I am interested in flying pattern. So happens that I am in the midst of building a 4*60 with a OS61FX (two stroke) and 16oz firewall tank. How well does this plane fly pattern ? What are its limitations in terms of maneuvers that it can or cannot do ? What are the modifications that can be done to improve its pattern capability ? Thanks for the suggestions !

PS.....Just in case the feedback is negative, are there any good recommendations for a first pattern plane in the 90 class (two stroke) or 120 class (four stroke)

The 4 stars are good airplanes. It will work for flying the entry level of pattern. The main thing is learning to fly it precisely. Info can be found at www.nsrca.org on trimming and setting up your plane.

Now its not the most ideal of planes but if its what you got cool use it. The short comings of the 4 starts are the fact they are not designed to fly on knife edge. The rudder of these planes tends to have a bunch of coupling. Meaning when you give rudder input the plane will also roll and or pitch. Most of the pattern designs have this tendency designed out. Since the 4 start is not intended originally to fly pattern it was not designed to from the start. Another short coming are snap rolls the 4 starts will not snap like a pattern model.


This all being said as short comings in the design...Lets look at the Sportsman Pattern there are no Knife edge flight segments and no snap rolls. The 4 start will do everything on the list.

AMA Sportsman Pattern

1. Takeoff

enter the box

2. Straight Flight out
3. Half Reverse Cuban 8
4. Straight Flight back
5. Half Cuban 8
6. Two Inside loops

exit the box

enter the box

7. Two point roll ( this is (2) half rolls )
8. Stall turn without rolls
9. Cobra without rolls
10. Immelman turn
11. One horizontal roll
12. Split "S"
13. Double Immelman without rolls

exit the box

14. Landing

All of these maneuvers the 4 stars can do. and some of them they do very well.

For a descritption of all of these maneuvers check out the website above for the NSRCA or get an AMA rule book. These rules books can be downloaded from the AMA site or you can get one in the mail for free by just calling the AMA and asking for one.


Good Luck and Welcome to the Pattern World


Troy Newman

Thanks Troy. I am quite interested in flying pattern and hope to learn what I can from this forum. On my 4*60, do you think I should do any mod on the wing span, and increase the width of the rudder and elevator ? Or do I build stock ? I am not sure how well it will do pattern if I were to build stock..........

Hi

We have had lots of people fly 4*60 in the sportsman and Intermediate patterns in Canada. The airplanes had no Mods done to them. If you learn to fly your plane and know in it side out you can fly the patterns. When you get to the advanced and
Expert class you will have to look at a pattern ship.

Ron

Hi Ron, thanks for the suggestions. What will be a good first pattern ship in the 90 class ? Are the MK kits worth it ?.......

Tai-Ji and Zens, Synergy 90 3D, G-Tricks, Beat-On, and a dozen other airplanes in the same class from MK and OK. Any of these airplanes will give a good chance of doing very well. Proper set-up with good equipment and practice is the key. Prices range nicely in this class for a variety of budgets.

Mark

Hi Mark ! Is any of the pattern planes you listed available as ARF ?

The Tai-Ji and Zen from World Model, Synergy 3D from ZNLine, and, of course, the Kyosho G-Trick are all ARFs.

Mark

If you watch the pattern list you will be able to pick one up at reasonable price. I have flown the Python and Olympian kits.

Also there is a Merdian 60 size which is perfect for a 90 four stroke

They are great for the Lower classes. I have flown both in advance.

But keep a eye open and you can get a geart deal as people change airplanes.

I may be selling a python this spring.

Ron