Well, the expiration date for my H-9 Pulse XT 40 came today. [] I was doing some simple maneuvers about 50-100’ high. I started doing a series of snap rolls, even though the pulse doesn’t “snap” very well, it still is fun to watch. I came out of about the fourth roll pointing almost straight down 50’ high. No problem, done this many times before. This time, I pulled up on the stick and nothing happened. I said to my son “uh-oh” [X(] and the plane just went straight in. I’m standing there amazed at what just happened. My first real crash (had a few scrapes in the beginning, but nothing major), and I can’t believe it just happened. Strangest feeling I’ve had in a long time. Brought the plane back home and stripped it. I could not find any indication that the elevator/controls broke. I have the Futaba 6EX 2.4 radio. Just not sure what happened. It’s really hard to tell because there was so much crash damage. I had wrapped the receiver and battery separately in foam, but the crash was too much for the foam to handle. Battery pack was broke in half, and the receiver is in bad shape. The throttle servo is also stripped. I will send the receiver in to Futaba and have it checked out. I pulled the engine (OS 55) out and at first I thought something had happened to it internally, because when I turned the shaft I could feel something rubbing inside. There was not prop on it. So I pulled the back plate off and couldn’t find anything wrong, except that the crank shaft has some in and out play to it. I bolted a prop on, and the rubbing went away, as did the shaft play. Does this sound normal to you guys? Flipped the engine over (not trying to start it) a few times and it seems fine.
I was coming up on 300 flights on the Pulse, so I don’t feel too bad about the plane. But I only had about 20 flights on the 55, and that hurt! I also had just re-worked the wheels and axles, and modified the wheel pants, because I had worn out the original ones.
My son had to call my wife and say “dad crashed his Pulse!” so he put me on the phone with my wife. She said I can buy whatever plane I want to replace the Pulse, because I just had a traumatic experience and she doesn’t want me to be sad. Isn’t she the best! Now quick, before she changes her mind, I need a plane one step up from the Pulse that will work my 55! Any suggestions? I was thinking of the H-9 twist. http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN2650

What do you guys think?

Do you want to get more into 3D or pattern? The U-Can-Do 3D is a great plane. There are 5 at my club, and people who fly them can't stop bragging about them. They are mostly set up with a .70 four stroke, but the 55AX would do well in it (flies well with a .46, but lacks some power for 3D).

This plane can do all the tricks, and it floats in for a landing. You can land it at next to no speed, and land without the engine running from anywhere in the pattern, easily.

If I could get any plane, it would be the Thunder Tiger Imagine 50; a beautiful pattern plane.

Yea, I guess I should have said "step up" in the direction of: well, I don't want to do full on 3D. I suppose it would be fun to try, but I like flying fast sometimes, and doing nice crisp manuvers. That was what I liked about the Pulse. Maybe I should just get another one, but I was thinking maybe something that did a little bit better acrobatics. Of course, the pilot needs a lot more practice with acrobatics.

Hey Mesa...sorry to hear about your Pulse. I lost mine about a month ago. I was trying to do flat spins when I came down too low , as I tried to pull out of it, the plane kept snapping because I forgot to switch back to low rate elevator. I was ok with it though. the Pulse served me well for quite some time. It was time to step up. Im now on a hanger 9 Showtime and will begin to build an Aeroworks Edge. The showtime is great. Take a look.

I understand, and I'm with you, Mesa. I want nice aerobatics, and speed as well, which sounds like a pattern plane to me

Are you the kind of person who would want 3d or speed? I have Pulse kind of like that except electric. I currently have a Extra 260 (25%) and a Rambler. The Rambler is geared toward speed. My friend clocked it at about 96 mph so if you are interested in speed, this is a very cool plane. (Btw, if anyone is interested, I am selling the Rambler 45, If interested just pm me and ill tell you all specs about it, $250 RTF). The Rambler controls smooth, has working retracts, which add to the speed by decreasing drag on the plane, duel rates are set on it, and when I bought it new, I only spent $500. Now, if you are geared more toward 3d, I would recommend a Cermack Extra 260. I run a 26cc Evolution gas engine in it and it seems perfect, so perfect that today when my dad took me down to the Fun Fly convention, the people asked me to go into tournaments in expert level (I didnt expect this at all :0) This plane, if put together right, will not only look stylish on the ground and in the air, it will peform any move that you command it to.

