I just wanted to add this review as I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, please note that I'm a FIRST time RC pilot.

Hello all,
This is a review from a first time RC pilot.
This is what I found most useful for me....

1-Select a day with low wind. less that 7mph, check yahoo.com and click on weather and choose your zip code, usually you want to fly your plane as soon as you receive it, but also consider that is almost sure you will crash your plane if its windy.

2-When flying the plane coming in your direction control is backwards, if you want to level your plane move the stick in the direction is diving, lets say your plane is diving sharply to the right -> move stick to the right.

3-If you are in a situation of panic -> release stick, the plane will level

4-Do smooth turns, the plane is not the slowest on the marked, but is not that fast.

5-Use sun glasses, it will help a lot.

6-Let the plane climb, you wont loose control over it, it wont fly away, let it climb, try turning, up, down etc, once you fell comfortable, you can bring it closer to you.

7-The plane is an excellent glider, when is really up... stop motor and get the fell of the plane without engine power, you will notice it will fly smoothly, this will give you a good idea how it will control once you are trying to land your plane.

8-If you don't have pavement, remove landing gear and hand launch.

9-Leave ATC on TAPE LOWER SENSOR using dark electric tape, this will disable the sensor from working, resulting in you not loosing control over your plane, but will limit you from doing "aggressively" turns and over controlling. most of the time ATC will be "fool" from reflections and other stuff, this will make you loose control over the plane. Just tape and enjoy.

If there is something else I'll update.

Ok ok the review....

The plane is an EXCELLENT plane, I really can't think of something bad to say about it, my firs flight was really bad, I crashed the plane so hard the wing snapped out and broke the rubber bands, also the plastic stick that hold the rubber bands in place broke off, this was totally my fault, this is a beginner plane but is not a tank. This was related to the controls inverted when plane is flying facing you.

It was an easy fix, I used a tie wrap to hold new rubber bands in place.

Second flight I was aware of my mistake, and having that always in mind I did about 15 landings using 3 battery packs I purchased with the plane, total flight time was about 1 hour, remember that I did a lot of gliding, and landings were perfect.

This is one of the most beautiful fliers I've ever seen.

GREAT PRODUCT!!!

Hi Fmf rc,

Welcome to RC Flying!

Glad to hear of your success. A couple of words of caution: 1) Don't trust the wind forecasts. The field where I fly has one set of flags right next to the field, and another set of flags about 1/4 mile away. You won"t believe how many times the wind is DRAMATICALLY different in that 1/4 mile span. I have found over the years that the silly little red ribbon that HobbyZone and ParkZone supply with their planes is one of the best and most accurate indicators of the wind conditions at the flying field. Attach it to the tip of your transmitter's antenna anyd you will know the direction and speed of the wind at all times. I plan my take-offs and landing according to the direction of the wind. There have been several times when the wind changed direction significantly while the plane was in the air, requiring a change in landing pattern.Sinice the antenna and ribbon were right in front of my face, I knew exactly what changes I needed to make to land safely. 2) Be very respectful of trees. They are never as far away, or as short, as you think. Some flyers believe that they actually reach out and grab planes because they love to eat them! Seems like a silly notion until your plane is gobbled up by a hungry tree!

I see that you are from NYC. So am I. I fly at Kissena Park in northern Queens. What is your location?

I'm very close to La Guardia airport and I fly in the Flushing Meadows park, usually early in the morning when it's less crowded.
Thanks for the advise, I do have the ribbon in my controller, I've tried following all suggestion on manual and advises like your's that I've been reading on the forums.

Actually I got inspired to go beyond RC flying toys when I saw a individual flying in Kissena Park, he was flying a 3D white plane, it was very cool, he recommended going to big apple hobbies, but I ended going to Willis Hobbies.

Just one question, should I land against or in favor of wind?

Thanks.

You should alway try and land with the wind comming at the front of the plane. So that would be into the wind. If you land with is at the back of the plane it will glide right by you.

