Hi all. I am just basically making this post to voice a few problems about my new Nexstar. A little about myself first as I have not posted on this site before. Finding this site was pretty cool actually, not too many sites dedicated to the R/C Hobbies. This site seems well done and nice. I first began flying R/C back in the early 90's. I have been off and on with it since. I was in the Air Force and moving around made things tough for flying. Anyway, recently speaking it has been probably over a year and a half since I had flown so I took my old quickie plane out of storage and prepped it for flight. After solving a few storage problems (after-run oil doesn't always prevent corrosion). Mainly a stuck carb barrel, I tore the engine down and the inside looked like new. Probably cause I put the after run oil in through the plug hole to prevent carb damageand what did it get me !!! Anyway, I flew the old bird close to a dozen times and decided I was way too rusty for landing the thing and decided to buy a new trainer arf to get back into the swing of things. I suppose I fell victom to advertising and good looks as I decided to buy the Nexstar ARF. I was gonna use my 6DA Futaba and a new 46 AX to power it. For the most part the build wasn't as easy as I was led to believe. Alignment sucked and the landing gear proved to be problematic. Still haven't got the fuel tank to lock into place yet and part of that problem as with some others have led me to make this post. Anyway, I lodged some foam behind the tank for security and flew it anyway. My initial thoughts on takeoff was that the plane was sluggish and easily weathervaned into the wind. I flew it for a short time, roughly 15 minutes. I noticed under high power settings the engine was in and out. I figure it and blame it on fuel foaming due to the tank mounting setup. I confirmed this on the ground later. My first flight had all of the wing bling on it as well. I removed it that same day. After my first flight I retired for the day as I thought my craft was veigning into the wind. On the second flight after removing all of the wing bling my takeoff was almost a tragedy. I did succed in saving the aircraft from disaster and managed to trim out the difference in wing changes. This difference seemed to be extreme on my aircraft, unlike what the manual describes. Anyway, The plane settled in and flew much better with the exception of its tendancy to pull to the right. I must admit however that its slow speed low power settings performance was exceptional. I could slow this thing to a crawl and even though I thought it was sluggish it would maintain contollable flight. Speeds so slow most planes I would be normally fly would have fallen from the sky. I thought its landing charecteristics were excellent as well, with the exception of having to input slight left rudder and right roll to correct for right drift. So my conclusion after the second flight was to examine the thrust angle of the engine and maybe remove a portion and test the thing again. As I looked at the thrust angle I thought to myself that 'this is way to much' for a plane with a 46 on it. So I decided to remove the engine and mount and add some spacing behind the mount and to work in the tank installation as well. Needless to say things did not go well. As I removed the 4 screws that hold the mount on three of them snapped off just under the head of the screw. The same thing happened to the nose gear mount bearing as well. Now I have to figure out how to get those screws out, maybe some vice grips or a dremel to slot the shanks like a flathead screw. Anyway, this pisses me off. I read all the hype on this model and fell for it. I ain't no newbie and I will be able to deal with it and eventually make a decent plane from it. Point being that there are newbies out there that are gonna buy this plane and are gonna try it believing what they have read. No, as it comes from the box I would not endorse this plane. As it comes from the box I find it somewhat a bear to fly...mine does anyway. I think the six firewall screws are piss poor as far as quality goes. They twisted in half as I tried to remove them. Note that I did install them with thread locker as the plans called for but, BUT, screws should not be so fragile. My day job is a helicopter mechanic so I know these things. Anyway, hopefully after taking out some of the exaggerated right thrust and removing those snapped screw shanks and replacing them, and finding some way of securing the tank, this may become a decent flying plane. I hope so, I wanted to use it to teach my son how to fly.

I would also like to point out some good and bad about this plane. These are just my opinions posted for others to take in and think what they wish. I think the plane looks great. NO glue was needed...almost, mine had a bad glue joint. The hardware package was extensive and no extra was needed. It came with wheels!!! I just don't like foam wheels(personal preference only). It came with a prop!!! Was a funny looking thing but I used it anyway. I really liked the engine mount. I really did NOT like the gear setup. I did figure out that if I reamed out the holes in the gear that they would indeed lock into place. The fuel tank was handy, however, it felt cheap to me and I am not so sure it will last. I forsee it blowing at the seems. The fuel tank with my kit won't secure as the plans say it will. I liked the spinner and the control rods as equipped. My model did not have the throttle tube or the nose wheel steering tube installed as the plans would lead you to beleive. In some instances I thought the plans were vague with the instructions but I did think they had good pictures. I am not so sure the wing extensions and training flaps are neccessary. I removed mine after the first flight and found the plane handled better and was just as slow on landing with flaperons. Note that when I used flaperons on my setup the plane exhibited no unruly tendacies to lurch the nose either up or down. It settled right into a very good landing posture. I really like the slow handling charecteristics of this model even though it is a bit sluggish. High speed flight with it sucks in my opinion as it seems the fuel has a tendacy to foam. I don't think that this is a bad plane at this point but in my opinion I do think it needs work. That possibly may be why the RTF version has the autopilot and all the gimmicks with it. I also think the thing is overhyped and over priced. I have an old duraplane trainer in the shed that I really should have put back into service. I never really liked the way it flew as it felt more like something other than a trainer plane. Anyway, I hope that what I have posted may help someone in some way. I surely hope that I haven't made myself out to be an idiot or something. I do recall teaching a friend to fly years back and he had a Hobbistar or Avistar with a K&B 45 on it. Now that was a good flying plane.