Mesa... sorry to hear about the Pulse XT. I have one also and it is a nice flying plane. If you are looking for a nice smooth aerobatic plane that has nice speed, then give the Sig Somethin'Extra a look. I have one of these also and it is a blast to fly. Also the Phoenix Funstar does well also.

2 pics of my SSE and one of mu Funstar(leaning up next to the Tiger)
Curt

I don't know for sure about the OS .55 but at least for the other 2C O.S. engines I have, there is a small washer behind the prop drive.

This small thin washer "pulls" the crankshaft forward a bit when the prop is screwed in.

With the prop off you feel the in/out play because the washer is not doing it's thing.

DON'T LOOSE IT! And make SURE that it is there.

Without it you WILL feel that "rubbing".

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That rubbing may also be the back of the crankshaft rubbing against the backplate. The crank may have been pushed backwards a little in the crash. When you bolted the prop on the crank was pulled forward away from the backplate.

If you check the washer make sure you don't loose that little woodruff key. No hardware store that I've seen carries the right size.

Venus 40 (Great Planes). Couldn't think of the name before. Supposed to be a great first pattern plane, and will RIP with the 55AX on it. Tower has them, and also offers Easy Pay for this plane (looks like this might just be MY next plane!). Search for some videos of the Venus 40 - it really looks great in the sky.

Mesa, check out the Little Tony, too. I heard it flies great, and is could be exactly what you are looking for - a step of from the Pulse. It looks kind of like the Pulse too.

hey sourkraut....how do you like you cub? i just pickerd one up....it's a project cub. had to re-cover everything and am waiting for side windows, wing struts, cowl and a decal set. was just wondering how they fly...take off and taxi. nice! cant wait!

bobrev06x... I love my cubby. It is a Great Planes Fabric Covered Cub with an 81" wingspan. I am powering it with an OS .46AX and it has tons of power. Taxis and flies "like a Cub". Some right rudder is needed on takeoff but nothing to drastic. It will nose over on landings if a little up elevator is not applied, but not to much or it will takeoff again. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I set mine up with floats this past winter but still haven't flown with them yet, but there is nothing prettier than a Cub on floats.

Curt

you're right. the cub looks great on a matching pair of floaties. this cub that i picked up is the same kit as yours. i hope to be able to pick up the parts that i need to complete what i want to do with this thing. i went and looked at this thing at a friend's house and it was in rough shape. it needed some new "skin" let's say, and he only wanted 10 bucks for it. but like i said, i had to buy a new canopy front (the original was broken) and the struts were missing. it had no wheels and the cowl was gone. probably not worth much more than that........but the bonus was...it had five servos and a hitec rx in it which all work. so anyway, i'm getting the engine ready to go on the new mounts and am looking for a fuel tank for it. so, nosing over after landing....i've read that somewhere. but i suppose it's just part of learning to handle a "cubby" . thats what i like is a "good challenge"... thanks for the response. happy flying! bob c.

Curt you have one heck of a hangar...

Hey guys, thanks for the replys. Read a bunch of threads and reviews and the replacement for the Pulse is going to be the Venus 40. I am ordering it tonight. Thanks gaRCfield for the info. Can hardly wait to try it out with the 55!
This plane is really to replace the Pulse. Next year, I want to start flying twins, and warbirds are still my favorite.
opjose,
I found that little black washer on the floor when I was picking up pieces of balsa from the Pulse. That fixed it. I think that when I was cleaning off the engine it must have fallen off without me realizing it. Thanks for the help.
Sourkraut,
I would like to know how that cub on floats works out. Looks like a really nice plane. In a few months, we will be vacationing on Lake Powell. I was thinking about getting a small electric seaplane for the trip, but I just can't talk myself into getting one!

Thanks again,
Pete

Good choice going with the venus. Dont know how it flies but is a really nice looking plane. One of the first planes to catch my eye when I got into this hobby.

Pete, I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but definitely let us know how it goes!!! I'm sorry for your loss of a nice plane, but I'm really excited for your new addition!!! Good luck!

You know I will!
The Pulse is/was a great plane for me to fly. It taught me soooo much about this hobby. But, as my mom would say about the crash "everything happens for a reason". Not sure what the "reason" is, but I know it will come to me someday when I am out flying.

The reason was to get you into pattern flying, which you will love (I'm guessing). Do a search, either on this site or on google, for pattern maneuvers. To me it's a lot more fun to do planned maneuvers than to just yank on the sticks at random. And your new plane will do them with such precision, you'll probably be pretty amazed.

Good luck (and have fun!)