Fmf rc,

You must know Charlie and the other early morning guys. I've been trying to convince them to come to Kissena in the mornings, and we now have 5 -6 guys flying from 6AM to 8:30AM on Saturdays and Sundays. Sometimes I fly at Flushing Meadow on weekdays on my way to work, but having the expressway right next to the field worries me and the trees that surround the field are a pain. (As you pass through the gate, look at the tallest tree directly at the farthest end of the field, near the lake. I had a plane stuck in the very top of that tree last summer.)

Its always best to take off and land directly into the wind. Since the plane's ability to fly is controlled by the speed of the plane compared to the air, not the ground, you can take off and land in a much smaller space when the plane is facing into the wind.

Hope you can make it some time to Kissena. I look forward to meeting you.

Thanks Leo,
Actually just today I spent some time talking to Charlie and Robert, usually I fly my planes during weekdays from Monday to Friday in the morning from 8:00AM, so usually I don't have the chance to talk with the guys, but they are very cool group of people, they've given me a LOT of advise.

Just today we had a "issue" as some man said that the field is not for RC planes, only for those "wired" planes..... they're like a kite more than a plane, so we had to step out until he finished fliying the "kite".

Is this true?
Have you heard anithyng about it?

Seems strange to me, if the cord of the plane he's flying breaks, it will propably cause more damage than an RC, as you won't be able to have any controll over it.... We just had to wait until he left.

Also could you please provide cordinates as in google maps for the park you use to fly?

I might go some day....

Take care.

Hi fmf rc,

The planes that were being flown are called "control line" planes. Flushing Meadow is one of the very few places that has a designated field for them to fly. Whether or not R/C planes are allowed to fly at that field is a topic of considerable controversy. If you look at the sign next to the gate, it indicates that only tethered planes are allowed to be flown there. However, the Parks Department personnel send all of the R/C parkflyers there and one of the R/C'ers told me that he has a letter from the Parks Department Commissioner indicating that the field is approved for R/C use. On the other hand, I was told by the president of the control line club that he has a letter from the AMA indicating that the field is only approved for control line flying. The general policy that most peole are following is that the control line flyers have first rights to the field. Whenever they show up, the field is their's. When they are not present, R/C is allowed, as long as it doesn't get out of hand. (Some of the R/C flyers are their own worst enemy!)

Sometimes I fly at Flushing Meadow on weekdays on my way to work, usually around 6:30AM, but I really don't like that field. The "flying field" at Kissena Park is actually four base ball fields arranged in a rough square, with a common center field. The fields are right next to the bicycle track, and there is a convenient parking area for your car. The entrance to the parking lot is at the intersection of Booth Memorial Avenue and Parsons Blvd. Once again, some of the R/C flyers have been the cause of problems and the Parks Department personnel will chase you during the "busy period" of the day, beginning at 8:00AM. You can fly before 8:00AM with no problems and usually late in the afternoon, the last hour or so before sunset. The coordinates are: Latitude 40.7436 N and Longitude 73.8112 W.

Thanks for the reply and explanation Leo,
I really have no clue about any rules related to the park, to be honest with you I have no idea was AMA is.

Anyway, is there a department that I can call to have this clarified?

I just don't want to get in any trouble with police, other fliers or any other department.

That day we had the "issue" I listened to the man and just left, because I had no idea what he was talking about, sometimes it seems dificult to find a place to get the "oficial" information.

Again Leo, I really apreciate your comments.

One last question, when you say I can be chased out of the park, what exactly are you refering to?
Can I get in trouble?

Thanks.

Hi fmf rc,

Let's answer your questions in order.