Before I end this post I feel I must comment on the 46 AX I just bought. Man what a sweet engine that thing has turned out to be. I have seen a few but this thing is just right. Even during break in running it didn't fail. I was running it so rich there for a few I was basically pouring raw fuel out the pipe but she still soldiered on! I think from now on any 40 sized bird I fly will have the 46 AX on it.

Anyway, I hope all of this is worthwhile and I haven't wasted too much space here. So now I am off to find some replacement screws for my Nexstar.

Good luck and happy flying,
Wes

Hey Wes,

Sorry to hear about your difficulties with the Nexstar. I am new to the sport and the Nexstar is the first plane I put together and flew. In my case, the problems encountered were due to inexperience in building (or in this case assemblying) airplanes. Fortunately, I had an experienced builder/assembler/pilot who helped me through setting up the plane.

I also have the 46AX on my plane and agree with you that it is a great engine. I am really glad that the LHS talked me in to buying it.

I have since built (assembled) a Superstar and am currently putting together an Avistar. The Nexstar went together without a hitch, but the Superstar had to have adjustments during assembly. For instance, the tube for the nose wheel control rod had to be moved to eliminate a serious binding problem. The nuts on the firewall were glued on and broke loose immediately when tightened. I had to cutout behind the firewall to install blind nuts.

It seems from what I have read on RC Universe and in talking to fellow beginners that even the best of kits have their idiosincracies and need to be tweeked. I know it can be painful, but once you get the Nexstar set up I think you will find it to be a great flying plane as I have.

Take care

Buy a Sig LT 25 much better trainer. Very easy to build!

Have you flown a Nexstar, or many other trainers?

Little trainers just aren't in the same league as big ones. The Nexstar is a big one --- & it is a very good one.

Have you flown a Nexstar, or many other trainers?
Yes I have on both accounts. I just think that lighter trainers fly better than big heavy ones. The LT 25 in question here is not exactly small but very light 4 lbs. ready to fly. Get you out of trouble in a hurry need bigger one go to the LT 40. Happy flying!

Nothing wrong with a Nextar that a LT-60 wouldn't cure......:-)

Actually, the Nextar, properly set up is as a good a trainer as I have ever flown. The Hobbico Super Star was my trainer but I've flown the Nextar and liked the 46 so well I put one on my Star. (get outta da way!!) But the most docile and even tempered trainer I have ever flown has to be the LT-60. My blind aunt could land it in a drunk'n stupor.

Sorry to here you had problems with the Nextar. I bought the rtf version about a year ago, and never flown an rc before I decided that since it came with a simulator that was the way to go. When I got it home I started putting it together, I can say it took me longer than 20 minutes to get it ready to fly but I went through and checked and set everything control throws, cg, etc. all went together without a hitch. Took it out back and broke it in the next day, the fxi ran like a champ for whatever reason I did not have a fuel foaming problem. For the next week I practiced on the simulator probably a total of 30 to 40 hours. Then as if by fate it was dead calm so I got off work went to the lhs and joined the local club and against the lhs owners best wishes I headed out to the field, wow what a day a light overcast but dead calm. So I got every thing out of the car and set up started the engine taxied out and before I knew it I was flying. I made 5 or 6 runs around the pattern made a couple of landing attempts before I got it back down. Wow what a rush. I've had lots of flights since then with this plane every one successful. But it's a trainer and fly's like a trainer ,good if you're a beginner, annoying if you have flown more advanced airplanes. This summer I installed a magnum 70rfs and flew it in the clubs annual cross country, the Nextar did good enough for third place. The darn thing with a 13-8 prop and a couple clicks past half throttle cruised right along at 75 to 80 mph. Even though I have had good luck with this plane probably the biggest reason I would recommend this plane over another trainer is the simulator, it was the only reason I was able to learn to fly on my own and not destroy countless planes in the process. But which ever plane you decide to by fly and be happy.

I have a Nexstar on order. My instructor favors this model so I ordered it w/out the radio gear since I plan to use my 14mz. I'm hoping for the best - easy setup etc...

Like I said in my first post...I am not new to the hobby or flying R/C, just rusty. I was giving my opinions on the plane itself. I tried to get the broken bolt shanks out of the blind nuts tonight after I got home from work. Didn't happen. I pushed the blinds nuts out the back side of the firewall since I am gonna have to replace them now anyway. They came out very easily, obviously they weren't glued in as I would have done. I would like to ask if there is anyone here who has shimmed their Nexstar's engine mount though. What did you use and what thickness of shims did you use? My measurements show about a quarter of an inch difference from one side to the other so I am thinking a good place to start would be to cut it in half with enough washers to stak out about an eight of an inch. I hate having excessive thrust angle in a plane.

