I need help getting this thing in the air. So far I have had two successful launches out of a dozen. I am launching on level ground, right handed with full throttle. After releasing I
reach down to grab the elevon control. After release it usually stalls and pancakes into the ground. I created a small hole under the wing to use as a anchor point but ended up in the blade-OUCH (one of my two successful launches).The balance and weight are right on.

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Hi Mark,

Thanks for your response. I am pretty sure that I have the prop on correctly. I thought it would only go on one way. During my two successful flights (so far) the prop pops off when I kill the throttle, but thats another problem.

My neighbor and I tried three attempts to launch it again this evening with no luck. I think I damaged my receiver from the impacts. I am using a Sirus Pro series charger to charge the 1700 ma batteries. Perhaps they are not getting a full enough charge?

stop fooling around and put a brushless in it!!!!

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I have a Zagi as well and had launch problems until I made a "finger hole" in the bottom of the wing about 8 inches back from the nose. I epoxied in a small plastic pipe in the hole for reinforcing. For launch, I use my right hand and stick my middle finger (yes, middle finger - stop laughing) in the hole and throw the plane level at full throttle. I also dial in about 1/2 up trim for the launch. This works perfectly every time. I am using the stock 1700 mah battery pack and the stock 6V 400 motor. No need for brushless.

Regarding props, throw away those stupid white Graupner props that come with the kit and use an APC 5.25 x 4.25 E prop. This gives much better performance. Trust me, I am a pylon racing guy when I'm not flying my Zagi. I know props. The performance increase is about 30% improved. I can do loops from level flight no problem. Couldn't do that with the Graupner prop.

In Summary, use the finger hole, toss it level, dial in 1/2 up trim and use the APC prop.

R. Smith

Thanks everyone for the input. Electrics are new to me but I have been flying glow for several years. I'll try changing the prop and look into going brushless. Let me make an assumption: Its a lot more money.

Hey Randy how do you avoid getting your finger chopped off since the prop is right behind
your digits?

Mark S.

Mark,
I noted that you said you had been hit by the prop. I have never had that happen to me. Don't know why. Note, the finger hole is about six or eight inches from the nose of the Zagi on the centerline, so it's not that close to the prop. Perhaps your hole is too far back.

I just hold the Zagi at about the height of my shoulders and toss level. Maybe my follow-through gets my hand out of the way. Never played much baseball though.....

Randy

Correction on the stock prop that comes with the Zagi .....
It's a Gunther, not Graupner. My apologies to Graupner for dissin' you previously.

BTW, for the APC prop to fit, you will need to purchase a prop hub adapter to fit on the motor shaft. MPI or Maxi, I think, is the one I use. It works great. It positively locks the prop in place.

Randy

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I have a stock Zagi 400x and am having a great time with it. I was apprehensive about launching it too, but haven't had any problems at all on the first 20 or so flights. I grip it at the front with my thumb on top, and my other four fingers on the bottom. I'm too old and slow to do any running, so I just throw it level with the motor OFF, into the wind, with an overhand motion. I have about three clicks of 'up' in it when I make the launch, and have a second or two usually to hit the throttle after the toss. It takes off and reaches 200-300 feet in less than a minute. I've been flying it both as a thermal hunter and sport ship. It's a better floater than stunter, but it will do decent loops and rolls early on in the flights. I reversed the stock props as in the instructions, and there is plenty of thrust available. I'm betting your prop is on backwards as someone has already mentioned. The battery and motor that come with the kit are good. Buying a cobalt isn't going to solve the problem. The stock combination is a good one. I'm charging at home, the night before, with an MRC Super Brain. Second runs off the car battery are lower, as I don't leave the car running while charging.

I bought a Viper Twin two weeks ago. I launch it the same way, motors off, thumb on top, other fingers on the bottom. Works great. I covered over the launch holes, they aren't necessary. I reversed both props on this one. The twins really sing. Fast, smooth, but shorter flights of course, about 6-9 minutes of loops rolls, inverted, and hotter landings than the Zagi.

Electric is good. I can't wait to learn more about it, and graduate to the brushless and cobalt motors. Until then, I'm having a ball.

I wish you the best. I hope something I said helps. ---Tony

Make sure you are tossing it in to the wind. I had a bit of the same problem this morning. I was tossing it with the wind and all it would do is stall and fall straight down. When I toss it in the wind it takes off like a champ.

i just hold my zagi like a waitor holds a tray with my fingers in the prop clearance. the zagi sits on my palm and my fingers hold it there. i can throw it high enough for it to glide about 13 seconds and during this time i turn the motor on and away it goes. this method is the best that ive found.

If you followed the instructions, the propeller should be installed properly. There is a step in which you are supposed to remove the rubber spinner and flip the prop over. Did you do that step?

The launching method described in the instructions works well, too. You're supposed to launch with the power OFF, so the spinning prop doesn't hit your fingers. That said, I've launched power-on more times than power-off, and never came near my fingers with the spinning prop. The follow-through in your throw should bring your hand well clear long before the prop gets close.

Getting a good launch does take some practice. I've flubbed more than a few. If you throw too hard, the plane flips up out of control, stalls, and crashes. Give it a good stiff toss straight ahead, then add power.

Being left-handed, I have a bit of an advantage. I can control the elevons and launch at the same time.

ditto on the part about being left-handed...helps a lot...I've never had an unsuccessful launch streak.....only a few idiotic tosses.

toss straight ahead (or with a very slight skyward heading), hit the throttle to full....and fly away.....if the winds are over 5mph, you'll want to definitely toss into the wind...or it will pancake.

Good luck!

I found the description for holding and throwing the Zagi quite uncomfortable for me. I throw it by resting it in the palm of my right hand with two fingers , one on either side of the prop. Give it a sharp slightly upward toss. Quickly bring right hand to the throttle stick and fly away. I had several uh-o's when I first started flying it, but now I have no trouble...it's a blast.

Vince

Many thanks for all of the help and suggestions I have received. What a great resource!

I DID HAVE THE PROP ON BACKWARDS. That was amazing to me. I checked the instructions
once, twice, three times, but still can not find the section stating to change the hub. Why doesn't ZAGI do this I wonder?

I did get the APC props and that made all the difference in the world. Next I purchased
a brushless from MAX and again the performance gain was substantial. In the afternoon I can actually soar in thermals.

For launching I created a small grip hole about 4 inches from the leading edge and epoxied a cola twist cap for a anchor point. Since all the changes I have only had successful launches.
Well once I pancaked into the ground - but I had the wrong model dialed up on my Futaba TX.

Many thanks, Mark S

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Very very very odd about the prop thing. I have a set of original Zagi 400 instructions in front of me, and at the bottom of Page 12 is an entire section labeled Counter Rotating Prop Setup that clearly describes how to reverse the prop. I can't believe they would omit such an important step in the 400X instructions.

Check out www.yourzagi.com for some good info on the zagi.

(just my 2 cents)