Test Flying For Fun - Rc Aircraft And Helicopters

By Author: Rod Shoveller
Total Articles: 1
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Contrary to popular belief, people who work in model shops don't spend all day every day playing with their own models!!! However, on Friday afternoon Dale and myself decided we were going flying. We closed the shop dead on 6 o'clock (usually we don't leave till gone 7). We were cashed up, loaded up and off to our own secret flying site in Kent by 6.30. We arrived at the flying field around 6.45, all models still intact after a mad dash along the A2 and some rather bendy country lanes. First out of the cars were a pair of Weston Cougars, one of my favourite planks (sorry for the term plank but I class myself as a heli flyer). Once started and both airborne there was a really noticeable difference in performance between the two. Dale's is fitted with a OS46LA, whilst mine has a West Eurotech 36 fitted. We both decided to go for height, (when I say height I mean the clouds were getting in the way) Dale's climb rate was respectable but mine climbed like a homesick angel. After a few attempts at getting it to flatspin & some low inverted circuits I was out of fuel, so was forced to land and get the next model out. The next ...
... candidate was a Century Predator Gasser which has had one previous flight. The beauty of petrol powered models is that they are cheap to run & there is no starting equipment required. The previous flight was used to set the model and engine up correctly. After a few tweaks to the engine I was happy with the way she was running I thought we would do a few gentle circuits with a couple of stall turns thrown in for good measure. I must say this is probably the most stable model in the hover I have ever flown. I landed, then passed the controls to Dale for a quick play. He also loved how stably it flew. The amount of fun you can have with an electric Zagi is amazing. This model is so much fun and so unbreakable, I found myself doing the silliest of things with it. Like skimming across the strip with the prop clipping the grass on its way through, stalling it from up high and seeing who could get the highest bounce when it hit the deck! Who cares, the chances of breaking it are near nil. That's how is continued for the rest of the evening.... until we remembered that to fly in the dark - which i used to do on a regular basis - you need 'glow sticks'. So, back to the shop to unload all the models - we both commented on what a great evening's flying it was, probably one of the best this year - we are not trying to tempt fate or anything, but are now charging everything in sight ready for another evening of fun. One of the best things you can invest in is a fast charger - perfect for those last minute decisions to go flying, we have all put a lot of miles on my poor old ripmax fast charger. Rod About The Author
Rod Shoveller is a serious radio controlled models addict. He refers to himself as a heli flyer, though he has experience across a wide range of types of RC models. Not only does he fly, drive and steer them, he also builds and repairs them. He can be found at www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk or at the Elite Model Shop in Canterbury, Kent, UK.