aeajr
08-18-2005, 10:20 AM
Friends,
I want to make you aware of two planes which I can highly recommend in kit form and in ARF form, but must suggest you avoid in RTF form unless you are going to make changes. As sold these packages have issues, in my opinion, especially as they will typically be purchased by new glider pilots. I have seen and flown both in stock form and can not recommend the RTF set-ups as currently sold. :confused:
The Great Planes Spectra Select and the Hanger 9 e-Aspire are of a similar class. These are two meter built up e-gliders that are based on proven sailplanes, the Spirit and the Aspire respectively. Properly configured they fly very well and can deliver a great thermal soaring experience. However both manufacturers have recently cut some corners in the RTF packages that cause concern. :(
The issues are power and the choice of electronics.
POWER PROBLEM
Both planes come with direct drive speed 550-600 class motors and folding prop. I think they are both 8X4 props and recommend 7 cell sub C packs for power. On this combo the planes can be flown up to soaring height but the climb is a weak 10-20 degree climb in calmer air and almost unmanageable in wind or gusty air. You can get it there but it is work. Not a good experience for a new pilot.
Low cost solution:
Add a 2.5 to 3.1 gear box to the stock motor and a 11X 7 or 11X 8 folding prop. On the stock 7 cells the climb will be in the 30 degree neighborhood and will be much stronger with good climb in moderate winds. This is no hotliner, but it will take it up to height much better and much faster and you will likely get an extra climb in the bargain. Go to 8 cells and the climb can actually feel pretty strong. :)
Cost?
About 15-$20 for the gearbox and about $15-$20 for new blades for the folding prop. You may need to remount the motor to accommodate the gearbox and you will have to reverse the wires to change the rotation of the motor. There are more expensive gearboxes that will fit better and don't require reversing the motor. Or you can buy a packaged motor/gearbox that is all set to go.
I have given you the low cost solutions. If you are building the ARF or kit, these are easy additions that will make your new e-glider fly much better for a modest additional investment.
Here are examples:
http://www.electrifly.com/motors/speed600.html
Geared systems - tower
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=600gd&FVPROFIL=++
As a higher cost, higher performance alternative, you can go to a brushless motor/gearbox combo. Here is one example that looks like a good choice on 8-10 cells or 3 cell lithium that can handle 35 amps. On this set-up these planes should have strong, 45 degree or better climb angles and probably an extra climb or two.
MJ20152 MPJet AC 26/45-20 D Brushless Motor with 2.8:1 Gearbox ..... $ 68.90
An 11X8 prop should do fine with this combo.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless_mpjet.htm
Advance PLUS 30 Amp Brushless Controller $ 90.00
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jetiblue.htm
ELECTRONICS PROBLEM :mad:
E-Aspire
The e-Aspire comes with a folding prop, but the ESC that is packed with the plane does not have the required brake in order to fold the prop. In my opinion, this is a stupid packaging mistake on the part of the manufacturer. For the cost of $4-8 retail, they could have a speed control with a brake and the prop would fold as designed. This is like getting a radio in your car, but no antenna.
Replace the stock ESC with one of these, or similar and you should be OK. About $35
Here are some ideas:
Great Planes ElectriFly C-35 Mini
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKBF5&P=ML
30-Amp Mini ESC w/Brake
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLA106
Spectra Select
Great Planes used to package this plane with a Hitec/Hobbico AM radio system with excellent range that worked well. They went to a Hitec FM system, which is fine, but they put in a different brand ESC/Receiver that has a range of under 1000 feet. For a 2 meter sailplane, that could be dangerous, in my opinion. It is very easy to get a 2 meter sailplane well over 1000 feet away from you. For a new flyer who knows little about such things this could lead to a flyaway of a 3 pound plane that is now an accident waiting to happen.
Remember I am not talking 1000 in height, but distance from the radio. Heck our flying field is 800'X1600', so the rated range of this receiver won't even allow me to safely fly it to the end of the field.
I would consider 3000 feet/1KM as a minimum range receiver for a 2M sailplane. My RTF Spirit Select was flown to spec height and distance many times on the AM 3000 foot range radio set-up included in that package. The current Spectra package is not right, and not safe for the plane, in my opinion.
Solution:
Replace the receiver with one with more appropriate range. Here are two examples that will work with that radio.
Hitec HFS-04MG - 4 channels and 1 mile range - About $42 with crystal
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_hfs-04mg_fm_rx.html
Hitec Micro 555 - 5 channel with 1 mile+ range - about $62 with crystal
http://www.servocity.com/html/5-ch_555_fm_rx.html
I am not sure if the ESC/Receiver combo will allow you to deactivate the receiver part of the package and still use the ESC. If you replace the receiver you may have to replace the ESC as well. Read the instructions carefully! The ESC recommended for the e-Aspire above should work here too.
Summary
As kits or ARFs, these planes can be good choices and very satisfying to fly. But the RTF packages require too much modification, in my opinion, to be recommended for new flyers and an experienced modeler would be better off with the kit or ARF.
Most of the RTF planes I have tried have worked pretty well and some have been great. In this case, they cut too many corners.
