Chip,
SMF says it all. great job

Really pretty plane Chip,....CA Models has turned the corner with a whole new level of quality and performance aircraft,..congrats!


Are there any down sides to using the 45C packs,..I swithched to EP last year running 20-25C packs with a Pletty and a Jetti 90,...Please send me a PM, so we don't get of the topic and hijack the thread,...Thanks.

Best Regards,

bholsten

Custom Airframes of America, Team Black Magic, Advantage Hobby, Guardian America, Dist. 2 FAI/F3A Champion 2009.

Thanks Bill and I will send you a PM. Real quick though I will say this. These cells feel different as far as the power goes. They are very close to the 5300´s I ran for so long as far as smoothnes but with a lot more power. There is only 1 downside and that is the weight they are heavier so if your close on that it might not be good.

Anyway I am going fying again today but last night I was looking through some old folders and found the original Visa drawing so I thought I would put it up. I believe I did this about 18 months ago. This stuff just takes time I guess but I think we hit it pretty close.

Chip

Thanks for the quick reply Chip,....thanks for the kool info. and look forward to the PM later. Too da*n cold here to fly today,...go figure,..snow and very cold in Myrtle Beach,...Global What?!


Best Regards,

bholsten

Custom Airframes of America, Team Black Magic, Advantage Hobby, Guardian America, Dist. 2 FAI/F3A Champion 2009.

Well guys I really want to thank everyone for all the support during the past 3 months while we took the Visa from idea to what it is today. A little earlier I was just sitting down to post the pic showing the fully complete all paint version that I am very pleased to say is now in full production when something very unexspected happened.

As some of you know the beautiful lady that has been in several of the photos is my girlfriend Miriam. I met her the very same day that Marcelo and I glued the first two pieces of foam together and she has been the inspiration every step of the way. The Visa is what it is because of her.

Well just as I was getting ready to hit send we recieved a phone call saying that her mother had just had a heart attack and is the hospital in serious condition. Miriam is the youngest of 9 and is very close to her parents so Marcelo is working on the travel arrangemts for her now to go be with them. I have learned from past exsperience that while airplanes are a big part of my life there are some things more important. While we have been working for months for Phoenix the Visa debut is going to have to wait a little longer I am afraid as the last place I want to be is in another country if something happens. I need to cut this short and Tony I will call you when I know more.

Thanks again everyone

Chip

This pic was taken about 5 minutes before the call

I was thinking of going to Phoenix just to see the Visa.  It can wait, your priorities are in the right order Chip.  Our thoughts are with Miriam and her family.

There will be more contest, family first and let Miriam know her Mother is in our prayers

Damn straight Chip! More important things than toy airplanes. I doubt anyone could fault you for your decision.

Chip
The right decision. Family & friends come first. Our prayers are with Miriam, her family & you.

Bob G.

Chip,

My Dad and I will keep Miriam,her family and you in our prayers.

A.C.

AC, Doug, and everyone else thank you guys so much for the well wishes. Miry´s mom is out of intesive care but not out of the woods yet. She is with her now and calls me a couple times a day to let me know whats going on. I forgot to wish everyone goodluck at Phoenix and its killing me not to be there. Most years Phoenix comes and I am nowhere near ready. Miry and I are going to be in the US for a run of contests in April and May and she cannot wait to meet my friends.

I have decided to stay down south until then in order to help Marcelo and make sure that we deliver to the US and elsewhere the best possible planes. Not the best for the money, just the best. Some of you will see Tony´s Onas this weekend and that is just a sample of things to come. We have regeared the factory to build 10-12 as close to perfect ARF´s a month, prepare Chris´s kits and a few ARC´s, that is it.

In closing just because the Onas Visa and PP 2010 is all in full production don´t think weree on cruise control, there is another really cool plane in the works, so keep checking the site for a sneak peak. Realistically I can only Envision it being ready by mid summer but you never know.

Again goodluck guys

Chip

I realize its been a little quiet on the Visa front but that doesn´t mean we haven´t been working. Here are a couple of pictures of Todds new red Visa and Steve Hannahs pink one side by side.

