Ok so i did decide to make the switch from my Hobbyzone Supercub to the VisionAire, big jump you may say but bearing in mind my Cub did have Ailerons and i could knife edge that thing like there was no tomorrow,
I was really wanting a 3D plane and this looked like a logical step for me, and i love it, perfect for me to expand my skills, this video is my first flight with the VisionAire and of any "Real" 3D Plane, (i have spent many an hour on Phoenix Flight Sim) landing was a little rough but i got a little distracted thinking why it hadnt lasted me my 5 minutes, next flight was much better, more videos to come,
I would say this plane is great to fly, set it to low rates and it is still responsive enough to be a great flyer, set it to high rates and she is even better, then comes the 3D mode, wow she likes to spin and bring her tail around quickly, love it,
You can even see an attempt at a pop top in the video, any other ideas for learning some basic 3D tricks, i tried a little Harrier and Hovering, inverted loops, etc but keen to learn more,
Very happy with the plane and yes it is a big step up from the Cub but i am glad i decided on this one, enjoy.

Parkzone Visionaire Maiden Flight (5 min 17 sec)

"Landing"? It got "elevatored" into the ground

Having said that, based on the video you're doing exceptionally well for someone who's just onto their second plane - a 3D one at that. The sim practice has clearly been useful.

If you're keen on 3D, try to think of it as a long-term gig. It's not easy, but that is part of what makes it worthwhile. Depending on how methodical and naturally talented they are, most people take hundreds of flights - even thousands - to get to the point where they can perform more complex 3D maneuvers with control and precision. The drop-out rate is high. 3D done well draws admiration, envy, and derision (can it get any better? ), but each such display by skilled pilots hides incredible amounts of dedication and untold mAh burned. Perhaps more common are those who dip their toes in a few times, even buy a 3D plane or three, and then go back to bank 'n' yank warbirds with their retracts and little plastic machine guns. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

So if you're aiming to be one of the stayers, a few words of advice:

- Park the Parkzone Visionaire. It's like 300 bucks plus, isn't it? Unless money truly doesn't matter, nothing that expensive can be viewed as a learning tool for 3D - a "basher" - and that's precisely what's required at this stage. If pushed the way it ought to be, the airframe has a ten or twenty flight life expectancy in the hands of a 3D novice. Expense is a massive demotivator for most.

- Instead, get yourself an EPP profile foamy. It doesn't really matter which one, as long as it's cheap and EPP. Hobbyking has a bunch of them (Piaget is a very good learner's plane, but a PITA to build), while the Crack Yak and the new Crack Laser are at the other end of the spectrum (they roll like drill bits, which is not what you want at first).

- Don't bother with expensive gear for the EPP basher. HXT900 on the ailerons and 2x HXT500 on the elevator/rudder is perfectly adequate. $6 receiver will suffice (OrangeRx or Lemon). Investing in precision high-speed digital servos is pointless for something that flies like a pool noodle reinforced with carbon spars, which is exactly what these planes are. Aim for $100 or less in the air, tops.

- Get some Uhu Por, Welder (from eBay or the States), or 3M Scotch 6225n. Those glues are practically indispensable, because they remain flexible and thus able to absorb impulse on "arrival", unlike CA which is brittle. If you keep practicing, as you should, your first EPP profile foamy will eventually carry its own (original) weight in repairs, and only the flexible foam glues can (mostly) withstand that kind of repeated abuse.

- Practice specific things for set amounts of time. The Harrier is the basis of just about every post-stall maneuver. Practice Harriers for two or three packs at a time, at least a couple of sessions per week, if possible. Fly Harriers straight, wide left circle, wide right circle...

- Have fun too. Spare a pack for general goofing around at the end of each session, but it won't teach as much as the set exercises.

- Don't bother with the "advanced" stuff right at the start. It'll just frustrate and possibly lead to more repairs.

- In a few months you'll have Harriers down pat in all orientations, normal and inverted, and then you can start with 4-point rolls - the basis of the rolling circle and many other 3D tricks.

- The single biggest difference between 3D and other types of flying is massive use of the rudder. 3D is all about the rudder. When a maneuver calls for rudder use, concentrate on that aspect. For example, Harriers are meant to be steered around with the rudder, while the ailerons do nothing but keep the wings level. The emphasis should be on the rudder steering, with ailerons taking a back seat.

- Don't abandon the sim. It's a great learning aid, at all levels.


I look forward to watching more of your videos as you progress down the 3D path

Hey H2SO4, thanks heaps for reply, and my god you are good, very informative, and yes i did elevator into the ground, lol, as i said not ready for it and should have been but we all learn from the mistakes, hasn't happened again now i bring it in around after 4-4:30 minutes, no risks...
I do plan on getting something a little smaller to get right into it when i get further along but this is it for a little while, just going to be really careful and as you said not try to much advanced stuff, i was a little eager in that film with trying a few things but hey, new toy, got to see what it can do,
I am trying a few things but as you said i really need to get into a routine of training, i really love it and trust me when i say i am staying here, totally addicted now and understand accidents happen, i mean i did snap the wing of my cub clean in half doing some footy post flying, (stupid wind at the wrong time, yes also over eager but the week before this i was doing loops around the crossbar)

Supercub Down (1 min 0 sec)

No more football posts for awhile if not ever... or with a smaller plane,
When i do actually try stuff like harriers or anything like that i try and do them up high to allow for mistakes, (was told by a mate to try to fly 2 or 3 mistakes high) the only things i will be doing low are take offs, landings, fly bys(buzzing mates) and maybe knife edge when i get used to the advanced controls of the plane, otherwise its all up high from here,
The reason i chose the Visionaire was for the fact its a 3D plane, i looked at a few others but thought this was best for me now, but as you said serious training requires a basher so that will be next, i never wanted to go the Warbirds, simply flying bank and yank as you put it not for me, i need more than that and love 3D flight, wanted to do it for years, and well also the VisionAire,
One day i may look at getting an EDF Jet, would love an F22 Raptor, but that is because i love those Jets, this is a long way away not going to jump into that in a hurry, i hear these are not so forgiving,
I am going to get another 2 or 3 batteries (if not more) to allow more flight time, currently have 2, when the second one is out i want to go up again, i love it,
The Sim is my friend, the stuff you can learn or try on it really does help, i dont think i would be where i am today without it,
As you said many hours practicing help and the good thing is i want to go up and fly, i get home and want to go straight away, if i could i would take it to work and fly during lunch, (can do this with a smaller bird - another positive) if i could it would be every afternoon but now with daylight savings gone i am limited to weekends or days i get home early,
I need to mow a landing strip in the field next to my house, its a good few acres but the grass is like 2 feet tall, be good with the small plane as landing in that kind of grass with a little plane wouldn't hurt it..
Anyways thanks again for all your words of advice, i have listened and will be taking it all on board,
Trust me more videos will be happening, and when i do get the basher you will see it too.
NSW? Sydney? where abouts? i am from the Central Coast

Great advise hso24. Even for me. I love 3d a and I'm not that good but doing aerobatics and mixting 3d is what I love to do

+1 H2SO4, still remember my first Depron 3D, comment was I could peel the depron off and fly the glue love the EPP's now.