OK, let me start out by saying that I'm not really a pattern flyer but do enjoy the precision and 'point and shoot' ability of flying pattern aircraft. I call my type of flying 'faux pattern' ...sort of semi precise sport aerobatics.

With that being said, I've owned a couple of what I would consider 'faux pattern' planes...an E-Flite Brio 10 and an Aeroworks Stingray...both nice little planes.

I'm interested in buying a slightly larger pattern plane...maybe a 3DHS Aspera or World Models Groovy 50 3A and converting it to electric. I've also got a Precision Aerobatics Extra MX that I have set up for more precision work and it's actually pretty nice although it's so damn light that it doesn't really penetrate wind well.

Anyway, enough of that. The main question I have is that I'm a pretty big fan of E-flite/ Hangar 9/ Horizon and have noticed that they're really not offering any models that are precision oriented. Any reason for this? I suppose it's not a big part of the market but, still, I'd maybe like to see something from them. The Brio 10 was a nice little plane and when it was discontinued, it wasn't replaced with anything.

Any Horizon brass on here want to chime in, anyone have any ideas? If anyone over at HH is listening, give me an E-Flite or Hangar 9 pattern plane 50-55" with an electric power option (if it's from H9)...and while you're at it, bring back the Deuces Wild, that thing is fantastic and if I ever pack mine in, I want another one!

Thanks!

Faux Pattern. I like it!!!

Honestly, you can't go wrong with the Aspera. Nice plane. Fly's good. Well built. All the 3dhobbyshop stuff is. WM groovy is cool also. You could also consider the 50 sized Wind S from Sebart. Check it out at F3AUnlimited dot com Not sure the link will work if I post it, but it's on sale also with the motor and esc for just under $500. Look under specials.

Not sure on HH, H9, or Eflite really. Most of the stuff from them is usually (even if it looks like a pattern plane) built to 3D also. Not sure if Extreme Flight still sells the Vanquish, but that is a nice plane also.

Chris

The Showtime is probably the closest thing they have to a pattern model, which I don't particularly like.

The 63" Osirs had some pretty good reviews if you're chasing something larger, and the Extreme Flight vanquish might fit the bill if you're after something a little smaller as it's only 48"

have a look, you might like them

Hi,

In a smaller size, I think that the Vanquish II or one of the SebArt products would be my choice. I had a WM Groovy 3A which I converted over to electric and it flew reasonably well, but it is nowhere as good as the SebArt Angel 50 that I currently fly. I have not had any experience with the Vanquish but the first iteration of the design was well received so I imagine V2 should be good as well.

Good luck,

Teo

We didn't feel that Quique could bring anything to the table when it comes to pattern plane design, so we have been steering clear of that segment of the hobby.

I'm liking the 3DHS Aspera more and more for the price and I probably have everything to put in it. MY LHS carries some Seb-Art stuff and they have one in stock that competes with the Aspera (can't remember the model) but it's around $100 more...a little rich for my tastes and I doubt it flies '$100 better'. I like the size of the WM Groovy 50 3a but would rather fly something designed for electric from the get-go so that I don't have to do as much re-engineering.

I'm a little tired of planes that are billed as 3D/precision as it never really works out well that way and I'm so not into 3D...I'd much rather be doing 500' loops and slow rolls from horizon to horizon. The closest I get to 3D are inverted flat-spins (which is still a scale maneuver) and the occasional brief hover but If I want to hover something, I'll just fly my heli.

Thanks for the insight and honesty, Ryan. I'd still like to see something in the future and I thought that the Brio (which was a Quique design) was quite good but I'm not an F3A competitor or anything.

I really really dig HH brands quality and customer service so keep up the awesome work!!!

That statement from Ryan was sent 100% in jest. He and Quique are very close friends and Ryan even called for QQ at the worlds a few years ago. I think the issue comes down to market size. As great as they fly, the market is still very small for pattern type planes.

As far as planes go, I would definitely look at the Wind 50 from Sebart. Great flying plane. They also have the Miss Wind 50 which is a biplane.

Chris is great to deal with,

Arch

Ahh...well that shows what I know. I really don't follow any kind of competition and I have no idea 'who's who' so I guess the joke was lost on me.

Anyway, thanks for the info and advice, we'll see what happens.

The World Models Groovy 50 makes an excellent conversion to e-power, and it's a great flying model to boot.

FB

Hi Adam,

I have both an Aspera and a just-finished Sebart Wind 50. I too bought the Aspera because I wanted a precise flying sport plane, and maybe one I could start competing with. While I can't knock the Aspera in any way, it's just a small airplane, and istakes work to keep on line on large maneuvers, especially if there's any wind at all. Not impossible by any means but you really have to keep on top of it. I finally got a bit tired of it and wanted something bigger so went to the Wind.

Even though the Sebart Wind 50 is really not all that much bigger on paper, I can tell you they are completely different animals... the Wind tracks far better and presents much more gracefully than the Aspera. Frankly my impression is that t's less exciting because it's not as fast responding as the Aspera can be (the Aspera can snap so fast you can barely see it!) but for precision and grace this is a good thing. At this point there's no looking back for me. If you really want a serious performer, I'd go straight to the Wind (or something equivalent in size).

PS Bought mine from Chris at F3A Unlimited... he has a great package deal and has a lot of information if you ever need advice. And great stickers too

Let us know what you decide!!

Rick

For stuff that's out there now, I think you'd be hard pressed to beat the SebArt Wind 50e.

And yes, the comment earlier was in jest.

I think the 3DHS Osiris designed by Andrew Jetski is another fantastic smaller pattern plane.

 (If you're reading this, sorry Andy. Every time I say your name that's what comes to mind. If we had grown up together, I can guarantee one of your nicknames would have been Jet.)

Sebart Wind S50E flight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl9R6Id4PUQ

Nice plane (I have another Sebart plane and they are rather good built and flies very good).

/Bo

I concur with the SebArt recommendation.  I have an Angel-S 50 and it's a fantastic plane.


Rob

Carving a nice 4-point roll is truly an enjoyable experience even if you are just doing faux pattern!

I too am a big Horizon fan, and was frustrated that they do not offer an electric pattern plane. I think they should re-look at the market, and my guess is that pattern will come back now that electrics offer a clean, easy, affordable way to compete. I was really bummed that they did the Phoenix and not a current pattern plane. I searched around and went with a Sebart Wind. Their quality is much like a Horizon plane. F3A Unlimited has all their stuff and they know what they are doing.

If you go with a Sebart, just make sure you follow the corresponding thread here on RCU to get all the tips and tricks to putting it together right. Sometimes the instructions fall a little short, but the hardware and quality is spot on.

Thanks for all the info. I am currently leaning toward the 3DHS Aspera as I have pretty much everything to put in it although I do wish it were just a tad bigger. I've currently got 3 planes that are in the 60" category (although they're not pattern planes) and even though I like the larger planes, they're harder to transport and I'm running out of space in the basement to store them so the smaller plane may be a good idea for the moment. The Seb Art stuff looks nice but it's a little pricey and I'm on a pretty tight budget at the moment so perhaps that will be something I keep in the back of my mind for later this year.

So sell off the other stuff to make way for the Wind!