1) AMA is the national organization that oversees model aircraft use. You can become a member of AMA by paying yearly dues. They publish a periodical, provide flight insurance, and oversee the operations of local flying clubs. There are AMA sanctioned fields troughout the country where people can fly their planes and/or helicopters. If you want to fly at one of these fields, you must be an AMA member. As far as I know, there are two AMA fields in NYC. Floyd Benett Field in Brooklyn is for R/C aircraft, and Flushing Meadow is for control line aircraft. AMA insurance covers you in the event that your plane hurts someone or damages property. You don't have to be flying at an AMA field to be covered, but you must be in conformance with all local laws.
2) The best way to find out whether or not you can fly your plane at the field in Flushing Meadow is to contact the Parks Department. (Good luck in trying to find a person who will understand your question, let alone give you a correct answer.)
3) Technically, NYC requires a permit for any activity in any of the public parks. If you want to set up a volleyball net and play a game of volleyball, you technically need a permit. If you want to play soccer, you need a permit. If you want to fly your plane, you need a permit. However, use of any R/C vehicle, whether car, boat, plane or heli, is not permitted in any of the parks except in the designated areas as mentioned in Item 1 above, so you cannot get a permit for Kissena or Flushing Meadow for your R/C plane. If you fly your plane without a permit you are violating the law and you can be fined. You are also not covered by the AMA insurance.
4) The Parks Department Police will issue you a warning for your first infraction. If you disregard their warning, they will give you a summons for the second infraction. (I believe its around $100). The fines become significantly greater with each infraction.

For the most part, if you fly at a time and in a way that does not put others at risk, they will leave you alone.

Leo, thanks for the information you have provided.

To be honest with you, if I had know that flying an RC plane is such much trouble I would never had buy one.
Legally speaking I cant fly my plane in NY, I do understand when you say about "time and way" of flying, usually when I go to fly my plane at the park there is one or two folks running or riding bikes, but not close to the field.

I will keep on flying, but if at some point someone tells me not to do so, that's it I'm done, I've never been in any kind of trouble with anyone in any way, and I want to keep it that way.

But to be honest with you I find it very stupid.

Also I've seen a lot of people playing with nitro cars close to where the "big globe" is in the park, usually there is a lot more people at that place, so I kind of believe that officials wont be on your back if you don't give them a reason.

I'll just try do have some common sense and hope for the best.

I appreciate taking time in replying this thread, RC is a cool community, if you see a guy flying a phantom, thats probably me.

Take care friend, if you want to contact me please fell free to email: [email protected]

Hey guys, good thing i read this blog.

You should introduce yourselves to the other fliers that fly at kissena, i am one of them.
We usually fly early in the morning before the parks guys come to work, and late in the afternoon when no one is around.

We are trying to keep them from kicking us out and we are trying to form an organized club in queens for park flyers only.
This way they will leave us alone and designate a soccer field or baseball area. Since alot of people can't make it to places like floyd bennit field or longisland,
we are going to form a park pilot club program from the ama. So we need as many people to get together to make this happen. And yeah its less expensive than your standard ama.

Please do not fly in the area of the houses at kissena, which means no flying over the tree borders "Thats a no fly zone". Keep it inside the field. This not only keeps us from any incidents it also keeps the hobby shop that is near by happy as well.

o by the way always check with the guys who run their r/c cars there, Some of the park flyers that you buy will come on the 26 or 27mhz frequencies. That can cause you a bad day if you fly. And also check with other people that fly there to make sure you are not on their channel.



One last thing, there is a new sign at the flushing meadows park control line circle that says no r/c flying. Please keep out of there "AMA field". They will fine you a ticket now. (at your own risk) I know the president of that club, he is a good buddy of mine, I fly there when he is present, otherwise its off limits when he is not. He knows our situation and is working on helping us out to have a field setup for us.

I know its stupid with all the crap we are put through but we have to play our cards right in order to get a field.


Keep it safe.

Perfect....
My email is on previous post just let me know what we have to do and how to help.
[email protected]

Hi New York Flyer,

I'm terrible with names, so I refer to many of the flyers by their planes. So which flyer are you? I'm pretty sure that you are not Tony, so I'm guessing that you are either the Mini-Funtana guy or the Typhoon guy. As you can see I'm Leo, the guy with the Christen Eagle/Trojan/Typhoon/J3Cub.

