Almost lost Easy Star

[bearcat]

I flew the Easy Star today. And it was really windy. I got it up about 100 ft and it just flew in one spot, not penetrating the wind at all. Everytime I turned it, it flew further and further away, until it was up over a housing development. So I went full throttle to try and fight the wind and come back, and it was flying backwards.

I thought for sure I lost it. I powered the throttle off before it went out of range, and neutralized the controls to hope for a trimmed-out self-landing somewhere. Then we ran a bead where the plane was last seen, over a half-mile away gliding down with the wind behind some trees. We jumped in a truck and headed that way, jumping over a curb and driving across a field towards a subdivision.

Driving through the subdivision, I couldn't believe it, but I found it sitting on the one concrete pad in the entire place. It had landed on a foundation for a future house, and was in ONE PIECE!
The canopy popped off because I think it landed in a nose-down attitude, but it's fine! Unbelievable.

This plane needs about twice the power, and I have to enlarge the size of the elevator. Not enough effect to counter a stong enough wind. I won't change the power plant right now, but it needs a small outrunner, really.

[bearcat]

Okay, so I learned something about Elapor foam. As long as you're in a cooler climate, everything's happy. But you get into 100+ degree weather, and the thinnest elapor foam on the plane begins to curl up. That being the horizontal stabilizer. The fin's okay because it's stabilized with a wooden rudder. So I've got a permanent up-elevator situation here, and can only fly it straight and level with full down on the controls. Crazy, huh?

So I decided I've pretty much mastered the Easy Star and I'm ready for a version with a better motor and ailerons. This is a Chinese rip off of an Easy Star, made with EPO foam, but it is a LOT more powerful. It cost $33 if you order it directly from Hong Kong, and shipping is actually more than the plane. But still a bargain at $73. Don't buy the AXN Cloud Sky in the U.S. It costs too much, anywhere from $99 to $200, from what I've seen. Rip off.

I found it using a search on "AXN Clouds".
Here's a You Tube of how it does. Notice how nicely it takes off from the GRASS! Something a stock Easy Star could never do.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxkCoDd5Wqg&feature=related

[Lt Swiss]

The modern world meets Mother Nature. She almost always wins...

Cool 'lights' video. I've done that and it is tougher than it looks...

Hope you're well.

[bearcat]

I am well. Thank you. And you?
I sure do miss all of you guys.

Here's a pic of my new replacement for the Easy Star. The Easy Star is retired due to heat-related warpage. This one is a similar design, but it's got ailerons...

Awaiting bullet connectors, but otherwise it's just about ready to fly now. How do you like the paint job?

[Lt Swiss]

Beautiful!!! Love the Swiss colors!

[bearcat]

Well, it's a little more beat up now. I've been flying it. Haven't had a real smooth landing yet, because the ailerons had way too much sensitivity on the throws. Very hard to control. I did fly it though, quite a bit.

Gotta tell ya, this is a GOOD aileron trainer!!!
It is a lot harder to fly than an Easy Star, even though it looks the same. I've already mastered the Easy Star. But this thing takes a little getting used to. However, I CAN now fly with ailerons. It's not that bad, just have to be a lot more careful. It's about 3-times faster responding than the Easy Star.

It is massively powerful. That 3-bladed prop really gives it jet-like performance, which you guys would love...but it's a bit much for me. However, it flies about right with 1/4 throttle.

I like it, it's something I can grow into. BUT...the nose kinda needs the paint job freshened up now though.


I think I will re-power and rebuild the Easy Star. Because sometimes, I just want an easy flier that I know I can do. I can see alternating between the Easy Star and this new plane. Or at least warming up with the Easy Star, (which needs a new motor and a new tail).