dahld
Jan 14, 2007, 08:49 PM
Back on Dec 12th, I started a thread about the differences between getting a Supra ready to fly vs. other common molded euro planes (like the Perfect as an example). The Supra costs $400 less than a Perfect, but it's more work to get ready for flight.
Anyway, the subject of that thread is finished, and I flew it yesterday. The result: pretty nice flyin' airplane. Let me explain.
I've always been leary of those guys that get one (or more) new planes every year, and each new plane is described as "way better" than the last one. Kind of makes me wonder if aero design and construction techniques are really getting that much better that quickly, or if the guys doing all the buying are paying a lot each time for just a "little bit better".
My first flying impression of the Supra comes by way of comparison to one of the hot new planes from around 2001 (the Erasure Extreme), which I've been flying for the past three years. So, I'm was comparing two F3J airplanes separated by about 5 years of progress in aero design and construction.
The Extreme is a nice flying sailplane, was my first "molded" model, and has served me well. But I'm happy say the Supra is way better than the Extreme (did I just say "way better"). Keep in mind we're talking about the same pilot (me). One of the world class pilots I'm sure could fly circles around me with my Extreme, while I was flying a Supra. Apples to apples.
What's the Supra better at than the Extreme? Well, ....everything, so far as I've been able to test it during a full day of flying. I've only flown it using the 2.5 degree joiners, so I've still much to learn, and I'm still playing with the CG to get it "just right" for my flying style. But man, what a sweet flyin' machine. Worth the work? You bet!
Two of my flying buddies just got their Perfects last week. We'll have fun arguing over the next year about which design flys better. One those two guys placed second at Visalia last october, so I know who's Perfect will be winning more club contests than my Supra :) .
Anyway, the subject of that thread is finished, and I flew it yesterday. The result: pretty nice flyin' airplane. Let me explain.
I've always been leary of those guys that get one (or more) new planes every year, and each new plane is described as "way better" than the last one. Kind of makes me wonder if aero design and construction techniques are really getting that much better that quickly, or if the guys doing all the buying are paying a lot each time for just a "little bit better".
My first flying impression of the Supra comes by way of comparison to one of the hot new planes from around 2001 (the Erasure Extreme), which I've been flying for the past three years. So, I'm was comparing two F3J airplanes separated by about 5 years of progress in aero design and construction.
The Extreme is a nice flying sailplane, was my first "molded" model, and has served me well. But I'm happy say the Supra is way better than the Extreme (did I just say "way better"). Keep in mind we're talking about the same pilot (me). One of the world class pilots I'm sure could fly circles around me with my Extreme, while I was flying a Supra. Apples to apples.
What's the Supra better at than the Extreme? Well, ....everything, so far as I've been able to test it during a full day of flying. I've only flown it using the 2.5 degree joiners, so I've still much to learn, and I'm still playing with the CG to get it "just right" for my flying style. But man, what a sweet flyin' machine. Worth the work? You bet!
Two of my flying buddies just got their Perfects last week. We'll have fun arguing over the next year about which design flys better. One those two guys placed second at Visalia last october, so I know who's Perfect will be winning more club contests than my Supra :) .