NZFF

Posted: **Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:13 pm**

I have had an interest in RC planes and helicopters for a while now, and was tempted to get a large helicopter until colleagues with them suggested a plane would be less expensive to own and repair - based on their experiences with helicopters in large parks and wind shear outside....

I live near a large open area (the Gordon Spratt reserve) that is frequented by a few RC plane pilots. After a few chats with them I bought a $200 entry level ready to fly Firebird Stratos from Foamworks in Mt Maunganui.

I am having a ball flying this plane, it handles really well, has a 400 metre range, goes high and quick, but is forgiving and will allow you to get out of trouble in most cases.

Here is a link to where I bought it from:

Foamworks info page

Quick You Tube video - Google Firebird Stratos for more info

What I like about this plane is it's beginner friendly characteristics and technology that assists the control surfaces, that you can modify to give you total control and more sensitivity.

I'd be keen to catch up with any other BOP RC plane people!

Cheers,

Matt

Posted: **Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:21 pm**

I really do like the Electric stuff these days .. long whiles back the "Lowglow's" Whoops thats Chris , nah glowplug and others were fun but electrics ... COOL , ripper Matt

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:43 am**

Hi Matt
I am a member of the Blenheim Model Aero Club. I have been involved in this hobbie now for around 5 years I guess. I am currently flying a Carl Goldburg Superchipmonk and an electric Hanger9 Funtana XT50, although I have 7 models in different stages of construction. Here is a link to my Skydive page Visit My R/C Photos
I am also the webmaster for the club the website can be found Here
Enjoy the hobbie its great fun
Chris

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:20 am**

Smart (and much cheaper) move to stay away from the rotary wings, Matt.
I have a large pile of scrap servos and bits to prove my point...

Chris, great photos you linked.
This one is just beautiful

Never flown a floater, I guess it's a whole new dimension to wrecking a model - by waterlogging!

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:08 pm**

Charl wrote:
QUOTE (Charl @ Mar 4 2013,10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Smart (and much cheaper) move to stay away from the rotary wings, Matt.
I have a large pile of scrap servos and bits to prove my point...

Chris, great photos you linked.
This one is just beautiful

Never flown a floater, I guess it's a whole new dimension to wrecking a model - by waterlogging!

Float planes are the best. By far my most favorite thing to do. They look better in the air, they fly better, and trying to perfect the landings and take offs can keep you occupied for ever.

In fact I like float planes soo much that a couple of times I have completely forgotten about fuel and run out last time with bad results.I managed to land the plane fine but made a bad decision thinking about how far I would have to row to retrieve the model.
I decided to land the model on the other side of the lake facing towards me maybe 150 meters away, but at about 50 meters from shore the plane was still up on the step and not looking like slowing down, spectators by this stage were all looking very worried and were making a hasty retreat, at about 30 ft from shoe the plane went into a wild end for ender missed the water completely and landed right way up fair and squared in the dingy on the shoreline, floats and undercarriage stayed put but the rest of the model continued on to dry land, at least none of the gear got wet. but the model suffered significant damage.
Oh well that's aero modeling.

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:43 pm**

Hope ya had your special cap for the day

.... We all want a photo off the teams special headware

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:49 pm**

Ian Warren wrote:
QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Mar 4 2013,8:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hope ya had your special cap for the day .... We all want a photo off the teams special headware

LOL I'm still working on that one Ian

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:11 pm**

Yeah I do a little bit, mainly gliders but also have a F86 Sabre ducted fan plus 2 helicopters. The helicopters haven't been unwrapped since moving north 8 years ago so I'm not exactly current on those.
A couple of the F/O's at work and 1 engineer are into it big time and have some really nice machines.

Posted: **Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:10 pm**

SA227 wrote:
QUOTE (SA227 @ Mar 4 2013,9:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah I do a little bit, mainly gliders but also have a F86 Sabre ducted fan plus 2 helicopters. The helicopters haven't been unwrapped since moving north 8 years ago so I'm not exactly current on those.
A couple of the F/O's at work and 1 engineer are into it big time and have some really nice machines.

Now come on Andrew

, you have a bloody great camera .. Me .. um Mav (sorry goose) We want to see this F-86

Posted: **Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:10 am**

lowglow wrote:
QUOTE (lowglow @ Mar 4 2013,8:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I decided to land the model on the other side of the lake facing towards me maybe 150 meters away...

Heart-breaking tale... can the models be switched from float to wheels and stay flyable?

My own flights these days are with 4 rotors feeding live to an iPad, much less exciting but still interesting.
Here's the pilot's-eye view from 42m (Max range is supposed to be 50m and I wasn't pushing the envelope this early in the drone's life)

Posted: **Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:44 am**

Geez your RC rotor duzy is taking a better picture than i can with me two feet on the ground

Posted: **Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:43 am**

QUOTE

We want to see this F-86[/quote]
Ian, do a search for Alpha F86. It goes like stink and I get 10-12 minutes out the battery depending on how aggressively I fly it.

NZFF

Remote Control Aircraft