Would a 4*60 work as a decent entry level plane into Basic? I like what I hear about the build ability of the kit, and it wouldn't break the budget. A few thoughts would be appreciated... Thanks

Hi barland, I was told that many people fly stock 4*60 in the sportsman class. You'll probably find more info if you search the IMAC or pattern sections......

Thanks for the response Rajul, I did a search, and maybe my answer is in their but I didn't hit on it. I'm sure a bunch of the troops flew this plane, I'm just looking for some background on how will it did. I know there are fancier planes, but I'm looking at doing this as my first kit in addition to trying it in IMAC Basic...

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...ghlight=4%2A60 Check this out barlandd

Thanks for that link.. I see you had the same question for a pattern plane. The info was good. If anyone else wishes to share I'm still looking...

You're welcomed and good luck...........

Tough I never actually competed, I used my 4* 60 a few years ago to learn the basic sequence. I felt I became pretty proficient with it and could execute all of the required maneuvers in the proper order etc. The only problem I had is getting it to spin properly. I ended up generally spiraling rather than spinning. The wing is so resistant to stall, it is difficult for me to get it to really spin. I don't recall for sure but I don't think the new basic sequence has any spins in it so it should probably do well.

Thanks for the response. There is an upright spin in Basic now, so I find you comment about spinning a 4*60 interesting, and helpful. Still looking for more info if it's out there.

I used a 4*60 in the Basic class last year. I have an OS 91FX with a Bisson Pitts muffler in it. I also have the CG set a bit aggressively (in other words, back farther than recommended, although I don't remember the measurement off the top of my head...)

I've never had any problem stalling or spinning the plane.

This plane cannot be used for any class except for Basic. The 4* is *not* a scale plane and is therefore not legal in any of the higher classes.

This doesn't mean that you can't fly the maneuvers in the other classes, you just can't compete in them. I have flown several of the Sportsman sequences (including unknowns). I can fly most of the Intermediate maneuvers as well. I don't have enough power or the symetrical handling to fly the sequences well, but it's still a lot of fun!

Dave.

That is just the feedback I was looking for! In a way I've made up my mind to give the 4*60 a try and needed someone to confirm it as a viable choice. You used the OS 91 FX and were apparently happy with it - good to hear. Did you build it stock or did you play with it a bit as many have. Again - thanks

I flew my 4*60 in sportsman class last year for the last contest. The day before the contest I was getting a last few practice flights on my Edge 540 when I got a radio hit and it went into the ground. I showed up on Saturday with my 4*60 which is set up the following way

1 Bay clipped off of each wing half (Still a floater on landing with shortened wing)
1 Added 30% to the rudder
OS 91 FX w/ APC 15x6. (Unlimited Vertical)

The Contest director let me fly and also scored me for the fun of it since it was not a scale plane. At the end of all rounds I unoffically took first place. It is a great plane to practice. And it would be a good plane to compete in basic. The 4*60 was the second plane I built and I keep it around because it is so much fun to fly. In the winter it gets skis and in the summer it is either on floats or wheels. Hope this helps

Glad to see your reply, and hear of your success. Do you recall where you had the CG set on your plane, and how do you think it would do if I didn't clip the wings?

Barland
You would do fine in basic without clipping the wing. Clipping the wing gives the plane a bit of a faster roll rate. Build the wing standard and if later on you wanted to clip the wing it would be really easy to do. As for the CG I am at the back of the range and it has no bad tendencies. I word of advice that I was told before I started competing is "Practice your straight lines. Both vertical and horizontal" It will help you so much in the eyes of the judges. Start practicing straight level flight, use rudder to correct your heading. Get used to using rudder! Start out and fly parallel to the flight line. Then pull the plane up smoothly and do straight vertical line. Stall turn or humpty bump and then do a straight down line. You may have to hold in a bit of down elevator in your down line to keep a nice vertical line. Do this at both ends of the field until your lines become second nature. Then practice your vertical lines by doing a half roll in the middle of the line. This will put the belly of the plane towards you . This will help you with rudder inputs. I think you get the hint. Fly with purpose when you are practicing for competition. Try and make every manuver straight and smooth.