I agree that the houses must be considered a NO FLY ZONE. However, baseball fields with people playing on them must fall in this catagory as well. I've seen too many of the evening flyers fly their planes directly over the players. Sometimes our fellow flyers are our own worst enemy. Many incidents and accidents can be avoided by some simple common sense and basic consideration for the rights of others. Like the mid-air collision last week between the plane and the heli. If the heli flyer had taken notice that the plane flyers were all using a common landing area, and had found a different area of the field to fly, therer would not have been a collision. Likewise, if the plane flyer had announced his intention to land, the heli flyer might have warned him or landed the heli, again preventing the collision.

Usually when I fly is before 7:00AM during week days; I never fly my plane if there are people in the baseball field.
I don't feel comfortable flying on top of people heads.
I agree with Leo comments.
....Still waiting for information in regards to Park Flier club.....

I like all of you to know that I have been flying since 1978 and during this time there was an accident with radio control model and the Parks Commissioners daughter. The young girl was struck in the head and died.
The park that this did happen was Flushing Meadows.
Since this time we are not allowed to fly in any city parks. We must have AMA cards to fly in any radio control park or field.
I also want to bring to your attention when asked to leave the park from parks or police department you do so with no conflict. Conflict would only have you fined and your model confiscated.
As an AMA member I must ask all of you with our new quite, clean, no mess hobby, we do not fly over any ones head and keep to the rules.
We are getting away with flying our electrics because they are quite and clean. We all practice safe flying we should not have any problems with Law Enforcement agency.
I ask you all be AMA insured and fly by safely. Lets keep the hobby in our own parks.

Hello gedipeter,
Could please clarify?
I believe that AMA insurance only applies if you are flying in an AMA approved field.

So far all of the guys I've met on different parks only fly when no one is on sight.
Usually when I fly my plane the park ranger and personel is close by... since I fly on very early morning time they leave me alone.
None of the park fliers I've met will fly when park is crowded.

I don't like nitro panes, for my taste they are a little "scary".
The heaviest plane I have is less than 2 pounds and doesn’t fly more than 15 miles, this is less damage than a baseball hit by a bat.
Thanks for you r comments

Is this a thread about the HZ Phantom ?

1. Anyone think the ACT is helpful - not helpful?
2. Anyone tried the little 8 cell 9.6v battery?
3. Anyone tried flying with a pro-tail mod?

1. In my experience ATC is a good idea gone bad, provided you have enough altitude it will work better, in most cases it just makes you loose control over your plane, it will shutdown the engine and apply some up elevator, in most instances if you are flying low, or trying to avoid an obstacle it will result in a crash, however you can limit the rate of the elevator/ruder by disabling the lower sensor and using ATC. Just use some dark tape over the lower sensor (like electric black tape), this way it will help not to over control the plane without the risk of having your motor turn off and loose control of the plane.
2. I only use factory battery, they are cheap and you can buy them on most local HS, I have 3 and that provides a lot of time.
3. By moving the control rod to the inner most hole in the clevis I believe is enough rate and aggressiveness to fly and perform any "acrobatics" possible on the Phantom.
Search in youtube for some videos from a poster called "NightFlyyer", he is a real pro... and you will find the he flies stock, and is able to do some very cool stuff, even rolls.

Regarding AMA insurance: it will cover you whether you are flying at one if the sanctioned fields or not, as long as you are not doing anything ILLEGAL. If you are flying an R/C plane or heli in NYC and you are not at Floyd Benett Field, you are technically flying against the law and AMA insurance WILL NOT COVER YOU!

The Pro Tail mod drastically changes the flight characteristics of a v-tail pod and boom plane. I don't know of anyone who has made one for the Phantom, but it works great on the Aerobird Challenger, Aerobird3, and Firebird Freedom. I would love to hear of someone trying it on the Swift and on the Phantom.

