Wingo

[bkazez]

I am just starting out with radio-control airplanes and Wingo sounds perfect for me. All the reviews I've read of it are positive. Can someone tell me about the other side of the story (failures, parts breaking, etc.)?

Also, the bundle deal (everything you need with it) from Hobby Lobby is very expensive. For half the price, I could get the Super Aviator from Draganfly, (http://www.rctoys.com/superaviator.php )which flies 4 times faster, looks like a real plane, and includes everything in the same package.

What do you think?

Ben

[Wings]

The Wingo is an excellent first trainer, and well worth having. I personally learned on a Soarstar. I won't go into much detail about the mods and such, as the complete reports are readily available with a simple search for "Wingo" or "Soarstar" on this and E-Zone's forums.

I recently posted a very detailed report of my tips and mods for the Soarstar, and most could be applied to the Wingo as well. Unfortunately, I forgot which forum I posted that on. Search for user "Wings" and see what comes up. :)

As for Wingo-specific mods, I recommend using real hinges instead of the foam tape on the tail surfaces (someone recommended Klett nylon hinges size 7/16" x 1/2" to me). Adding the gearbox unit to the motor is a major help too, although not required to fly (it will improve flight times and thrust power at a slight penalty to top-end speed). I think the included charger is a peak-detecting type (not certain of that), which is good. If it's one of those timer-based ones like the Soarstar comes with, replace it immediately with a good charger (yet another topic to search!).

The HL complete package is around $250, right? That's a pretty darn good deal for what's in it. The included JR 4-ch. radio is a good one for a beginner (trust me when I say you'll want something better once your flying skills get more advanced). I went a "higher" route (Soarstar, Hitec Flash 5X-G radio, AstroFlight 110D charger, misc. stuff) and dropped about $600 on my stuff. At least most of that is "one time" stuff that won't need replacing for a looooong time.

As for the Draganfly Super Aviator, here's my reactive comments from reading the website ad (note: no personal experience with this model):

> How fast does it fly? About 40 to 50 miles per hour.

If that's true, I don't know how they can call it a beginner's plane! I estimate the Soarstar to cruise at ~20MPH and top end around ~30MPH, which is a handful for a first-timer. I know beginners who get a "rush" from the 10MPH Tiger Moth! So, 50MPH just means you're more likely to obliterate it, and do so just that much faster.

> We recommend a minimum size of two football fields.

Yeah, to keep it in the air... Find something bigger if you can, regardless of what you fly. Trainers like going straight, and they don't like constantly going around in circles all the time. A good trainer can fly itself (as if you are only directing a free flight plane around the sky). At 50MPH, you'll be on the sticks quite a bit more than a beginner should have to be. Not to say you can't do it, but why make flying so difficult so soon?

> What if I crash...? [We got parts!]

Best sales pitch I've seen this weekend. The ol' "crash + cash = another chance to crash" line. :rolleyes:

> ...It can complete loops and barrel rolls.

So can the Wingo and Soarstar. Good first tricks to learn, but you're better off learning them on the other two. The polyhedral wing of the Soarstar has bailed me out of trouble many times where I'm not so sure the traditional dihedral wing, like the SA has, would or could.

I'm sorry if all this sounds like I'm totally anti-Super Aviator. I'm pretty sure Draganfly has a decent reputation in the hobby, but this plane looks way too much like another Megatech "cessna style" disaster. Perhaps it's the plastic-looking body of the same shape, the "around $200" price tag, and the 7-cell battery pack (suspiciously weak for the kind of motor this plane looks like it should need) that remind me of the horror stories of modelers who got burned by lousy Megatech products. And while the very short video looks promising (and much slower than 50MPH flying speed, I noticed), I'm of the opinion that there are better ways to start out.

Bottom line is that it's your time and money. But since you asked what I think... for $75 difference, I'd be inclined to go with the proven path and give myself the added confidence of knowing I have a chance at success (and plenty of advice available if I fail initially).

I wish you the best whatever you do!

Wings

[bkazez]

Thank you so much for your informative reply!!

I guess the Super Aviator is a real bad deal. I think I should probably choose among Wingo, Soarstar, and Tigermoth (have read reviews of it at E-zone and at modelairplanenews.com). The other planes out there in this sort of category just aren't as realistic. (For instance, it would be no fun for me to fly a plane that only has rudder and throttle control--not at all like the real planes I've flown!)

