I want to get into the pattern sport,
but I don't want to spend allot of money before flying in it a few times.
would the Venus .40 ARF from Great planes do well in the sportsman class?
Or am I just waisting my time? I have always wanted to start the sport
because every body seems to love it and have a good attitude .
let me know what plane would be good for this sport around 200$
or let me know if this is the right plane or not
Thank you,

Paul,

While I do not own this plane, from what I hear it is a very good flyer. This is coming from a few guys who are pattern flyers, so I would guess they would know what they were talking about. . I saw one hanging up in my LHS, and it looked real nice and straight.

I would say that you couldn't go wrong with it, it sure does look nice. Maybe I can talk my parents into one for my birthday...

I am flying a Hobbico Spectrum with a YS .63 in the nose. The Spectrum has a few problems with the way the plane is put together but it does fly well. I have heard that the Venus is a lot better plane. The YS is a little on the pricey side but boy does it pull this plane. It has tons of power.

Dru.

Paul,
Venus will be fine. Which engine are you going to use?
OS 46, 50SX, YS 63, 53 etc are known to perform well.
Since you are in Seattle (NSRCA District 8), you are in better situation than myself. I am the only guy from Idaho.
There are at least two clubs. Marymoor used to host contest, but not anymore. RAM club hosts pattern contest.

Check out the NSRCA site for contest schedules and contact info.
Find the clubs and members who fly pattern for help.
You can see Busweiser's Miss America in June contest with Dave Villwock (the driver).
Hope this helps,

Forgot the website.
http://nsrca.org

Look at the Atlantis here http://www.bissonmufflers.com/en/air...ting_id=114515 I have one with a ST 61 it is VERY well built and flys like its on rails and its cheap.

And it looks better in real life than on the picture.

The venus is a SWEET little aeroplane, attractive, and very very capable..

I've jammed an OS 61sf in mine and after spending far too much time getting the tank position right (only gripe in the kit) it built into a really nice plane..

Oh and that rudder, MAN DOES IT WORK!.

Knife edge figure M anyone?

Thanks for all the info. It helps alot.
Hey PatternFlyer, I want to put an O.S. 91 SII 4 Stroke!
And Rendegade , what do you mean tank problems?
Is this good enough for more tha just sportsman?

Paul,
You can use OS 91 4-stroke, but be careful not to make the plane too heavy. Although it is lighter than 61FX w/ muffler (670g), 655g weight of the 91 is kinda too much compared to 520 grams of YS 63. The plane is designed for OS 70 (600g), 46FX 50SX (under 500g).

Also, make sure there is enough ground clearance for large 14" prop. You don't want to fly too fast.

The combination should be more than good enough for Sportman pattern. Although all of the District 8 pattern guys are flying 90 and larger size pattern planes, you can beat us with lots of practice!! Burn lots of fuel with a coach standing next to you as a caller/mentor!!
Hope to see you in person this season.

Hey Pattern Flyer, Are you comeing to R.A.M.S. in Seattle this year?

Not sure if I am going to compete this year.
I will probably come to Othello contests without competing.

basically, they screwed up AFAIC.

The tank position is in line with the crank case on the engine. Now don't forget that this is an inverted motor, so basically it makes it very difficult to get the motor to run sweetly due to the high tank position wich creates siphoning & pressure head problems.

If I could find an 8 ounce tank that was shorter than 4 inches I'd jam it in.

I have a Venus with an OS .70. It has *plenty* of power. If you have that engine and want to put it on a plane for sportsman, I'd suggest either a World Models Tai Ji .60 (had one and it was awesome), or for less $$, a World Models Intruder or a Swallow. Seen all of these fly, and they are very stable. Last weekend I watched a couple of Swallows and an intuder battle all weekend for first place. Any of these combos will fly sportsman better than a Venus.

The Venus is the best I've seen for a .40 size plane, but with that engine, you can go to a larger design and do much better. The Swallow and Intruder should both be close to your price range, Tai Ji a little more.

In Pattern, you want a lightweight, straight airplane. All that excess power will do is help you to scream through the box. As long as you have enough power to do the verticals, you're fine, and a .91 is just plain overkill on the Venus. My 70 will hover the Venus and easily exit vertically. No more is needed. Hope this helps, Chuck

Thank you cczarnic!
Yes, It help a buch

Hey don't forget the venerable Kaos!

I hear the new release of the Kaos .40 from Tower is really nicely done, and light. I've got one on the way to check out.

Warren,
I don't think that it would even come close to the Venus.
the Venus is more of a pattern and the Kaos is more of a funfly
If you were to get serious in the sport I would not recommend the Kaos.
Am I right guys?

Actually the Kaos was a serious contender for pattern championships...


in the 1960s.

Anyway, while the kaos is a nice humble pattern flyer, the scope to really push your personal envelope exists with in venus...

Follow your heart. It will guide you.

Wow, I didn't know that, 1960s , hmmmm.
P.S. Thats a nice plane in your picture rendagade, is that a Cap?

I was trying to keep "in the $200" range assuming he needed an engine as well.

I dusted off my "old" Kaos last year with it's Como .51 turning a 12x5 and promptly took 2 in a row 1st places with it in Sportsman. So it is a capable airframe that can do anything the pilot is capable of, even though it is not modern.

If you can push into the mid $250's the Venus is an excellent choice as well. I've flown both and the main benefit I see of the Venus is the dual aileron servos and the increased side area (although the Kaos does easily knife edge).

My 2 cents...

I agree with Warren......the Kaos is a great plane. I don't think you can go wrong with one. Mine flies fast, slow, and inverted very well. The GP Tracer might also work if you want a more modern look.

For pattern and 3D stuff I would try the Venus, US 40+, or Seduction Freestyle.

Beau


My TH Kaos .40 {kit} with .46FX and Tower muffler.......

I've got a Venus with a .46FX and GMS muffler.
With all standard servos it weighs exactly 5 lbs. with 2 ounces of lead on the tail.
Plenty light.
Fuel tank works OK. but mixture is touchy.
My only complaint is the rudder pushrod setup.
It doesn't center well. I am thinking of mounting the rudder servo in the tail with a kevlar pull-pull setup.
Minus the weight of the long steel pushrod and the lead it should work great.
Power is sufficient on 15% but on those 100degree summer days it could use just a touch more.

NO coupling of any kind in knife edge UNLESS you exceed 40 degrees of throw.

With hard use the servo tray can come loose. Hit it with some epoxy.

Best $150 plane ever!

I agree. Best $150 plane. OS 50SX in mine and not lacking in power... I recently put some lead on the tail of mine, too. No coupling in knife edge, it's great. 4-pt rolls are very nice. Haven't had problems with the rudder pushrod but your idea moving it to the tail and getting rid of the lead sounds good.

If I ever lose this one (knock on wood), I'll get another. GP did a nice job with this one.

I also have a Venus with OS 46 FX. It is a very good plane but it needs more than the 46. WIth it, the plane needs speed to complete vertical maneuvers. For example, it struggles through the top of a vertical climb with 1/2 roll and and pulling one the elevator to complete the 1/2 loop. Outside loops are really small. I tried everything between a 10x6 and an 11x7 (settled on this last one). I've heard the OS 70 FS turning a 12x9 prop will make the trick.

Also, being a small plane, you would need to fly it closer but it looks like it is rushing through the pattern.

Try the Tower .46 muffler with an 11x6 prop.

Makes a lot more power and solid vertical.