I've read alot about the Columbo Anderson 27% Extra and the Aeroworks 29% Edge. I'm looking for a good IMAC aircraft that can 3D as well. How do these aircraft compare. Here are some categories: quality of materials, ease of building, finished weight, 3D capability, precision aerobatics, appearance.

All inputs are welcomed.

Colin Chariandy.

To answer your questions:
quality of materials? Both are very good
ease of building? Not much difference here The CA kits are pre sheeted foam surfaces. Very quick build. (I personally own 2 of the 27% CA planes)
finished weight? About equal. This depends more on your building the kits.
3D capability? Many would give the Edge a plus in this category. The CA will still hold it's own.
precision aerobatics? This is where the Extra will shine. The Edge is not known to fly and score sequences well. One big name competitor stated "If you're flying an Edge you will need more than practice". The problem is in spin and snap entries. The Edge doesn't do this well and the straight leading edge keeps the wing from stalling.
appearance? I don't mind the looks of the Edge as is really is a modified Laser with better moments. The Extra is a classic in it's own time. This is a matter more of personal preference.

I would personally choose the Extra (as noted above) for the best of both worlds, however if 3D is really what you are more interested in then the Edge. Every aircraft is a compromise in one way or another.

Hope this helps,

EXCAP232

Sorry to butt in but who sells the CA extra? I can't find them

Cheers
Exeter

Aero-Works is the only U.S. importer. I have flown both of the planes and i prefered the ca over the edge for imac but for 3d it was the other way around. The CA's long tail make it do very good at percison and imac. It will also 3d very well but not as good as the edge. It also comes down to avalibility we arent making the edges any more so it will be pretty dificult to find one. But we do have the CA's in stock. So if it were me I would go with the CA but thats just my opinoun.

Mark

I would choose the CA over the Edge any day!

Just finnished this CA extra off. The CA extra is the most locked in extra ive ever flown, also made out of competition grade wood to. no cheap chinese crap... Not to nock the chinese they do make good food.

The only thing shared betweena Laser and an Edge is the midwing location. There is nothing the same or modified. the Edge was designed from the ground up as a seperate aircraft.

Your right though. If you want to fly precision the Extra is better in model forms. That said, if you want an Edge get it. It is more than capable of being competitive in IMAC.

Dan

Cactus also has them.

i have been judging all classes for years, and i can't remember ever seeing an edge do anything or not do anything that would lead me to think that it was at a disadvantage. the only exception is in unlimited, where the preference seems to be the extra, the more rearward cg allows faster snap entries, but in all other classes i would take an edge hands down. and that being said, i have watched some very good pilots fly edges in unlimited and do quite well. i remember when AW first brought the edge out in mass, pilots repeatedly commented on how stable the airplane was, a no surprise airplane.