I recently chose the Hobbico Superstar EP as my entry into RC flying, after many hours of researching reviews and alternatives. The only real complaints from other flyers I found (including the RCUniverse review) was short flight times. However, for my first lesson my instructor and I were unable to fly at anything other than full throttle, and had to hand launch the plane as it was uncontrollable by him on the ground (he has been flying for 30 years). Even on my bigger battery (see below) it only flew for around three minutes.

I had bench tested the motor at home and got 6 minutes with the stock battery (8.4v, 2100MaH NiCd) at 5/8 throttle and 15 minutes with an 8.4v, 3000MaH NiMh. The only adverse condition at the field (paved landing strip) was that I would put the wind at 15mph with gusts a bit higher.

My instructor urged me to install a tailwheel so I am getting the one mentioned in the RCUniverse review. That review also listed some performance upgrades that are very expensive (the motor alone is as much as the entire ARF package). Are there any other alternatives I can explore (including alternative power upgrades, batteries, etc.) or comments that can help (such as the experience of others indicating the wind was the main problem and to try again in calmer conditions)?

Thanks

tessmar,

Yup, you've got to swap out that fishing weight of a motor. Below is a thread worth reading but you will find it hard to locate the Endo motor they talk about since they are no longer made. No sweat - I found a couple of Trinity 17-turn motors on eBay for $15 each and they work great! (look in the RC car accessories section)

The SSEP is a sweet flier with the motor swap, and the tail wheel addition will make a world of difference for doing ROGs. Unfortunately, they marketed that plane with the motor from h*ll and about all it's good for is a fishing weight. Follow some of the mods in the link below and you'll be amazed how good a flier she is without spending a fortune.

However, I must add that with its 1 lb.+ per square foot of wing loading area it does not make a good "trainer". Best to look for something in the 6-8 oz. per sq. foot wing loading area like the Slow Stik or Pico Tiger Moth from GWS for the learning curve. That's not to say you can't learn on the SSEP, you can. It just may cause you more frustratation with the number of inevitable crashes due to the higher speed you need to maintain flying the SSEP. The Slow Stik or TM are both nice SLOW flyers giving you the reaction time needed to learn, and they both do it on a real budget.

Good luck!

Aeromite

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257186

hey aeromite, I'm curious how your running your 17t motor, are you using a gd-600 with it? I have a 15t orion rush and was wondering if it would work? Would the esc handle it?

Aeromite
Thanks for the help. I looked long and hard at the foam alternatives but was (perhaps unwisely) turned off by the crude construction. Also,my instructor seemed to want me to get something that, as you pointed out and I realized quickly, was more difficult to learn on but would ultimately help (hopefully) advance my skills more than those alternatives.

If I make some real progress with the SSEP I'll likely modify it as you suggest. However, if I find that the learning curve is too steep for my novice skills, I will probably go the Slow Stick route before spending money on the SSEP. I gotta learn how to "crawl" as a flyer before I can "soar." The challenge will be knowing when to make the decision.

Thanks again

By the way, I checked the box asking for e mail notification if I got a reply but did not get the e mail. Any idea why or who to contact about that?

Aeromite
Can't say I understand all the electrical and mechanical nuances. You did not mention whether you use a gearbox or not. I assume a gear box acts in the same way as a car's transmission...crudely speaking a torque multiplier. If you use one what is the gearing?

I have found some Trinity motors at www.hobby-warehouse.com. They advertise (but do not show a picture) a 17 turn model TRIC0217 for $17.49. There are no specs shown on it. Is there any other inofo I need to make sure this is similar to what you mentioned in your response to me?

Thanks

hey guy's
i'm using a Trinity speed gems pro TITANITE motor 15 turn double with a 10 tooth pin and a 11X7 prop. it takes of great from grass and i get flying times of 4-5 min full throttle and 6-7 min half throttle. lots of power for touch and goes. after a full fly the motor is not hardly warm. I have ran 3 batteries in it with hardly any down time between flights and the motor is not hot to touch.
great thread guys keep it up

[:@][&:][>:]

I too had problems with the lack of performance of the stock motor/battery setup. I purchased a 275 watt, 980Kv outrunner with matching 30A ESC off eBay for less than $30. Then I strapped a 3s, 11.1v Li-Po to the top of the cowl (because the change in CG would not let me install it inside the fuse). I added a 9x6 APC prop. With this setup I can fly for at least 20 minutes per flight with only moderate throttle management. With my self-made steerable tail wheel, ROG's are a breeze.

If I knew how to attach an image, I would post a picture of my modification.

OK. so that was my first reply/post so I messed up on the pictures. Here is another one that clearly shows the motor/ESC installation. BTW, with the outrunner and 9x6 prop I can climb almost vertical. I fact I have to crank in some down elevator just to keep it level!

Quit *****in about the stock setup! The airplane has over 40 watts per pound and if you fly 'on the wing' it is fine. Yes, more power means more aerobatics, but you only need 30 watts per pound to fly. I've seen glow fliers (yes, I flown glow - lots) stall electrics into the ground because there isn't enough power (hint: quit pulling up elevator and stalling)

I'm putting the motor out of a Electrastar with A123 4 cell pack in a superstar ep. That's the set up used in the 5-6 pound electric into a 3 pound electric. Power is fun but low power flying is fun. Your saying something is bad, when it is only you don't know how.................

If your instructor is an old glow pilot, he is probably used to highly over powered planes. Nothing wrong with that.

As you noted, the plane will fly as is. As a basic trainer, that is all you need it to do.

You can boost performance in one of two ways. Add power or reduce weght. Go from NiCD or NiXX to Lithium to shed ounces.

Go from brushed to brushless to add power.

You may also find that you have the CG a little too far forward. Try shifting the battery pack 1/4" back and fly again. See if it makes a difference. If it feels better, move back another 1/4". Fly again.

And check to make sure the prop is not on backwards.