I probably won't be expanding soon, so I'm not too worried about the radio equipment. This is why I liked Wingo in particular--it's a beginner plane, but can do some advanced things too.

Someone said on the Foamies forum that Tigermoth is much more durable than Wingo. I thought Wingo's foam construction and pusher-prop design would make it much more durable than anything else. Not true?

Thanks very much for your advice!

Ben

[Mr.RC-CAM]

I went through your decision making process a few weeks ago. It was down to a Wingo, Soarstar, or Poppy. They are all nearly alike.

I decided on the Soarstar. It comes with gearbox, 8-cell battery pack, the hinges are decent, parts fit great, and so on. The provided battery charger is a bit on the low-tech side, so it is the only thing that would need upgrading if you stick with the e-flight hobby.

I installed Htitec HS-81 servos in it and used my JR600 Rx (removed the case). Assembly goes quickly. You need foam safe CA (special stuff) and some 15 minute epoxy. I did my own "upgrade" magic during assembly, but a stock model should be good to go too.

I am so happy with this model. It is very stable (nearly flies itself), does loops, and is an overall joy to fly. I get 10 minutes on the stock 600mAH pack and 15 minutes on a 1100mAH NiMH 8-cell (but with a little less zip).

They are all good models, but the gearbox drive on the Soarstar makes it a best buy in my opinion.

[Iglooman]

:)

What can I say, I have one. Two flights, and it flew quite nicely, despite my having the CG a bit too far forward. I was running stock configuration - direct drive, except I got the 8 cell 1100 mah Nicad pack (supposed to be lighter than the NiMH) but even if it isn't, it'll give more power... (Give Tim Allen Grunt)

What can i say? No real flight experience, just a little time on FMS (free flight sim). First flight was almost professional... :) At least to me. Trimmed out good and quickly. Hobby Lobby's accessory pack had all I needed (except sand paper). It did almost fly itself, as advertised. Advertised flight speed is about 15 MPH I think. As a learner, it is quite fast enough. Gives some reaction time, and some time to react to a wrong reaction (good to have until you have mastered the backwards feel of a model coming at you).

I picked the Wingo for it's float ability, since I want to fly off our lake. It also has the ability to do some neat stuff, and carry a payload, like a camera.

So why so much past tense? Third flight I fried the ESC. Don't know whether it was a battery problem (don't leave your battery plugged into the plane for 3 days - it will drain even with the switch off)... Or the slight crash I had at the end of the not-so-perfect crash on the second flight... DO NOT have a paranoid mother in your audience until you have some stick time under your belt! :D Anyway, sent the battery and ESC back to HL and they have sent a replacement. Their turnaround time and customer service was excellent! Once it arrives I will attempt this water float flying thing...

Needless to say, the crash did break the fuselage at the tail boom, but 5 minutes later the epoxy was hardening on the wound and 15 minutes later it was as good as new! This was after a direct frontal assault on a cement patio stone nose first... That included front bra saved me alot of glueing on the front styrofoam.... Use it! Any crash that you walk away from in 10 minutes is a good one I think... And yes, that pusher prop system really helps... If you get the Moth, you may want to make the slip off prop mod, or have some spares on hand.

I will soon be getting a Tiger Moth as a trainer for my wife - slower and a good performer apparently, but I think the Wingo will handle a lot more. It is faster and can handle more wind, especially with the gear drive. If can also handle more weight, so you can get a lighting system on it and fly at night. Check out the 'Lights for night flying' post in the Parkflyer section. Should be close to the top...

Every plane has strengths and weaknesses, but the Wingo seems to have proven itself as a good trainer. Just get that Center of Gravity right! It has frustrated many first-timers.

BTW, I was getting about 10 minutes of flight with the 1100 8 cell Nicad. Should be more once I get the gear drive installed. Anyway, in case you haven't noticed, despite my recent ESC problem, I love my Wingo! Aluminum tail boom is nice too.

If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to share what I know, but they are a lot of posts dedicated to the Wingo, "I love my Wingo" in the Electrics section comes to mind...

I started with a few changes to the HL Wingo setup - Flash 5X-G, Supernova charger (I know the Jeti is a peak charger, but i don't know if it will handle NiMH), and I got the 1100 mah Nicad pack, floats, and gear drive.

Mike.