Jonathan M Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 So I've just been sold an un-built Great Planes Aristar Elite ARTF by a club-member who doesn't want to continue with power flying - and wondering if anyone has experience of this model? Its a 6.5lb 62" span jobbie with a loading of 22oz/sqft, a semi-symmetrical high-wing with a bit of dihedral, and a tricycle UC. The bundle included six S3004 servos (its got flaps as well) and both a Quantum II 40 motor, ESC and 3350 4s LiPos, and an OS max 46 FX (mentioned in another thread), so a choice of how to power it. see here I bought it because I'm now training a newbie to the club who's learning quite fast but who isn't really learning 'properly' as his 48" span 2200mAh foamie trainer is really too small and light for most conditions at the patch. He'll either buy it off me at cost, or I'll keep it as an unofficial club trainer - in which case I'll need a cheap Taranis to buddy-box to mine. Any views on what it'd be like (compared to say the Irving Trainer or Boomerang) and any prejudices on what kind of model (cheap light foam or heavier and bigger - easier to see at a distance - balsa) is best for folks to train on!? Jon Edited By Jonathan M on 17/06/2019 12:48:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Not familiar with that specific model, but it's one of a class of semi symmetric wing jobbies, often used by flight schools to train with a buddy box. They are a bit too unstable for training without a buddy box, but via the buddy box offer more training scope because they are more agile. The flight schools would not use them if they thought a Boomerang would do. Nice size trainer and weight for a trainer if the trainee wants to fly stuff with this weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Very Boomerang like in the air Jonathan, and with the same slow fly ability But No glue, bolts together, so modify the U/C, as that just clips on, and can just clips off! I fitted saddles to cure this and timber beams inside to take the screws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan M Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 Thx guys, useful to have those characteristics confirmed. Don - I suppose the debate was had (and won/lost?) long ago about folks buying a cheap light foam model to learn on, or going old-school with a heavier balsa model, plus buddy-box. I can only speak from personal experience, but I REALLY wish I'd been advised to buy a Boomerang or similar to learn with, as since getting into heavier models (Acrowot IC, Wot4 EP) I've had to unlearn a lot of poor flying habits! Our club isn't well set up with available instructors (which is why I've landed the job training the odd newbie), nor does it have any dedicated club trainers, hence why I've bought this model, which I'd only use with a second personal TX on a buddy-lead. The trainee(s) can still have their foam model to practice on alone once they're at a certain level (as long as another member with an A Cert is available to stand by them), but it would save a lot of initial frustration and time-wasting with models which aren't set up properly, or when its too windy for a lightweight - like this summer! Denis - I spotted that clip-apart hazard and was going to do a similar mod, with captive-nuts in a robust bearer and nylon-bolts for safety in a rough landing. The alternative is to mount the main UC forward and fit a tail-wheel instead..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Captive nuts, great idea, with nylon bolts Saddles do break too, with hard arrivals For a tail dragger to rotate at takeoff, you need at least the arc of the tyre edge at the wing leading edge Looking down, plan view, at the wing, it is nice just to see some part of the tyre As you said about the Boomerang, these models have more " authority " in the air than you usual foamie Realistically, you know, you can almost stop and change your mind, flying a small foamie But more substantial trainers need to be flown to move along smoothly, and leave less to re-learn, when you buy a 10kg warbird. Edited By Denis Watkins on 17/06/2019 18:12:10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 As you say, it's a good size if there is someone there to prevent sudden, expensive arrivals. Horses for courses. I have a hard time with 500 gram things. They just seem to stop in the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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