RCU Forums - First Elec. Plane

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First Elec. Plane

Currently fly Sig 4*40 and GP ultra sport 40+. Looking to buy my first electric that I can fly in my back yard which is about the size of 1/2 a football field. Looking for a 30" wingspan aircraft with and airfoil, and limited 3D capability, but more in line with the Ultra sport type of flying. Any recommendations? Can I fly a plane like this in a field this size? Thanks.

RE: First Elec. Plane

Hi Steve,

Welcome to electric flight.

Maybe something like a Stevens Aero dystraction:
http://www.stevensaero.com/shop/prod...49&page=1#tabs

Little smaller than you were proposing (about a 25" wingspan) but can easily be flown in that space, and also has pretty good wind penetration. You need to build it from a box of pre cut balsa, and cover etc, so not for everyone.

Parkzone Typhoon if you are more an RTF type could also be flown in that space but is more 3d than an on the wing aerobat.

Just some thoughts.

Cheers,
Oz.

RE: First Elec. Plane

Thanks for the info. That plane does look interesting.

RE: First Elec. Plane

Man, I might be interested in that one too. A kit for a change.

RE: First Elec. Plane

The Typhoon would be a very good choice. Another one to look at would be the E-flite MiniUltastick (MUS) and the E-flite MiniFuntanaX.

RE: First Elec. Plane

Anyone flown this Avalon 800 from Northeast sailplane? Looks pretty interesting.

RE: First Elec. Plane

I'll be getting this plane for my next project! I love kits!

RE: First Elec. Plane

If you fly from a thick grass field do most people remove the landing gear from their aircraft? My field is mowed but not very often. Also does anyone else have any recommendations?

RE: First Elec. Plane

I don't have much experience and just thought that transitioning to some 3D may be more benficial if I had an airfoil. Not the case? Thanks for the suggestions!

RE: First Elec. Plane

I don't fly 3D. However the flat place 3D planes are wildly popular, so I just wanted to ask your reasoning.

RE: First Elec. Plane

Leo L, aeajr & others

Quote:

ORIGINAL: fstevenj

Currently fly Sig 4*40 and GP ultra sport 40+. Looking to buy my first electric that I can fly in my back yard which is about the size of 1/2 a football field. Looking for a 30" wingspan aircraft with and airfoil, and limited 3D capability, but more in line with the Ultra sport type of flying. Any recommendations? Can I fly a plane like this in a field this size? Thanks.

Do you have any inside info/opinion on the "Pitts-Bipe" RTF [link]http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pitts-bipe.htm[/link]. It has one of the shortest 3D wingspans at 33 5/8" weighing only 22oz. Being that this is his first electric what about this 4-channel RTF molded styrofoam outrunner aileron bi-plane instead of a kit--unless he is really into kit building. The Pitts bi-plane represents the classic aerobatic plane. The downside of a H-L plane is availability of spare parts. With ParkZone & Eflite you know you can get replacement parts.

What about outrunner vs. inrunner. I read that an outrunner has good torque for takeoff and climbing, but isn't as good as an inrunner when it comes to aerobatic speed (rpms). Does any one have first-hand opinion or hearsay information about whether this Hobby-Lobby "Pitts-Bipe" has enough gusto as a 3D trainer for learning aerobatic maneuvers or is underpowered? Is there any 3D advantage having an outrunner instead of an inrunner?

Quote:

fstevenj,
Can I fly a plane like this in a field this size?

Depends on your skill level. I saw an experienced hobby store employee flying a ParkZone Typhoon 3D outside the store over a small parking lot that had just enough open space so he could takeoff and land.

RE: First Elec. Plane

Following is a professional review at another popular model airplane website.

Quote:

The Pitts Bipe will easily perform all the full scale aerobatic maneuvers that its full-scale counter part could perform. Stall turns are very nice with this plane as the rudder is extremely effective. Snap rolls both positive and negative are one of my personal favorites to perform and the Pitts Bipe did not let me down. Inverted flight required very little down elevator to maintain level flight. Spins both inverted and upright with proper throttle control can become very scale like but I could not get them to completely flatten out. I think if the CG were moved back slightly that this would help to flatten them out more. The Pitts performs some of the best tail slides I have seen in a plane of this size. I was able to hang it out on the prop and have it slide back on its tail very easily before applying elevator to exit out. The Pitts Bipe is not a 3D type of airplane, but it performs all sport aerobatics just great.
AEROBATIC REPORT CARD

Manuever Grade Notes
Loop A As small or as large as you would like. Very little rudder correction needed.
Snaps (Positive and Negative) A- Can be performed very easily with just elevator and rudder.
Knife Edge B- Needed a moderate amount of coupling to perform correctly.
Stall Turns A+ Very easy to perform, rudder is highly effective at low speeds.
Tail-slide A FUN!!!!!
Hammerheads A Very Scale like.
Inverted Flight A- Just a slight amount of down elevator needed.
Spins B+ Not as flat as I would like, cg needs to be moved back slightly.
Immelmans A+ One of the easiest manuevers to fly with the Pitts.

Is This For a Beginner?
I would say that the Pitts Bipe is NOT for the beginner as it does not posses the self-leveling qualities that most trainers have. It would make a great second or third airplane and a very nice first aerobatic biplane.

In rereading fstevenj's original post it doesn't sound like his first electric has to be a true 3D plane that can hover, just perform sport aerobatic maneuvers.

What 4-channel RTF plane on the market (replacement parts available) offers the best aerobatic performance(loops, snap, knife edge, stall turns, tail-slide, hammerheads, inverted flight, spins, and immelmans) for the money?