Oh yea, right now I am also building a spad type airboat and also building a homebuilt spad type model rocket with 'e' rocket moter. If I had some hosting I'd consider posting pics.

The LT 25 is a kite that skates around the sky in the wind.

THe Nexstar right thrust/left offset is designed to counter engine torque & spiral slipstream effets at ~1/3 - 1/2 throttle (training speed). At higher throttle settings it causes a right turn.


I have modified numerous Nexstars.

For a quickie fix I just slip a popsicle stick behind the right edge of the engine mount.

For permanent jobs, I invariably remove all right thrust & left offset. A balsa wedge is used to square up the firewall, & I glue it into place with CA. I then laminate either a 3/16" or 1/4" plywood layer on top of the shimmed firewall (depends what material I have at the time). Finally, I pin the new firewall from the sides (through the fuse) with #4 screws.

If I have removed the dihedral, &/or if I have sunk the wings into the cabin, I also remove some down thrust by wedging, before I laminate the top layer onto the firewall.

Thats some good info Britbrat. I was lucky and it turned out the local Ace hardware had the blindnuts I needed...imagine that. They also had socket head cap screws so I upgrade the stock busted hardware to the socket heads. Makes for easier maintenance and looks better in my opinion. I put two small washers washers between the firewall and the mount to try the thing with less thrust angle. In doing so I noticed the nose gear bracket was thrown out of alignment with the engine mount. It was easily shimmed into alignment with a few washers and all was required was a minor adjustment of throttle epa and nose steering at the servo horn. How do yours handle with the right thrust removed Britbrat? I fly tail draggers a lot so a little right rudder is what I normally expect on takeoff but have you noticed any ill effects after the mod? Oh yea I found out why the fuel tank wouldn't properly secure too. Seems the factory screws were a touch too long. They were actually pushing the tank rearward out of place. After I finished my shimming I hand cut all of the bolts I bought so they would only protrude very slightly behind the blind nuts. Dremel is great. Reinstalled tank and it locked in great. Wind has been high here last few days so I haven't flown. Has given me time to finish my boat. It'll fly too at full throttle. Ran it tonight on the frost covered ground. It was a blast Wish it wouldn't flip over backwards at full throttle though. I may have to put some weight up front or maybe a wing or something.. Who knows.

More on the Nextar after I fly it again.

I almost bought a used Nexstar from the marketplace. Didn't know they came with so many issues attatched.. then again all of my rc's have some sort of issue at some point. I bought RealFLight G3 to learn how to fly. So far i am pretty good at and the Nexstar is the featured trainer in the software. Are there any better trainers out there? I don't have any flying experience other than my simulator.... so far all i have to go on is advertising hype, this website, and what desperate lhs's try to push on me. Thanks for the review BigWes.

-Scott

The Nexstars that I modified are not mine -- all of them belong(ed) to students of mine (former students I guess).

All were modified to taildragger configuration using the stock landing legs & all had the right thrust removed. They all fly (or flew) beautifully.

Invariably, the mods included cleaning up the nose to get rid of the "cheek" cowl & four were converted to sidewinder engine mount.

The best ones had the dihedral removed & two had the new "flat" wing sunk into the cabin -- 3/4" in one case, & 1" in the other. One had a LEO .61 fitted in place of the OS .46 FXi.

The plane is really adaptable.

Flight report.

I finally flew the NexStart today after a few mods. Primarily removing some of the exagerated right thrust and shimming of the nose gear assembly to accomadate the thrust angle adjustment. All I can say is it made a wonderful improvement. The aircraft tracked straight on takeoff roll with only a slight tendancy to drift left. I expect this under full throttle as to me the airplane is supposed to drift left. While in flight it had no tendancies to track funny. It did however NOT fly a good loop. It would track to the right and sometimes snap out of the loop. I am going to check lateral balance later and see if one wing is overly heavier than the other. But for the most part the plane has become much more predictable and will still fly quite well at a slow crawl.

Hopefully I will be able to mount some camera equipment in the plane as this was one of the primary reasons I got the plane as well as practice for me and training my son to fly.

Thanks

Hey BigWes......

I tried to reply before but it said it timed out, so I'll try it again.....I too had alot of problems with my Nexstar, and
after a near fatal crash and burn......I made some changes...check out "Nexstar to WarDuck" thread.

Happy flying...

BigWes....

Also in my thread on the WarDuck you can see what I did to get rid of that pesky landing gear.

I have had two Nextstars, the first ( RTF select) was o,k the second one was an ARF was a nightmare, poor QC during the manufacture. I had gotten them for a trainer for my wife and daughter who have caught the flying bug.
I love the OS .46 AX I have two of these motors, One in a Cessna Skylane the other came with the Nextstar Select, it is now in a Sig LT 40, both run like a swiss watch right out of the box.
The Nextstar had some good points, but does have some issues (in my opinion).
Brit Brat has a whole series of post on how to make it a really super airplane. His advice was invaluable, when I was scratching my head regarding an issue I had with one, look them up he really knows how to make this bird fly. If he recomends a change, do it!

Yea wheels, I checked out your War Duck thread. I really enjoyed it. I think your mods look cool. Good job!

Wes