Hi all,

I need to get out after work and practice, practice practice. I'd like to find a small airframe that flew "sorta" like my Swallow EX90 and YS110. That way, I could grab an hour after work without taking the whole shooting match in with me.

I'm trying it with an old Cosmo Glint and a TT36Pro but whilst it flies very well, it doesn't have the throttle dynamics of the big planes.

Has anyone tried to build a small pattern trainer? that has about the same power/weight ratio the larger planes?

What are your recommendations, or is it best to just fly the same plane all the time.

Steve

This has been asked a lot of times before. Generally everyone recommends these planes:

1. The Great Planes Venus 40

2. If you have a Swallow why not get a Lark 70? Its a smaller version of your plane.

3. The Hanger 9 Aresti 40 is a nice plane too.

All of the above use a .46 2S or a .63-.72 4s. If you want to fly precision use the above motors. More sport flying oriented guys are putting in .61 2c engines and boring holes on the sky.

Models smaller than these just do not track well. Look into .40 size plus planes.

I have just finished a MK Alliance (58 inch wingspan) with the same purpose in mind. Power is a YS 63, and it is a superb combination. Model is not cheap, and has to be built, but well worth the effort. I bought mine from Noel Barrett in Ireland
( http://indigo.ie/~nbarrett/ ) It is also available at Phil Williams' Probuild site in England.

The venus is a nice flying aeroplane, but just make sure you build it light and have lots of power to spare.

I've got mine running on an OS 61sf, and it's UNBELEIVABLE, how many vertical snaps would you like?

Pilot Beat On 30/50 Balsa kit is good. I heard it is cheaper to get pilot kits in Aus.

Venus is good. (ARF),
Lark 70 had mixed reviews. (don't remember what was bad), Hirobo Stream 50, JR Propo Explorer V50 etc.

Lark is too heavy for its size/suggested engines. I have an OS 61 FX in mine with pipe, still runs out of steam on long verticals.

There is the even smaller Magpie. That would probably be ok on a strong 40 engine.

what do you guys think of the Hobbico Spectrum? Its really cheap and I want to dabble with a pattern style plane

I will have a Saito 100 soon that will need a new ride as well.

The Spectrum has a reputation for coming apart in flight. The Venus or Aresti would be better choices in ARF's or the Great Planes Ultra Sport 40+ if you want to build.

I have seen a few ARF at local shops that would be nice for the Saito 100.

EXCAP232

The price was just to good to pass up.. I bought a Spectrum, and have about 20 flights on it so far.

The kit itself leaves a bit to be desired regarding the finishing details. But, with care, it will go together pretty well, and once finished, actually looks better in real life than in photos.

I installed a Saito 56 in it, it flies the plane fine, but for long verticals a Saito 72 would be a better choice. The 100 is probably a bit too much engine for the plane.... The three construction negatives I have about the plane is: 1) My fuselage had a warp in it, requiring that the vertical stabilizer, and other flying surfaces be offset a tad to line up properly... Double check all allignment measurements before securing the wings and tail-feathers. 2) The second negative is the landing gear mounting method.... It will absolutely fail on your first landing. The Fixed landing gear blocks are not securely mounted to the main spar at all, and the four screws that hold the landing gear block in place will not hold, but will permit the landing gear block to twist out of the wing. Ask me how I found this out on my first landing. Following that first landing, I have since built a plywood box that is permently secured inside the wing cavity, creating a very tight fitting cavity for the landing gear blocks... and I still used the 4 screws provided to hold the gear in place, but, the gear can't twist out of the wing during landing. It has totally solved the problem.
3) Finally, the plane comes with the CA hinges pre-installed and glued in place. Some of the hinges are not glued in well, so be sure to re-glue all the hinges, if you don't, the planes control surfaces will come off during flight, hence the complaints regarding coming apart in mid-air. (Give every control surface a good pull test before you consider the plane finished.) So, besides that, I have had no indications of any other weakspots, or stress cracks.. It has been a very solid plane in every respect.

The plane flies GREAT, very pattern like in every way. It's a great practice pattern plane. Also, I have gone dead stick a couple of times, and the glide is absolutely terrific and very controllable.

Finally, the flight characteristics are so good, that I get comments and compliments from the other fliers. The plane makes me look like a better flier than I am. The other fliers at the field are also considering buying one for themselves.

For $100 you really can't go wrong.

rayko




I suspect the plane is going to be discontinued, hence the deeply discounted price.

Try a GP Venus with an OS 61 in it.

It's the best 'no fuss' plane I have ever had, and flies like it's on rails.

-David C.

I judged a pattern meet in Maine today where Intermediate was swept by the CD flying a Hobbico Spectrum. Plane had no problems doing the schedule, flew straight & smooth, looked good all around, great visibility, handled the wind well. He did mention having to strengthen the landing gear mount. He powered with a 2-stroke, I believe a .61. My personal preference is for the Venus, of which there were a couple in this meet as well. Mine is getting its wing re-covered, otherwise I would have flown it today. Not to be overlooked is the Cermark Javelin, currently on special at $150+s&h. One of these flew in Advanced, had all the flight characteristics of a genuine pattern ship. Put a YS .63 in a Javelin and you've got a serious contender for not a lot of work or $$$.