Whats a good 50cc IMAC "arf" plane.
Everyone talks how well their product 3ds but rarely talk about how well it tracks.
Looking for a winter project to replace my last glow plane.
Thanks

Columbo Andersson 27% Extra 300. Comes in at about 14lb with DA-50.
Snaps stop instantly when the sticks are released.
Not personally into IMAC/Pattern, but this one wouls do well, I'm sure.
Nice little ship. Glad I built one.

Try the QQ YAK 54 , 82" I don't know if they have as a Kit. Or try the CA Model Galaxy.

No personal experience yet but I am eying the H9 Extra 260. I would like to get some reports from fliers that have one. However, it has all the right credentials.

The Midwest Extra is an excellent sequence flier, though it's more of a project than an ARF.

T-Bob how about AEROTECH sorry couldn't resist...

I also have the Columbo Anderson 300l (kit built) and it has excellent tracking ability. Rudder authority stays very pronounced throughout the speed envelope. I am flying it with an old q-52xl and it will pull out a couple snaps on the up line without difficulty. I can't imagine the ARF being any different. Builds quickly too it can be finished in a month easily, a winter no problem, get the arf and be flying in no time.

I am flying a Laser 200 in the Basic class this year. It is doing okay but I think the CA mentioned earlier would do better. Whatever you buy try to get something with an airfoiled tail surface, it will track better, as I found out with the Laser. The laser has flat stabs and I stuggle with tracking smooth/flat lines as the tail ocilates slightly looking for home.

The H9 260 is a good flying airplane. I have flown it with a Moki 210. It does have all the right stuff. It is also set-up for a DA-50 from H9.

V-Snap pretty funny
I would think the Planes Plus 27% and the Colombo Anderson are pretty much the same?

Which Laser 200 do you have and with what power?

Thanks

Too small, too high of a wing loading, not nearly as "beefy" as the other 50cc planes.


The best 50cc ARFs :

Currently Produced NOT in order of preference:

EF Yak
Wild Hare Edge / Extra
BME Edge
TOC Yak / Extra /Edge
Comp Arf 2.3
Planes Plus pro Extra
Chip Hyde Vision
Chip Hyde Double Vision


About to be released

QQ Somenzini 84" Yak
BME Yak
BME Edge II (second gen)


There are others as well. I did not put the H9 on the list because I have seen it in person... a nice glow plane, but way too small and weak for a DA50, at least the way I like to fly.

The Columbo planes are ARCs (i.e. you need to cover them) the PP are full ARFs.

DP

I was kinda thinking the same. I'm sure the H9 is a good one on glow but the extra weight of the gaser was a concern. Glad to hear another oppinion about that. Thanks

Um...I was chicken to say that about the 260 but now that it was said I agree. It is funny how different some groups are than others because I have actually heard or read somewhere(here on RCU) that the 260 was over built.

Laserdude,
I am actually flying the Laser 2000 made by Kangke. It is powered by a BME 50. The plane/engine combo does a nice job for a basic pilot. Or should I say it does what I tell it to do...right or wrong. If I had a plane that knew what to do you guys would be in second place.

I have a great flying Aerotech 29% Velox Rev II. I think this 50cc plane is highly under rated. I have flown the basic and sportsman pattern with it and have found no bad habbits on this plane in the air for these patterns. I am having a blast with mine.

I have the Plane Plus 27% with a DA50 set up for IMAC and it is a winner! As the other have said before track straight and true and light! You will not go wrong.

Kitman

Comp Arf 2.3 DA50 + ks pipe. Tracks straight stops instantly on point rolls etc.

Desertpig pretty much hit it. I love my EF Yak for fun flying but I am having issues with getting it to fly like all the Extras I have flown. However, I have not yet spent much time on setup, and I think I am a bit tailheavy and have way too much rudder throw for most IMAC type maneuvers.

Wildhare or CA/PP Extras look enticing for precision flying as well. Given the fact that I am on a limited budget and starting a 34% project, If the Yak ever goes in, I may replace it with one of these more economically priced planes...

KITMAN

I'm liking that the 27% Planes Plus with the DA 50

Any more info on the plane

Weight?