Hello fmf rc



Hello gedipeter,
Could please clarify?
I believe that AMA insurance only applies if you are flying in an AMA approved field.

Yes this is true also if you travel like I do to Long Island you can fly legally in any school yard or parks and even in beach parking lots and be covered by the AMA because they allow it. Parks, beaches, and school yard posted by signs that state: NO ELECTRIC OR GAS PLANES ALLOWED. DO NOT ENTER.
I do fly in beach parking lots during the winter and after 5 PM at night when no ones around.

So far all of the guys I've met on different parks only fly when no one is on sight.
Usually when I fly my plane the park ranger and personel is close by... since I fly on very early morning time they leave me alone.
None of the park fliers I've met will fly when park is crowded.

This is also true that Parks and Police will not bother you as long as your NOT endangering the park, or wild life. They will chase you during wild life mating season and when it becomes a dangerous situation.

I don't like nitro panes, for my taste they are a little "scary".
The heaviest plane I have is less than 2 pounds and doesn’t fly more than 15 miles, this is less damage than a baseball hit by a bat.

I have left the hobby for a while because I could only use the State parks on the Island and found them to be over run by retired and they monopolized the field by tinkering around with their planes, not giving up the frequency they used. I got tired of driving for one hour and not being able to fly. At that time it around 1988 I was working full time and in school so I could not go to the meetings and was band from the field. They wanted me to leave work early and not to attend class. I notified the AMA of the event and was told by them that a clubs are a good idea. I agree but I would not expect any one to give study or work just for a half hour or so of meetings. And like you I hated nitro, too noisy, messed up the car even with protective covering and the smell. Had to clean the plane, oil the engine. NOT FOR ME.
I got into electrics back in 1989 when Tower Hobbies introduced them but back then we had another very good company, Cox, they made an electric with weight less then one pound. Great Flyer. I try to stay clear of the two pound airplane because when they are flown dead stick they still weigh two pounds and put the force of speed to impact to ones body, one could need any where from two to eighteen stitches
in the head to close the wound. I was in Florida when a flyer was hit by a one in a half pound airplane, he was killed on the field. These planes of any size can and will cause pain, death, disfigurement to anyone, they do not discriminate. I love the pusher type airplane my self, the motor and prop are behind the wing pushing the air toward the rudder or rear of the plane and under two pounds. I enjoy the hobby, building and flying. I tried to get fields to fly in but one rule of thumb by the AMA. We need a hobby shop owner to be our back bone for the approval and the City Of New York to over turn the law. I am a legal flyer and I hate to pop anyone dream but I have been through all the red tape over the years and found that to enjoy the hobby I have to fly illegally.
I fly in local parks in Astoria, Parks and Police left me alone because no one was around, they sat watched and when one person was running in the park, I stopped flying and left. I only had one problem with Parks department was in Cunningham park, I was in the parking lot and was told to leave, I told the Ranger I was sorry and I did not know I was not allowed to fly and I left. I never tempted the hand of faith, If I see Parks or Police, I ask can I fly or not. Most of the time they let you, but they also let you know if any ones walking in the park you must leave.
Please be polite to all Law Enforcement agency.

ELECTRICS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO FLY.

I AM EXPERIMENTING WITH 2.4 GHZ RADIO.
BAD NEWS BE CAREFUL, THEY HAVE INTERFERENCE FROM THE FOLLOWING:
2.4 GHZ INTERNET ROUTERS
2.4 AND 2.5 GHZ PORTABLE HOME PHONES
AND SOME CELL PHONES
MORE ABOUT THIS LATER, I NEED TO ASK A FRIEND WHO KNOWS MORE ABOUT RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE.
FLY ELECTRIC, FLY SAFE, FLY QUITE.
I AM ON YOUR SIDE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. BUT THE LAW IS THE LAW AND I FOLLOW THE GUIDE LINES.



