SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

I have learned to fly the Flyzone Skyfly 3CH successfully and have been flying it for a year or so. I am wanting to move to another plane. Is the Superstar EP RTF a decent choice? I like it because it is bigger at 48.75in span, but not as big as the typical .40 glow trainers. Is there anything I should know? From what I have read the Superstar's controls have more throw so I will need to be careful and not "overdrive" the plane. I plan to secure the battery so it cannot move around as well. I have tried to do all the research on this plane that I can. Any info on what else to expect would be great!

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Typical high wing trainer, no surprises. The control throws are adjustable but the recommended throws on any trainer are pretty tame.
As always I suggest you buddy box with an instructor or at the very least have an experienced pilot do a trim flight for you.
It is hard enough to learn to fly with a trimmed airplane it is much harder to try to adjust the trims yourself while trying to learn.

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

I have the .40 Superstar RTF it is an older version with the .40 OS LA. It flys very very easy. You can set up the amount of movement you have on all the control surfaces by the control horns and servo arms. So it will be gentle to fly at what is recomended.

I do not know what the smaller EP version is like but it should be the same. Get the CG right and you will have no problems. I would get an instructor to help for the first few flights if you can. You can get in trouble with them just like any other plane. But if you have experiance it will be real easy.

It likes to float due to the flat bottom wing and it flys real good slow.

It would be a good choice.

Good Luck!

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Thanks guys. How big of an area will I need? It's a 48 in. span. Will a soccer field work?

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

No, a soccer field will not do, at least until you've got a handle on how to handle the plane.

2 side by side soccer fields would be closer to adequate. 4 would be better. The local club flying field is the best choice. Planes of this size eat up realestate at a prodigeous rate. Not to mention the possible risk to public property and persons, not to mention our hobby, should you park it in one of the neighbour's yards by mistake.

Be sure to have an experience pilot give you a hand with the maiden. While not a handfull, it's far more plane than a SkyFly.

Not trying to bash on ya, I want you to succeed and have fun.

J

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Well, the reason I thought I wouldn't need a whole lot more space is because the Skyfly's span is 40in. I figured another 8-9 wouldn't be a huge deal. Also, so basically you are saying that the Superstar EP isn't as forgiving as the Skyfly?

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

It's about more than wingspan. Weight, wingloading and flying speed are relevant here.

Superstar EP 2.7 lb, 400sq. in., 15.6 oz per square foot wing loading
Skyfly weights 17.3 oz, can't find the wing chord online, but with a span of 40", it looks like maybe a 6" chord, so that'd be an area of 240 sq. in., loading of 10oz/sq. ft.

That means that the superstar is going to have to go significantly faster (tho it's loading is still lighter than many glow trainers, it's in the ballpark) to stay in the air. That means it'll eat up more realestate faster.

It's not that it's less forgiving, in fact a full featured aircraft (assuming it's the 4 channel version) like this has advantages of extra manouverability over the 3 channel skyfly. Even the 3 channel superstar should have more manouverablility than the skyfly, if appropriate control throws are used.

I fly a similar size .25 powered 3 channel plane. It'd be too much for a soccer field. I could likely achieve it, but it would be a constantly turning, constrained feeling thing, and I'd be uncomfortable doing it. Try the plane first in a large area, such as a club field or farmer's field (with permission). If you determine that you can fly it in a soccer field (again with permission), go ahead.

this just isn't a park flyer.

Good luck,

J

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Thanks for taking the time to try to be of help. Just out of curiosity, is the Superstar EP capable of being hand tossed if need be?

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Well, you could, but it's getting to the big'n'awkward sorta size range for that....

Instead, consider larger wheels (3" love grass!)

J

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Would two baseball fields be enough space? They are kind of diagonally facing each other, with no outer fences to worry about in the outfield, so the two fields just basically adjoin each other.

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

The main point about field size is runway space, you will need about 100' to take off although you can get that plane in the air in less than 20' a beginner will need room to get used to it and about 150' to land with no trees or other obstacles within another 150' off each end of the runway. It is a floater and will chew up 150' runway before you know it so you will need the extra room to go around for another try. Never force your plane down or try to extend a glide path if you are going to be too short, throttle up and go around for another try.

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Well like I say I have "some" flight expereice, so that should help. I am not a total beginner.

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Well, I have successfully learned to fly the Superstar EP. Nice little plane! Knife edges and loops are not a problem, and the handling seems pretty crisp for a trainer. I ended up ditching the Sky Sport radio and bought and installed the Tower Hobbies 6XM, so I could set my endpoints electronically and also have the expo option. Without this radio to help, I don't think I would have caught on. I don't even care to fly the Skyfly anymore, tried it after the Superstar and it just feels laaaaaazy.

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Hey, awesome! Where did you decide to fly it?

J

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Found a church about 5 min away that also has a huge field beside it. So, we use the basketball court for take offs, and the church grounds for landing. Works out great.

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

How big was that field? In football field units :)

RE: SkyFly to Superstar EP?
 

Oh, I'm going to say 5-6 of them.