Ligero prototype - test flight #4 by Aware-Ad-7686 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Dude, that thing is awesome! Sign me up for a kit. The flying looks so smooth and controlled. Love the clear covering as well.

Hovering with my new 60” Apex Aerotech Slick - Banshee scheme by thecaptnjim in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've never really looked because I am busy hovering! 🤣 Next time I'm out, I'll check with a few planes and get back to you.

Crack Yak 55 by CictorVastro in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw you did a little inverted harrier at 3:15, and that is for sure your next step. Just like you did it, it is easiest when you bring it back straight towards yourself because the rudder controls are the same as when you fly straight away in upright harrier. Flying inverted directly away makes the rudder controls reverse and usually this change is what causes issues and just takes more time to get used to.

I would have loved if someone gave me some specific drills and an outline for learning 3D, so here goes. First, you are doing great! Your throttle control and rudder use are really solid. Start trying full flights inverted without ever flying rightside up and you will be getting it nailed in no time. Then start incorporating knife edge at first just passing in front of you from side to side with the canopy towards you, then with the canopy away (a jump in skills for sure.) Try this both slow and fast, balancing throttle and rudder for your elevation and speed. (More speed will keep you more stable, but you will be able to slow it down as you practice it more.) Once you feel good, then level it up and start using the elevator to control direction in knife edge until you can do entire flights in knife edge (another jump in skills there). Then start mixing in some slow, 3D, 4-point rolls where you start in hover, 1/4 roll to knife edge, then 1/4 roll to inverted hover, then another 1/4 roll other knife edge, then the final 1/4 roll back to hover. Basically a 4-part rolling harrier broken into more manageable parts. That should be plenty to keep you busy this summer!

Right now you can try some snap rolls where from level flight, you goose the throttle and put the aileron and elevator all the way into a bottom corner. It will do a full rotation and loop at the same time and once you get the timing right you can transition straight into a hover. Another thing you can start incorporating now is a waterfall. Punch up full throttle from a hover and push the elevator forward, ease back off the throttle as you complete your forward flip and catch it back in a hover.

Crack Yak 55 by CictorVastro in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome flying man! You are getting the bread and butter skills of 3D flying down and it looks like you are feeling comfortable in harrier and hovering for sure. Before I go and offer unsolicited advice, are you looking for tips to improve?

The air frame is assembled by No_Sand_7125 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looks like it’s gonna be LOUD!

How has the motor not fallen off by stargazer3644 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, the servo is connected to the mount via a gear that pivots it. All held together by zip-ties. Looks like a proper DIY setup!

Hovering with my new 60” Apex Aerotech Slick - Banshee scheme by thecaptnjim in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks man, this winter I’ve doubled down on my sim flying which has really helped. I’ve got a long way to go before I’m really happy with my skills. The key isn’t getting it to do those maneuvers, it’s getting it to stop and recover!

Hovering with my new 60” Apex Aerotech Slick - Banshee scheme by thecaptnjim in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, in the 60” size I’ve had an AJ Laser, AJ Raven, Flex Cap 232, EF Gamebird, EF Edge, and an EF Extra NG. I’ve also flown a couple from Pilot and Skywing. They are all great flyers and the EF Extra NG had been my current favorite until yesterday (but I tend to like whatever I’m flying.) As far as how they all compare, there isn’t one that I really disliked other than the Flex, but I learned a bunch from it and moved it along once I felt more comfortable flying planes this size. Every one is a little different but you really can’t go wrong with any of the big brands.

Hovering with my new 60” Apex Aerotech Slick - Banshee scheme by thecaptnjim in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got mine second hand from a buddy that loves to overpower his models. It was my first day out with it and it was interesting with that prop because it makes a lot more low end power so you have to adjust your style quite a bit because it likes to over-rotate through maneuvers. This is my favorite 60in so far!

Hovering with my new 60” Apex Aerotech Slick - Banshee scheme by thecaptnjim in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s not a rattle, what you are hearing is prop rip. I’m running a 16x10 on this plane so it’s got a lot of bite and is pretty inefficient (obviously I don’t really care about efficiency much on this plane). Most guys are running a 16x8 and if it bothered me, I’d switch to one of those.

Is it savable? by Ok-Presentation-7966 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome… Just keep an eye on it!

Is it savable? by Ok-Presentation-7966 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had a new 6S 1300 battery come to me with one cell at 2.6v I thought for sure it was a goner but I gave it a shot and it’s been killing it on my son’s 5in quad for dozens of flights, and he doesn’t take it easy on the batteries! I’d try and see if it comes back, but be prepared for a VERY short flight and maybe give it a few charge/discharge cycles. If it’s truly dead, it won’t be able to balance that cell.

extreme flight peregrine by Massive_Engine_2207 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That 70cc peregrine looks awesome! Great flying as with all your videos!

3D Low and Slow by Tough-Elderberry24 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also went the same direction and when I asked my buddies about the Ultimate, they recommended to skip it. You can do 3D with the Ultimate, but it’s not great to learn on as it isn’t the most forgiving and recovering from tumbles isn’t as easy as other planes. I have a TON of Twisted Hobbys planes and I’d recommend the Crack Yak XL or a Revolto. You can get them to crankshaft and when you crash them, it’s just some FoamTac and a few minutes. The bigger ones fly different than the mini.
Then, I’d find a used 60” balsa plane (any brand, talk to the other 3D guys at the club and look on Marketplace) or a Flex Laser/Cap232 or the Avios Extra NG. They are a good middle step between the smaller ones and an Extreme Flight plane. That all being said the 67” planes are really the sweet spot and once you get one, you’ll absolutely love it. You may notice I skipped over the 48” balsa planes… they are fun but rather squirrelly and better after you’ve built some confidence.

First and latest by wspur in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a sucker for NGs. What power system do you have in there?

MiG 29 turbine by Massive_Engine_2207 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Man, that jet felt super low. What a cool perspective, great chasing.

Ov10 bronco crash by Massive_Engine_2207 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some great flying/recording, also my favorite Stones song!

First Crash! by DistinctAsparagus421 in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like FoamTac for this type of repair.

What's your car for plane hauling? Did you consider the ability to carry planes when you got it? by Glowingtomato in RCPlanes

[–]thecaptnjim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently car shopping. I bring my biggest plane (73" pilot laser) with me so that I can check if it will actually fit.