mini ultra stick ques.
 

i have a eflite mini ultra stick and i would like to remove the landing gear and make a hand lauch has anyone done this or with any other balsa plane will it survive belly landings??? thanks jb.

RE: mini ultra stick ques.
 

I don't have one of these, but I have experience belly landing a couple planes, including one that is similar in size/weight to it.

First, be certain you can stop the prop quickly for landing. This means your ESC should have at least moderate braking programmed in. A prop saver will help, but I've found if you land on a relatively smooth grass field (i.e. no clumps), the prop will usually just bump itself out of the way when you touch down (haven't had one dig in on me yet). When you land, be sure to flare up just before touch down, to be sure the front of the plane doesn't try to dig in.

Next, be sure the bottom of the plane is sturdy. If it's fully sheeted and covered, it's probably fine. Otherwise, you might want to beef up the bottom surface a little more, or just add a "skid plate" of some sort. Landing on a relatively smooth grass field shouldn't be too hard on it, though.

If you plan to belly land on a clumpy field, you probably should use a prop saver and reinforce the bottom even more.

Here's a photo of a plane I made from scratch out of flat foam, it is similar in size/weight to the Mini Stick. The foam fuse is probably more rugged, but I doubt the extra durability is needed for smooth grass fields.

RE: mini ultra stick ques.
 

pkh thanks for the advice and i love the foamie you built,great job. jb.

RE: mini ultra stick ques.
 

I have this plane. I've flown it for two seasons and starting my third. A friend has taken off the landing gear for hand launch because he could never get it to take off on our grass field. I on the other hand added a small piece of aileron stock between the fuselage and the wheel strut. This moved the wheels forward slightly. I found the hint somewhere here in rcuniverse - don't remember where. But, bottom line take offs and lands are super!

RE: mini ultra stick ques.
 

hi jzrf6c, i tried the wheels off yesterday i was hoping for more performance but it did not make any difference,but i had no problems belly landing the mus is just a great all around flying airplane!!! thanks for your comments jb.