Fishgod, want to be my coach? I think we could get along. Your advice is good and appreciated. I've been doing a lot of "Minnesota Winter Flying" (on the simulator) and have tried to get out to do "REAL" flying at least a couple of times a month. Right now I'm using an Avistar - but hey, it gets me into the air. This weekend I think spring arrives here if only temporarily. The snow should go, the grass should show, I can get rid of the airplane ski's and get at it. Tomorrow I coincidently have to drive by the hobby store and I suspect I will be pulled in and leave with my 4*60. I still have enough time to get it built before the for sure nice weather hits - and if we get really lucky and it stays nice I may even pick it up in an ARF too. I'm a realist, my learning curve is long (and expensive at times) I could get "broken in" with that ARF and the kit might actually last awhile. Hey, thanks to all who have shared, and if any more thoughts are out there I will be looking forward to them.

Barland,
It is a really quick build. Once you get one wing done you can build the second in no time flat. I think that if I really wanted to bust butt and I got permission to abandon the family for a weekend. I could get the 4*60 framed up in a weekend ready to cover. It really is that quick of a build. Here are some notes that will really assist you in the build.

In the step where it tells you to glue in the pieces in on the bottom of the fuse from the leading edge of the wing to the nose (landing gear plate and 1/8th ply) skip that. Then fit your wing, square it up and then drill your holes for the wing dowel. once that is done go back and put in your gear plate and 1/8 ply.

Doing this really helps in getting this done quickly and accurately. If not it is a pain to get the holes drilled in the wing.

Michael.

The plane is a really quick build, I had one start to finish about 4 years ago in under 50 hrs. The laser cutting is like building with Legos. Cutting one bay off of each bay would be fine, I did that to a Balsa USA thunderbug. It really helped the snaps. Increasing rudder size/throw will ensure good spins also. Another good choice would be the goldberg Tiger 60. It will knife edge better than the 4*60. You could also cut a bay off its wing. both planes would be a great start to pattern as well.
What club do you belong to? I have probably meet you. I also live in Coon Rapids, my Dad and I are members of the Anoka County Radio control club, I would assume that you are in either ACRC, St. Paul, or Grassfields. (If you are interested in IMAC you must know Steve Prichard. he is at Grassfields) SPRC is going to have a IMAC contest again this year, I won the Advanced class ther last year. Also, I am running the Pattern Contest again at Anoka, So if you are starting aerobatic flying, give it a look also. With so few contests aroud Minneapolis, you got to do a few types of contests to stay busy. For me, It was Pattern in June, Scalemater qualifier in july, and Imac in august.
Wether you are looking at starting Imac or pattern, a good thread to read is in the Pattern column http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...24&forumid=232]

Brian - you have Coon Rapids residence too, you must get around! I pretty new to all this, got involved last Oct at Grassfields, still meeting alot of the people there - a great bunch!
I've also joined Anoka County, but have yet to fly there. (I'm so new the check hasn't cleared yet) I don't think I have met Steve yet, but may have seen him fly at Grassfields once last fall. Ya, I wish there were more events close to this area, wonder if Wisc or Iowa have any warm-up meets a guy could get to. I'm interested in the 4*60 because of it's reputation, it will be my first kit. As such I'm not looking to get into any fancy modifications, maybe on another one. I'm into woodworker a bit, hope some of that will carry over. If your willing, let me know when you back here and perhaps we could get together - I would enjoy it.

If you want to chat one on one send me a private message, this is most likely boring the rest. (And how many of you have asked "where in the heck is Coon Rapids? 10 minutes north of Minneapolis on the Mississippi River)

I will be In Coon Rapids next week Because it is my spring break- I am in Grand Forks right now because I am in school at the Universitty of North Dakota. The club meeting is next Thursday, I will be there And I would like to meet you.

I think a 4*60 would be OK for a low cost entry into Basic. I have one that I used to learn the fundamentals & it served me well. Make sure you have at least a Saito 91 level of power. Make sure the CG is far enough back that it will stall & spin. You might want to enlarge the rudder and/or reduce the height of the canopy to promote more airflow over the rudder. You won't probbly win a Basic contest with this plane, but that's not the point. You seem to be looking for a good, honest, low-cost learning platform & the 4* is it. If you can afford the 120, go with that one. Use good servos that center well each time - test them for that. Good luck & have fun.