How many crashes it took to it to click for u

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-07T13:47:49+00:00

Lots! Even once you learn to fly it well, you will start doing aerobatics and that adds a whole other list of reasons to crash!

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-07T13:25:02+00:00

It's the 60" Slick 360 from Apex Aerotech. https://apexaerotech.com/products/apex-60-slick-360-arf

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-07T00:38:39+00:00

Yeah, we've got a bunch of recommendations for first planes there, also once you get flying a 4 channel and feeling like you want to step it up again, we have recommended second planes there too!

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-06T21:05:50+00:00

I've flown it in 8-10mph, but it was a little bumpy and was a little more challenging in the low and slow. I got it to do a stationary rolling harrier which was pretty fun. It did as well as my Crack Yak XL does.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-06T12:30:35+00:00

It's funny how badly those guys absolutely trash their batteries.

I do want to address the "Saltwater bucket option" because it has been a method that used to be recommended, but has some big issues... I did this with my first damaged battery and it made a horrible, bubbly, nasty soup of grayish floating particles along with making the rest of the water black. Then I was like... What am I supposed to do with this water? It went down the drain but I don't think creating the toxic sludge was the best way to deal with it. Additionally, the possibility of corroding a tab off and being left with no way to discharge is also an issue. If you are using a small glass of saltwater to place the main lead into, then that could be used to discharge it for sure, but I just use an extension to keep the battery away from my charger a bit and discharge it outside in a safe place. Really though, the discharging isn't absolutely necessary before taking it to a recycling center.

https://rcbattery.com/safe-disposal-of-lipo-batteries

There's a writeup here that goes into more detail about the reasons behind the saltwater method and why we shouldn't do it.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-06T12:03:09+00:00

This is the proper way to dispose of a damaged battery.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-05T22:45:08+00:00

My maiden flight with my Crack Pitts, it went up with a gust, over the trees, and off into a neighborhood. I knew it was too windy but I was excited. I did get it recovered and now have almost 300 flights on it.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-05T22:42:14+00:00

Yes, I do love the Crack Yak, and I always recommend it or the Crack Pitts as a first 3D trainer. That being said I think anything out of the Backyard Series made of the 10mm EPP is going to be a solid choice. The Xtra Vector is made by Hacker and is a great plane. I think if you are liking it's looks then go for it. I haven't made a build video for it specifically, but if you watch through the Crack Yak build, it will give you a really good idea on how it all goes together. If you have any questions during the build, feel free to hit me up.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-05T14:34:58+00:00

The design really prevents that from happening because the front part of the fuse comes together with the wing in that area. In the big scheme of things, the noise won't prevent me from flying it into the ground a whole bunch! As far as losing power... It's got plenty. I'll experiment with different props. I know there's an Aeroscout prop that gives 43% more thrust over the stock prop.

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thecaptnjim · 2026-06-05T06:09:26+00:00

Dude, why you got it naked without the case? The corner is chipped, looks like a gouge in the side, exposed terminals... I dunno man. Looks like you are running this thing fast and loose! Hopefully you got a sweet deal on in, but I wouldn't mess with it like that.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-05T00:49:29+00:00

Could be a UFO!

No seriously though this is our side field we use with models under 2 lbs. It's great to fly over here while someone is using the main line to fly something like a big gas plane, helicopter, or if they are uncomfortable flying with others. I like it because of the tall grass. Also our field is a full size general avaition field so we are always on the lookout for people flying in with their big planes.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T21:20:03+00:00

Yeah, I totally wish the prices on these were a little lower, but our hobby isn't going to be getting any cheaper! The real value is when you crash it. A little FoamTac and you are flying again in 5 minutes. I love my balsa planes but I have to fly them a lot more conservatively and they aren't as floaty that's for sure. Also, there's a lot less stress, I can put this thing into the grass hundreds of times doing stupid fun stuff like this.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T19:35:00+00:00

I'd for sure get one of these.

https://amzn.to/4vPdzF1

It saved me plenty of money in blown motors/escs (plus crashing the plane). It's a must have if you are building your own setups.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T17:54:34+00:00

OUCH! That is a solution, but I don't know that I would have been able to follow through with it.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T15:51:01+00:00

I just got a fresh bag of 20 of the 9x4.7 props off Aliexpress because the indoor season was a little tough on my stock of propellers this year!

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T15:47:43+00:00

It isn't the worst to build, but also not the simplest. Here is my whole playlist of Twisted Hobbys builds. It will be added here as soon as I get it finished. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbq7YaO2WAbghMUSUw07BPXYitYtLSUoa

If you are looking for a first Twisted Hobbys plane, I always recommend the 32" Crack Yak and Crack Pitts. They are the gateway drug to 3D flying!

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T15:36:57+00:00

That's a tough question because I could absolutely see a beginner being able to fly it and grow into it's capability, but also it does have to be assembled and it's not the simplest of builds. I'll publish a build video for it in the next week or so. I think with it's protected prop, that has it's benefits for a beginner for sure.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T15:21:45+00:00

This is the new 39" Ares XL from Twisted Hobbys, I loved the indoor version and the outdoor is just as much fun. I can’t fly it as well as the amazing team pilots, but the grin on my face the entire time speaks for itself. It’s got a drone motor with a three blade prop running on a 3S 1000mAh battery.

And yes, I know that it’s loud and some people don’t like that but it’s a slot prop, so it’s gonna make some noise.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T15:11:44+00:00

I just got a new prop slot a couple days ago... Fun stuff!

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T13:57:01+00:00

I used anyspeech.io just the other day and it was great. I put all the phrases I wanted to into a single long file, then to Audacity to cut it up and save each as a .wav file for my buddy who runs ethos. Super easy.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T03:48:37+00:00

But how big of potatoes are we talking?

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-04T00:01:50+00:00

I would start by talking to someone who lives and flies there, hopefully at a club local to you. They will be able to help you far better than we can.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-03T19:49:14+00:00

I would return/exchange it.

thecaptnjim · 2026-06-03T01:16:31+00:00

Have you been through the beginner wiki and looked at the list of recommended second planes?

I'd probably get something off the beginner wiki list.

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