Originally Posted by tlr-boise

If you want, PM me your address and I'll mail you a couple inches of this tube. I'm not using it. You'll only use less than half an inch (1 CM or so?) for the nosewheel.

thanks PM sent

CB

Originally Posted by Harrow

Ozi, I should add that it is designed to be a trainer. While it is a very capable plane, depending on your level of experience you may eventually grow a little tired of its tame characteristics. Having said that, I know guys that fly theirs every week and love it. If you like easy relaxed flying, I would still recommend it, but if you are a "gung-ho, go-for-it" kind of pilot, then maybe one of the warbirds, such as a PZ Corsair or Mustang would suit you better?

I'd also suggest you try and build a profile 6mm depron F-22 or MIG-29. Easy and cheap to build, and an absolute blast to fly.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=757214

I am starting to appreciate the more relaxing models I have in my hangar. Some mornings we just park our bums in our seats under our makeshift shade sail and just cruise around with our Pico Moths and converted Multiplex foxes. Sometimes I am not in the mood to fly the EDF stuff. Can be very nerve wracking. I was looking at the Hobbyking Easystar copy but I hate the sound they make with the little props they run. I will eventually settle for something like the Apprentice. Thanks for the info.

Ozzi,

If you've read this thread and also the Apprentice thread over on the Beginner's forum, you'll know that this bird might be exactly what you're looking for. Fun, fast, but relaxing too. Can land it hot or float in. Needs the big wheels on grass. The stock motor is powerful enough, but fragile, and once you've ditched that and upgraded to a Hyperion, E-flite Power 15, or some other dependable motor, and bigger batteries, APC props, this plane flies fast enough, does most aerobatics, and covers a lot of ground quickly. That's why Horizon does not call it a Parkflyer. Also, it's big and looks great against a darkening sky. I fly for 20 min with the Thunder Power 4350 mAh batteries (heavier than stock batteries, but no problem), using 80% of the battery, and it's very enjoyable.

After crashing a 2nd hand easy-star I bought as a first plane, I thought I better learn how to land...
I contemplated a Multiplex Mentor, but then decided a nose wheel is better for the windy fields around here, so I bought an ARF version, whithout the remote, receiver and battery, which I already had.
Here are some photoes of my take-off/landing lessons, it's the second time I ever flown it:





and there's also a short video (in hebrew, sorry). I put two small camcorders - one on the plane and one glued to my sunglasses so I can record my POV with both hands free (the date is screwd up, dont mind it):

E-Flite Apprentice אימוני המראה ונחיתה בגעש (2 min 49 sec)

These come to show that this is a great trainer! I only had simulator practice and one short test on the evening before, and the wind was quite strong.

Next thing is mounting a serious HD camcorder on it and chasing some scales, or a group of birds...

Great video shaprap, good job on the mix of hatcam and inflight video!

Originally Posted by shaprap

After crashing a 2nd hand easy-star I bought as a first plane, I thought I better learn how to land...
I contemplated a Multiplex Mentor, but then decided a nose wheel is better for the windy fields around here, so I bought an ARF version, whithout the remote, receiver and battery, which I already had.
Here are some photoes of my take-off/landing lessons, it's the second time I ever flown it:





and there's also a short video (in hebrew, sorry). I put two small camcorders - one on the plane and one glued to my sunglasses so I can record my POV with both hands free (the date is screwd up, dont mind it):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y07w67IBbgk

These come to show that this is a great trainer! I only had simulator practice and one short test on the evening before, and the wind was quite strong.

Next thing is mounting a serious HD camcorder on it and chasing some scales, or a group of birds...

That video looked really sharp to me.. What camera did you use?

Originally Posted by rcflyer112

That video looked really sharp to me.. What camera did you use?

The original quality is better, it got compressed twice - once by the cheap editing software and one by youtube.
The camera is the car remote spy camera from e-bay like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT
It's similar to the "gum" spy camera, only this one is attached horizontally and the "gum" is vertical.

You can see it taped to my sunglasses in the beginning of the video.

Originally Posted by shaprap

The original quality is better, it got compressed twice - once by the cheap editing software and one by youtube.
The camera is the car remote spy camera from e-bay like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT
It's similar to the "gum" spy camera, only this one is attached horizontally and the "gum" is vertical.

You can see it taped to my sunglasses in the beginning of the video.

Thanks ShapRap..

I found a couple that claim to be HD.. I'm going to give them a shot and post back a video of the results..

Here is a link to one of the two I purchased.. Looked promising..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...d=573162869016

I also had a question regarding the two red washers that I assume are used for offset spacers on the motor mount. If you were sitting in the plane and looking forward toward the motor should these spacers be on the right side or left side of the motor?
Also when you check the center of gravity are you holding on to the wing tips at the specified distance back from the leading edge or is there a better way to do it?
Thanks

I noticed the black on your wing tips. Is this some kind of protective tape or are the newer Apprentices coming with that?

I put the red washers on all four motor mount screws. Between the motor mount and the firewall, and between the screw head and the motor mount. Eight total. My theory is it works, but who knows. My plane flies ok.

CoG: Page 28 of the manual.

Originally Posted by crobar

I also had a question regarding the two red washers that I assume are used for offset spacers on the motor mount. If you were sitting in the plane and looking forward toward the motor should these spacers be on the right side or left side of the motor?
Also when you check the center of gravity are you holding on to the wing tips at the specified distance back from the leading edge or is there a better way to do it?
Thanks

If you look from the tail to the front - the motor should be pointing slightly down and to the right (because the large propeller is pushing the plane up and left). The down angle is already there by the shape of the firewall, and you can put the washers in the two left scerws to get the motor to piont right.

Originally Posted by crobar

I noticed the black on your wing tips. Is this some kind of protective tape or are the newer Apprentices coming with that?

It's a simple balck duct tape to save the wingtips from ground scratching landings. My previous plane was 80% duct tape and Epoxy...

Originally Posted by crobar

I also had a question regarding the two red washers that I assume are used for offset spacers on the motor mount. If you were sitting in the plane and looking forward toward the motor should these spacers be on the right side or left side of the motor?
Also when you check the center of gravity are you holding on to the wing tips at the specified distance back from the leading edge or is there a better way to do it?
Thanks

I have heard different reports when it comes to the number and location of the red washers. After I had a bad crash last year I forgot how many and where the washers were so I just put one at each location and it was fine. About the CoG, it's 3 1/4" aft of the LE 2" out from the fuselage.

I had to laugh regarding the duct tape & epoxy. It's amazing how duct tape can solve or prevent so many problems. Kind of like WD-40. Thanks for a great explanation of the direction of the motor torque and where the red washers go. Normally I will take a few notes when I take things apart but I thought the red washers would be a snap to remember. Regarding the center of gravity, I read the instructions in the manual but couldn't visualize how to actually do it. If the distance from the leading edge is extended out to the wing tips then it would be easy to hold it up with the index fingers. If it is to be done near the fuselage then I suppose the thumbs would be the choice. Anyway I will be on this task tomorrow and hope for good weather on Monday morning for an exciting attempt at flying. This is a helpful and friendly forum. Thanks