Clear Skies and Safe Flying!
I want to make you aware of two planes which I can highly recommend in kit form and in ARF form, but must suggest you avoid in RTF form unless you are going to make changes. As sold these packages have issues, in my opinion, especially as they will typically be purchased by new glider pilots. I have seen and flown both in stock form and can not recommend the RTF set-ups as currently sold. :confused:
The Great Planes Spectra Select and the Hanger 9 e-Aspire are of a similar class. These are two meter built up e-gliders that are based on proven sailplanes, the Spirit and the Aspire respectively. Properly configured they fly very well and can deliver a great thermal soaring experience. However both manufacturers have recently cut some corners in the RTF packages that cause concern. :(
The issues are power and the choice of electronics.
POWER PROBLEM
Both planes come with direct drive speed 550-600 class motors and folding prop. I think they are both 8X4 props and recommend 7 cell sub C packs for power. On this combo the planes can be flown up to soaring height but the climb is a weak 10-20 degree climb in calmer air and almost unmanageable in wind or gusty air. You can get it there but it is work. Not a good experience for a new pilot.
Low cost solution:
Add a 2.5 to 3.1 gear box to the stock motor and a 11X 7 or 11X 8 folding prop. On the stock 7 cells the climb will be in the 30 degree neighborhood and will be much stronger with good climb in moderate winds. This is no hotliner, but it will take it up to height much better and much faster and you will likely get an extra climb in the bargain. Go to 8 cells and the climb can actually feel pretty strong. :)
Cost?
About 15-$20 for the gearbox and about $15-$20 for new blades for the folding prop. You may need to remount the motor to accommodate the gearbox and you will have to reverse the wires to change the rotation of the motor. There are more expensive gearboxes that will fit better and don't require reversing the motor. Or you can buy a packaged motor/gearbox that is all set to go.
I have given you the low cost solutions. If you are building the ARF or kit, these are easy additions that will make your new e-glider fly much better for a modest additional investment.
Here are examples:
http://www.electrifly.com/motors/speed600.html
Geared systems - tower
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=600gd&FVPROFIL=++
As a higher cost, higher performance alternative, you can go to a brushless motor/gearbox combo. Here is one example that looks like a good choice on 8-10 cells or 3 cell lithium that can handle 35 amps. On this set-up these planes should have strong, 45 degree or better climb angles and probably an extra climb or two.
MJ20152 MPJet AC 26/45-20 D Brushless Motor with 2.8:1 Gearbox ..... $ 68.90
An 11X8 prop should do fine with this combo.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless_mpjet.htm
Advance PLUS 30 Amp Brushless Controller $ 90.00
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jetiblue.htm
ELECTRONICS PROBLEM :mad:
E-Aspire
The e-Aspire comes with a folding prop, but the ESC that is packed with the plane does not have the required brake in order to fold the prop. In my opinion, this is a stupid packaging mistake on the part of the manufacturer. For the cost of $4-8 retail, they could have a speed control with a brake and the prop would fold as designed. This is like getting a radio in your car, but no antenna.
Replace the stock ESC with one of these, or similar and you should be OK. About $35
Here are some ideas:
Great Planes ElectriFly C-35 Mini
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKBF5&P=ML
30-Amp Mini ESC w/Brake
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLA106
Spectra Select
Great Planes used to package this plane with a Hitec/Hobbico AM radio system with excellent range that worked well. They went to a Hitec FM system, which is fine, but they put in a different brand ESC/Receiver that has a range of under 1000 feet. For a 2 meter sailplane, that could be dangerous, in my opinion. It is very easy to get a 2 meter sailplane well over 1000 feet away from you. For a new flyer who knows little about such things this could lead to a flyaway of a 3 pound plane that is now an accident waiting to happen.
Remember I am not talking 1000 in height, but distance from the radio. Heck our flying field is 800'X1600', so the rated range of this receiver won't even allow me to safely fly it to the end of the field.
I would consider 3000 feet/1KM as a minimum range receiver for a 2M sailplane. My RTF Spirit Select was flown to spec height and distance many times on the AM 3000 foot range radio set-up included in that package. The current Spectra package is not right, and not safe for the plane, in my opinion.
Solution:
Replace the receiver with one with more appropriate range. Here are two examples that will work with that radio.
Hitec HFS-04MG - 4 channels and 1 mile range - About $42 with crystal
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_hfs-04mg_fm_rx.html
Hitec Micro 555 - 5 channel with 1 mile+ range - about $62 with crystal
http://www.servocity.com/html/5-ch_555_fm_rx.html
I am not sure if the ESC/Receiver combo will allow you to deactivate the receiver part of the package and still use the ESC. If you replace the receiver you may have to replace the ESC as well. Read the instructions carefully! The ESC recommended for the e-Aspire above should work here too.
Summary
As kits or ARFs, these planes can be good choices and very satisfying to fly. But the RTF packages require too much modification, in my opinion, to be recommended for new flyers and an experienced modeler would be better off with the kit or ARF.
Most of the RTF planes I have tried have worked pretty well and some have been great. In this case, they cut too many corners.
Clear Skies and Safe Flying!