Peter Roberts

Thanks for sharing your NX experience. Having had my JR and Spektrum Module combo for some years without problems with either Tx or any Spektrum Rx I concluded the JR kit and module were good and reliable especially as Spektrum kit was built on adapted JR kit. I was sad that HH USA wouldn't sell me an updated module with DSM2 & DSMX compatibility. The JR screen is a nice big screen and I'm used to the roller selector and menus. I did buy a JR 2.4 module unfortunately just before they ceased business so it was a waste of money for me. I normally hesitate when new tech is first issued but thought as NX had been out for a while it was worth asking. Doesn't sound like too many responders have taken it up so I do appreciate your feedback. I wonder how good the latest gen of rx's perform and whether together with smart ESC's and batteries they are becoming ambitious or overly complex? I hope to get some more experiences - thanks to you and all other responders for sharing your experiences.

I've had my JR 9 channel TX for years and upgraded it with a Spektrum module when they came out. I have recently been thinking of buying a new one. As I can't get JR kit anymore have been wondering about Spektrum. Does anyone have any thoughts on the new Spektrum NX series? Are they backwards compatible with my current Spektrum DSM2 and DSMX receivers? Does the software perform well and what are the downloadable configurations like? Does the wifi training facility work with other Spektrum Tx's? Would love to know your thoughts and experiences.

Have you got any of these buried in your shed spare? Have you smashed this plane and kept the tail and stabilisers? I want left and right stabilisers HAN461005 and 6 I bought the kit some years ago but it went into storage. I opened it to build this week and found its missing the stabilisers. No shops, online dealers, Hangar 9 or Horizon Hobby have any or any plans to make from. I can’t find any on eBay either! Can you help?

Keith's advice is good - the bandage I think is a glass fibre bandage - easiest from a wing joining kit - don't stint on it as you need the strength. The obeche covered wings are excellent. Do you have the assembly instructions with the kit? I would also suggest using protex, or solartex or similar for covering - the fibres built into the covering add 30% to the strength of the finished model - a lot stronger than ordinary solarfilm and counts in a major way to the integrity of the plane. On Epoxy I absolutely use 1hr epoxy the slower set makes it significantly stronger. I use it for major construction projects. Otherwise worth having 20/30 min for quicker sets.

Posted by Wilco Wingco on 16/10/2020 17:08:22: I recently had a conversation with Paul Heckle regarding the engine for a Flair Kite. He recons that most people over power them and recommended that an OS 48 FS is more than enough power for a learner. He should know ??? Absolutely great advice - and I bow to Paul Heckles as he is a brilliant instructor, examiner and flyer and has helped me in setting up and has a wonderful emphasis on the importance of correct mechanical setup. He can make the Kite sing as well as fly. I originally flew my Kite on an OS 40 which I found underpowered and somewhat un responsive to the weight of the build. I later replaced the engine. In building electric I err on the side of excess power to handle the weight of the build. I had no guidance so was guessing at a lot of it. My club now has the electric version as one of its trainers. Edited By Peter Roberts on 18/10/2020 11:55:55 Edited By Peter Roberts on 18/10/2020 11:56:28

