened the Phoenix Model Sonic .25 low wing trainer. I Have an os .25 fx engine with MAS 9 x 5 prop on this thing and it took off in less than 20 ft! 2nd and 3rd time I took off only needed about 2/3 throttle. I had no trouble whatsoever with this thing, just need to level the wings after a turn since it doesn't do it for you like a trainer. It flew straight and level with just 2 clicks down elev. If anyone is thinking of geting one of these for a second plane I would have to say you could probably pull it off cause I'm DEFINITELY a beginner and I did just fine. I probably haven't had this much fun flying since the day I first got the trainer switched to m y radio THe plane built really easilly and I finished it in 2 nites. It did require 2.5 ozs of lead in the front. Other than that no prob's at all. You will have to use z bends on the servo arms cause there is not sufficient room between the aelerons and the servos for easy connectors (I think thats what they are called(screw holds control rod)) THank you to whoever suggested this to me.

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Ken

Thanks for the info tsands, I think I'm sold... I'll order one tomorrow...


Can you do unlimited verticals? How fast is it? :-)

Is the covering monokote? Apparently it's advertised as such, but in reality it's one of those sticky covering that is a b1%^$ to repair...

I wouldn't say unlimited vertical but it was close. BTW I forgot to mention in stalls with just a slight dip of the left wing just a tad down and a little throttle and it goes right back to flying.I found this out cause on the second flight I had a flameout right after takeoff and just landed nicely straight ahead. The cover is oracover and yes it's the sticky backed stuff[:@] Other than that I don't know cuz it's the only low wing I've flown but it was a piece of cake.

You said you had to add 2.5 oz on the nose... did you use those heavy nuts for the prop?

Where did you put the weight?

Actually make that 3. I cant count. I used the lead sticky ones and put 3 1/2 oz weights on each side of the engine and that balanced perfectly. I also would consider ordering a larger tank. I put an 8 oz in mine and it fit like a glove

One member of my club crashed one and he is willing to sell it to me for 35$, I'm wondering if it's worth it, apparently its fixable...

Anyways! Thank for all the info!

I was looking at this for a while. How aerobatic was it? I need something for my O.S. 40 LA. I think this with a good prop would make a good little plane. It's Cheap too. How axial are the rolls? Any dihederel(SP?)? Thanks
Chad

It's aerobatic enough for me. THe nose drops a little in a roll but with some elev it's ok. It has on dihedral but not alot. Nice little plane to fly but what do I know its my first low wing experience. I'm not sure about putting a 40 on it it may be too much but since I had to add weight to the nose anyway maybe it would be ok. On that subject I'd hope someone with experience will chime in

Pilot Chad, you'll be fine putting the OS 40LA on the Sonic 25 Low Wing. This was my second plane after crashing my son's Avistar so I took the servos and engine and used it in the Sonic. This plane is quite agile and tough. The only problem I had was the wheels were real cheap and broke at the hub when I was training my brother using the Sonic. Yup, it's that easy to fly. I got bored with it so starting flying combat until it's inevitable demise.

Yeah I forgot. I put 2 1/2" rubber on before I flew also. Those little foamies I didn't think would ever take off from our grass.

ok thanks t an s, and stick. This with a 40 la should be a great introduction for that pylon racer i have sitting on the workbench

the 40 la only has one hp @ 16000 and the .25 fx is .88 hp @ 19000 so you may not see any additional power with the .40 but like I said I had to add weight to the nose so it may jubst be the perfect fit. Maybe you should consider the high wing at first instead of the low wing. Just an opinion.

tsands,
I will get a Ultra stick before this, just thinking in the future.