Todd and Steve a long with a few others have been nice enough to let us try a new technique I came up with on there wings.
Everyone knows the all paint wings and stabs are gorgeous when they first arrive but we also know they don´t stay that way on the bottoms for long. Especially if flying of asphalt. This is what I have always disliked about the all paint planes, and there is really no way to prevent the rock dings.

Anyhow what we are doing with their models is I hope the best of both worlds. Silkspan-paint on the top, and Ultrakote on the bottom. First we silkspan, then we Ultrakote the bottom, bringing the seam just around the leading edge on the top. At this point we go to the paint shop and mask off the bottom of the wing. Next is the primer which is overlapping the Utrakote and once sanded hides the lines with just a tiny amount of filler. Now we paint the top like normal up to the clear part where we remove the paint line on the bottom then remask and shoot the clear. Once polished there shouldn´t be any line at all, and if there is, it will be just under the centerline of the leading edge so it will be next to impossible to see.

We are not doing this for weight, as there is no difference, or for ease of contruction as that to is the same. It is purely to help keep the bottom looking new and to help the customer be able to do maintainance without needing to be a professional painter. I will post some pics tonight or tomorrow as we finish up these first sets.

Chip

PS Chris recieved his kits but I hear they are going fast

One more of Steves

Chip

Looks great Chip,

I wanted to clarify with folks about the ultrakote on the bottom. For me, this is the best of both worlds. I fly off a runway surface called Polypavement. It is a polymerized clay/dirt composition. You mix the polymer agent in with soil and roll it out. The surface cures like concrete and, best of all for my field, it is bio-degradeable. Sounds great, right? Well the only problem I have with it is that it is always giving up small particles. I found that the bottoms of my painted wings on my old Pinnacle were getting pitted whereas my Passport ultrakote wings still look great. The ultrakote seems to hold up better and shows less wear and tear.

When I ordered my Visa I couldn't decide if I should go painted or ultrakoted. I had some issues with ultrakote blistering in the sun so I wasn't crazy about that on the Visa. But, I didn't want to deal with the pitting and potential cracking caused by grit and small pebbles. Now, I can have my sun resistant upper surface and not worry about the bottoms of the wings.

We'll see how it works out.

The paint schemes are outstanding. Maybe you guys should do a reality TV show. "BA RC". Actually the BA is Buenos Aires not bad A- like people would think. I'd watch it just like Orange County Choppers.
Chip it's great to see the products rolling out of the shop again. Your stuff is beautiful. Mike

Mike thats to funny I never thought of it like that. I would be Sr. lol I am still laughing cause you don´t know how true it is sometimes.

Chip

Chip,

Those look awesome. Great job on the paint. Hope all is well with your gf's mother.

Arch

Chip I run a printing company here in Chicago and it gets real blue collar at times. Trust me I am the real Paulie Sr. It's just the way I roll. Mike

Those look so good! I wish I had 10% of the artistic talent CA has. Can't wait to see them in action!

Chip -

Those Visas look awesome! Paul Sr????? Chip, no disrespect, but you don't look the Paul Sr. type. You remind me more of Danny DeVito in Taxi, hahahahahaha

I probably should save those until after I get my plane, shouldn't I? Why do I suspect you might have something like "Super J_w" sprayed on mine when I get it :-)

Mike

P.S. - are you a resident in Argentina yet? Just looking for a potential U.S. team spot to open up for the rest of us :-)

Its amazing to me who can be successful in business with comment like that. Lets see, hmmmmmmm I have your money and your airplane. I am thinking green base lol

Nahhh SR would just break it in half.............................................. ......

I didn't say that you didn't have Sr.'s temperment, anger issues, etc........ I just couldn't picture the physical likeness :-)

Hey, history has many examples of the not-so-bright being extremely successful. In my case it must just be good looks (I couldn't even type that without gagging).

I call your unknowns.....at least when you are winning, so I feel pretty well insulated, lol. Carry on my friend :-)

OK OK black, white, red, silver, blue. Hey the same colors you´d be if you called the unknown wrong cool. lol

you will love it I just saw it all white.

Chip

There are those anger issues again :-)

I have no doubt that would be the color I'd be.....isn't that why you asked me to call for Lockhart, so I'd get the practice round in :-)

Just kidding Dave, if you are reading this thread.

Who??? Maybe next year if the flight order is different Chip will be your round of practice calling

Dave