Dear Bas, You asked about 'electrification' specs. I wanted to modify the basic kit to allow flight under electric power without compromising the inherent strength of the Kite which is one of the things great as a trainer to give confidence and to deal with sudden 'arrivals'. So worked on providing plenty of power to handle the relatively heavy build. I also wanted it to have a reasonable duration (8-10 mins) leaving at least 20-25% battery left to secure battery life. In my experience also it has additional power to allow the instructor to 'save' it if needed and also has the most outrageous vertical performance (if that's your thing). Generally it flies fast enough on no more than half power but has a reserve on 6s to give better duration and confidence. The specs therefore are Motor Battery - 5s or 6s LIPO - I use Turnigy 6s 4000 to be housed in modified fuel tank bay RX power separate NIMH / Eneloop 6v 2500 mah (for all day flying) ESC - I prefer 80A to keep cool and provide plenty of headroom with XT90 anti spark connectors Motor - Turnigy G60 500Kva powerful and good value Prop - 12 x 8 I like APC but the photos show a Master which I fitted first. (My glow version uses 11 x 6 prop). Note on props I do not use 'electric' props as I find them too flimsy and they break regularly in training whereas as standard prop is a lot more durable and its weight is not an issue with the power available. To keep things cool I opened up the rear cowl slightly and mounted the motor on a ring and rod mount, located the ESC under the fuselage, added air input from the motor bay and via side air scoops and allowed large air extract vents to the rear of the battery location and in the bottom of the rear fuselage for good airflow. The lipo is located in what was deigned as the fuel tank bay. This is extended rearward by cutting through the bulkhead to allow enough clearance to insert the 6s from the front but with the connectors at the rear of the compartment above the large vent hole which also allows the ESC cable connections. I hope that helps Peter   Edited By Peter Roberts on 18/10/2020 11:59:14

My understanding is that the inventor of the Kite was 'jbaviation' and supplied ATS flying school (in which Paul Heckles was one of the instructors) with the Kite which became known as the ATS Kite. I think that version contained modifications suggested by the school to improve it as a trainer. I think the man who built the Kites for ATS eventually became ill and wasn't able to continue his business and only supplied ATS. I think eventually this wasn't possible and Flair became interested in taking over the manufacture of the Kite and outsourced it to China but to their spec. I was told they had to have a minimum order of a large number of kits and when finally delivered to the UK didn't sell in as big numbers as they hoped so they never commissioned another batch. At the time Flair beat me to it as I entertained ideas of taking over or licensing the design because I thought it an exceptional plane but that wasn't to be. I still think it an exceptional plane

I totally understand your learning frustration - when I was learning I got 2 flights buddied ona Sunday morning because I was working and eventually decided to go to Paul Heckles - had 2 days there and was successfully taking off, flying round an landing (1 good in 3) and made a massive difference. If you've emailed Paul Heckles try phoning that's how I last got held of him. Good luck Peter

Brilliant Robin, There you go Bas and a reasonable price too - go for the kit! If you don't do let me know our club might want one as another trainer! Peter

Hi Bas, I'm sure you'll really enjoy learning on it. However, once you are flying solo you might want to up throws a little by moving the servo connecting rods to the middle of the control surface horn which will give you much more travel on the control surfaces. The best exponent I have ever seen of flying a Kite in an amazing but safe fashion is Paul Heckles at his school outside Swindon just off the M4. He has 6 or 7 of the Kites as trainers. Once flying if the pandemic rule allow its great to have a day there - maybe with a friend - you'll learn a lot and get a great amount of 'stick' time. http://www.paulhecklesrc.co.uk/en/top/home/ He also flies the Weston Obsession for advanced aerobatics which is a lovely machine to fly too. Will keep my eyes open Enjoy your flying Peter

There still maybe a kit available somewhere online - it isn't an ARTF only as a kit which takes about 40hrs to build (the way I do it). I found the kit to convert to electric this way. If you get chance to get one - do you wont regret it.

PS I altered the build to allow for a collapsible undercarriage - supported by rubber bands on posts just like the wings. They have saved my models a number of times in long grass and I heartily recommend the mod.

Hi Basil and Paul, I have built Mk3 and Mk4 versions of the kite from the ATS and Flair kits. They are great models although I fly Mk4 on an OS 56 (started with an OS 46) and the Mk3 I electrified. I have posted some photos of the conversion in the gallery. The plans I have were provided in the original kit but are not scale plans merely to support build instructions. I do have a copy of the build instructions. If of any interest and you would like to message me I'll photo both and put into pdf's for you - no charge. I would love to get hold of the scale building plans but have never seen any. I don't know what Flair's position would be on supplying a copy but suspect that the detail is somewhere in China!! I hope this helps Peter

I still have the plans to support building instructions for the Kite if you still need them. I learnt with ATS on a Kite (using glo fuel), still keep it as my go to plane when I've not flown for a while and developed an electric version based on a MK3 kit.