What is a good beginner 6o size pattern plane..perfer an ARF..thanks wc

You can't go wrong with a World Models Tai-Ji 60, or Zen 90, both fly good.

Greg Morris

a Kaos........ lands like a trainer, flies great, stable.......

I second the World Models....
also the Swallow or Lark by giantscaleplanes

Both the Swallow and the Lark fly really well but consider these two points: The Lark is quite small, it's a "40" size plane. This may be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your situation but bear in mind that the bigger they are the better they fly.

Secondly there is a lot of evidence to support the conclusion that the Swallow is not really strong enough for day to day flying, certainly off grass although you could build a case that it's not strong enough period. There was a post elsewhere in this pattern section about it a couple of weeks back and there are many other stories about this on the UK newsgroups and aerobatics forums. I myself am currently in negotiations with the UK distributer about it so this isn't just a case of "mine broke so I'm going to try to put everyone else off it..." It does fly well just be prepared to spend some time and money beefing it up a bit.

James...what are the known problems with the Swallow?

I heard of a couple breaking in the fuse center during knife edge spins.

Did you think of the WideBody 60? You can get it as a kit or an ARTF. www.camodel.com.ar or www.planesplus.com

How about the Synergy 90 ARF by ZN Line models? It would offer lots in the future once your skills are developed, in terms of both 3D and pattern.

Well Derek, the synergy is a lovely bird but for starting up (for me ) is an expensive bird.... upwards from $500 for that kind of money I can get a swallow or taiji complete with servos and engine.

I flew the Bridi Killer Chaos with an OS61fx my first year of pattern.
It was very competitive in sportsman. (Two 1st's and a 2nd). I
began last year with it flying intermeadiat, and found the power was not suffeciant for the full roll on vertical upline during the stall turn, and it ran out of steam the last quarter of the outside loop from the top. Finished 3rd in the only meet I flew.
I considered putting a 91fx on it, but was advised that in order to score well in any class above sportsman, A REAL pattern plane was necessary, due to the WOW factor. Altough Bob Fortino won the NATS in intermeadiat in 2001 flying a Boxer, I believe there is some truth to the wow factor thing. I have a Focus/Webra 140 about ready for this season.
I also have a few flights on the GP Venus. (ARF 55' wing).
I am really enthusiastic about this plane, as are many, judging by the threads about this plane. Although I put my 61fx on mine, I understand it is very happy with the OS46fx. The only down side is that the bottom is pink, and it did'nt take long for my friends to figure out what rimes with venus....
Summary: Start with an inexpensive plane, get your feet wet, and if you have as much fun as I am, you will be hooked....croz

Hey Bluemodels, what about the Sunfly 5 and Dirtybirdy. Both really great flying models and the last time I checked , still available from Bridi. Had a .40 size Dirty Birdy with an O.S. 52 F.S. and was the most fun of any plane I've ever had.

An excellent choice is the Kyosho Majestic 40 size. Mine is very happy with an OS 46FX and standard size radio gear. I have comapred the plane side-by-side with the H9 Aresti and the KY wins hands down. Point rolls and knife edge are awesome with this plane. If I had a little more money I'd get a G-Trick with a YS91 or similar. I will be making some competitions with the Majestic this year in Intermediate so I'll let everyone know how it goes putting this plane up against the big boys.

Flyfalcons, Why buy a G-Trick, when you can have a ZN Synergy 90 for similar money?

And bluemodels, i know its not an ARF, but what about the Pilot Seduction 90? I have the 40 size freestyle, and it is a real nice kit, it should be a great build and is really good value.

I'm split (will check teh price$$$$) between the
Tai Ji (60) or Zen (50)
The Swallow EX
The Majestic (had forgotten about this one)
I think power will be an Irvine (.53 for the Majestic or Xen or .72 for Swallow or Taiji)
I like the landing gear of the Swallow as we fly from a grass runway

I have the Tai-Ji 60, with a YS 91.....I'm using Bolly Fix gear on it.. I really like this plane it's a good honest plane, and very powerful knife edge, mind you my Tornado-2 have a solid knife edge and so does my Gator Giles 202.....

Daniel D.

Hi guys,

I used to fly in the sportsman cat a few years ago before college, and used a GP ultrasport 60 on a OS 60 fp mixed with lots of practice. Did pretty well at the meets I went to, and had lots of fun.

I don't think GP makes the kit anymore, but the plans are still avail.

Brian

I have two Bridi models and fly them and like them a lot, but I think there's a reason the 2 meter ships are all as long or longer than their spans. The modern ships have longer moments to increase the tail volumes and allow the CG further back, making for an airplane that stays pointed where you point it (near neutral stability). I'd stick with the Tai Ji, Seduction, Widebody or other miniaturized 2 meter airframes, as large a size as you can afford to load with a good engine and equipment. (Planes Plus sells the CA Widebody 60 for $399 ARC or $199 kit)

I have the swallow EX, I haven't got the chance to fly it that much, but it tracks nice, and flies very smooth. I use a Irvine 72 (with tuned pipe), and there is enough power for me, however, not enough for 3d-type flying. I would buy new linkages etc. if I were you. There are a lot of other good planes out there too, I think the wide-body looks good, but haven't tried one (yet).

Be very wary of buying the Swallow. Mine broke up in flight and wrecked my YS91 and the Rx. My shop refuses to stock them any more after so many customers came back and complained that their's broke up in flight. There have been many posts on threads on RCU about the Swallow breaking in flight or on landing. I saw the UK distributor's Swallow break on a gentle landing! It flies nicely but it's not safe.

HarryC; Do you know if there is one 'common' breaking point for the planes? Would be nice to check that before I wreck it. I've checked everything, and it seems to be in perfect order, so it would be nice to have some input from the unfortunate who have experienced it breaking..

If you are really starting out I would reccomend a Goldberg Tiger 60. really easy to fly, precise, can do all the manuvers and has a strong airframe. it can handle any 60-91 2C or 90 4C.
It is cheap, and doesnt limit you to pattern, either, it can be a sport flyer/bang aroud plane. trike gear.

I still think that the Widebody 60 or ZN Synergy would be the best. (It seams expensive, but remember, you get all top quality hardware already with it.)

But with the Synergy, you would definately have to go with some beefy servos, all that control surface area. Thats gotta push up the price.

The widebody may be good, but the ailerons are still pretty big for a standard servo.

What setup are you going to run is yours robert?
What hardware comes with the synergy or widebody?

You can see a vid of the Kyosho Majestic, up in the ARF forum. This one has an OS 46FX with standard servos.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...666&forumid=57]

THe Widebody comes with no Hardware, the Synergy with pretty much eveything (I think). Check the photos on www.znline.com for a pic of all the stuff you get.