DO NOT VALANTEAR INFORMATION TO ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ABOUT RADIO CONTROL FLYING IS ILLEGAL IN CITY PARKS, THEY MAY NOT KNOW THE LAW.

As I have said on many occassions, inconsiderate flyers are our worst enemy. I was speaking to a flyer the other day who was genuinely upset that he had to stop flying when a coach of a little league team complained and threatened to call the cops because the kids were repeatedly distracted by the plane being flown over their heads while they were attempting to play a game of baseball. He just didn't get it. This is the same guy who, two years ago, landed his Minimag directly behind a guy playing center field at a softball game and had the guy trip over the plane as he tried to run back to catch a fly ball.

I have been flying for a little more than 3 years. Most of my flying has been at Kissena Park, which technically does not allow R/C flying. Each summer, careless and dangerous actions by some of the STUPID flyers has resulted in a temporary crack-down by the park police. One time when I witnessed a particularly dangerous activity by one of the fellow flyers, I warned him that if he did not stop, I would call the police, even if it meant that I could no longer fly at that field.

WHOA!!!... gedipeter I never thought that a 2 pound electric plane could do so much damage.
I really apreciate your comments and sugestions... I'm new to the hobby and it seems there is stuff I don't know, and having someone with experience is really good. I apreciate your concern.

I would apreciate your comments on the following:
When I fly at Cunningham the fields are 100% empty, it's a big field and has about 4 baseball fields, however there are popele walking around the baseball fields, not inside... I don't know if you are familiar with it.
I never come close to people walking as I only fly inside the baseball fields.
Would you consider this a bad idea?

Thanks.

A side benefit of foam parkflyers as opposed to balsa is that a foam plane will do a lot less damage than a balsa. If you compare a 2lb. foam plane to a 2lb. balsa plane, the inertia is the same for the two planes, but the "crumple" zone is vastly different, therefore the energy transfer is also vastly different. Keep in mind that on a balsa plane, the frame members that are carrying the primary loads, like the motor mount, are actually plywood and not balsa. Take a piece of plywood and a piece of foam and try to bend/break each one. The plywood remains rigid and requires a considerable amount of force to deform it, while foam deforms at the slightest force. If you are flying a foam parkflyer that is 2lbs. or less, don't worry about the occassional person walking near the flying field. Even if you lost control of the plane, its highly unlikely that it would crash exactly where the person is, and if it did, it would not cause serious injury. When I was learning to fly, at one point I actually flew a 1lb. plane into my chest as I was trying to land it and got the control reversal thing all screwed up. Very embarrasing, but absolutely no injury.

Thanks Leo.... I've been thinking a LOT about all this stuff, and I'm really not enjoying when I fly.
I'm not exaggerating it's becoming stressful.

Tomorrow is flying time!!!

Hi fmf_rc

Just for the record I was chased by Parks Department at the baseball field inside the park.
I do how ever fly between Francis Lewis Blvd and the 295 on 73 Ave on the right side.
Police and Parks Department stop they watch but say nothing to me. I am in the park at different time in the morning and in the after noon. Saturdays mid day people are flying helicopter. This field are used by soccer, baseball, golf players. When no ones around I fly, 27, 49, 72, and the new 2.4 GHz radio.

STAY OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND FIELDS IN THE PARK.
THEY WARN YOU BUT STAY CLEAR FOR A FEW WEEKS LET IT BLOW OVER.
As far as I am experience please don’t give me titles. I am only experienced with laws and facts. I have been fighting a losing battle tying to get the Parks Department to over turn the laws and give us flyers a couple of the baseball, soccer fields.
I went to Politicians for help but they do stick together. And for U-controllers they stopped me from getting fields, they were the first one to protest. FLUSHING MEADOW PARK OFF LIMITS ALL TOGETHER YOUR TO CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT THEY STOPPED KITE FLYING. THE FAA, FCC AND THE AMA WOULD HAVE A LOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

Keep it, electric, quite and safe