The EF YAK--or any of the lookalikes are good for a 50
The EF is my favorite
If you are on a tighter budget - go on EBAY and get one of the 280 buck Yak/
Extra/ EDGE - absolutely killer value.
They track and maneuver extremely well
It is ALL in the setup .
Best one
lowest wing loading highest power loading - all the rest is just not worth mentioning.

I have a Kangke Laser 2000 with a ZDZ 60. It's heavy and doesn'y fly anywhere near as well as my World Models 80" Patty 300S with G-62. The Laser is almost 3LBS heavier than the Patty----and it flies like it. The ZDZ turns about 300RPM MORE than the G-62, but it's not near enough to make up for 3LBS.

IMO--the World Patty flies both sequence and 3D better than the Laser 2000. It's just lighter and has a better thrust/weight ratio. I have had them both set up for 3D and then re-programmed them for IMAC. I like the Patty better.

The Laser snaps easier--because of the high aspect ratio wing, and the wing loading. It's also harder to make it STOP snapping. It doesn't have the grunt for the Humpty Bump, Sharks Tooth, or the Cuban 8's. It even struggles with the loop, if I try and make it too big. It lands fatser, and doesn't have enough poop for great 3D. It tracks okay, but does over-rotate in aileron rolls and snaps--unless your quick

The World Patty is the best flying ARF I've ever had. But, consider that I've never flown many of the currently available models. I've had the Patty for 3-years--so it's what I'm used to flying. It is SUPER CRISP!!. It flies light and smooth. It tracks very solid. You just point it where you want to go and it GOES. It lands smooth, and does both 3D and sequence work nicely.

The Patty isn't the best 3D plane for me. It will do it. No problem. But maybe it's my nerves. Haven't got the guts to hover it down low or do ANYTHING too low to the ground. I usually keep it above 100' off the deck. Maybe it's the $$$ ($1800)

I prefer a cheaper 40 size glow plane for 3D stuff. Not so hard on the wallet if I smack it.[&:]

I too have an EF Yak and I love it. I also am having a hard time getting it tamed down for IMAC. In my first contest I had too much throughs and I struggled, I hope to do better this weekend. I have created a seperate model memory in my radio for IMAC. I hope to do better.

If you are looking for a new plane for IMAC, I would NOT suggest a 50cc size. I flew in sportsman class with my YAK and it was the smallest plane in that class. I feel that a 33-35% is the way to go. If I were looking at an IMAC specific plane (which I am) on a budget to build this winter (which I am) I would look no further than the GP Extra 330l (which I did). By the time I am done I will have less in this plane than I have in my YAK. I am sure there are other 33-35%ers out there, it might be worth a look.

Just my .02

Hi Ric,

What engine do you plan to use on the GP Extra?

Thanks

LaserDude,

If I had the cash right now I would buy the 3w75 that is in the marketplace. I have yet to decide. I might look for a good used BME 100-106, or a good used 5.8 out there. I have heard that the FPE 5.8's are awesome. So, to answer your question, not sure yet. I only have one stab and elevator done right now. So I have a lot of time to decide.

If you have a suggestion I am game.

Hey Ric a buddy of mine had one with a ZDZ 80 on a can in his. Flew great. Had plenty of power for anything he could think of. He flies IMAC intermediate with it prior to changing out to the new WH 260. If you mount the motor at a 45degree it will put the can right down the center of the fuse. Check out Dick Hanson this is usually how he mounts his motors.


Chris

My EF Yak and I, got sixth place at this years nats in sportsman, it was the smallest plane there, all the other's were 33-40%.
You are at a disadvantage with a smaller plane, but it can be done. I hope to fly intermediate with it later this year. I guess I just like a challenge.
You can't get any EF Yaks right now, but the QQ yak is coming out soon, and a beleive the same factory builds the QQ Yak, that builds EF.

Hey Ric, guess I don't have to tell you how much I liked my GP 330L. If you can find a good used BME 102-105, that would be the perfect engine (light, powerful, very quiet using the stock mufflers).

I'll catch you this weekend's IMAC and see how you're doing with reduced throws on your YAK (there ARE some instances where more is not better).