Introduction

eli5539 · Oct 14, 2008, 11:59 AM

Nice write up

Bombay · Oct 14, 2008, 12:37 PM

Thanks for the review. It looks a little tail heavy. Do you think it would fly better with some weight on the nose?

donjiskra · Oct 14, 2008, 04:30 PM

I agree, it looks tail heavy.

pdiddyg40 · Oct 14, 2008, 07:27 PM

another agreement, tailheavy it is. its seems like almost all indoor fliers such as the Piloto, and Vapor, along with outher have that tail heavy look. is that because the with the nose up attitude it will fly slower? It bugs me to see that because it makes it look like the plane has barely enough power to stay up, and that it is struggeling to fly. Probably just a pet peeve. Great review though! and the price is right :]
-P.D.

Bob J · Oct 14, 2008, 07:40 PM

The Piloto can be transformed from a dog into a nice flyer with two slices of a sharp knife: amputate the bottom wing next to the fuselage.

pdiddyg40 · Oct 14, 2008, 07:44 PM

will that seriously help or are you kidding? haha im lost!
-P.D.

bobskinner · Oct 14, 2008, 07:54 PM

Thank you for the review.

I have a question, if I may. Forgive me if it was answered in the review and I missed it somehow.

Do you have proportional control over the rudder, or is if full left and right only?

For interest sake: The flying characteristics look almost identical to the Silverlit Palm-Z/Nano Hawk, but the Piloto does appear to be a tad faster. If it weighs 0.5 oz, that is more than twice the weight of the Palm-Z (~6g) and with only a quarter inch or so bigger wingspan that probably explains the extra speed.

From my understanding the plane needs to be tail heavy, as this helps achieve slower flight. It is the same with the Palm-Z, a power-off toss results in it flipping around like a piece of paper rather than gliding like a plane but they do fly nice and slow.

The 100ft range is definitely quite a bit better than the Palm-Z which only has about 15-20ft range.

I don't own one but then there is also the Avion that apparently has proportional rudder control and is easier to fly, but it also costs a whole lot more than either of these other 2 planes.

Again thanks for the review. There are a surprisingly large number of people interested in these micro RTF planes/toys it is good to see them also getting some review attention.

Bob

bobskinner · Oct 14, 2008, 07:56 PM

Pdiddy, I wouldn't be surprised if taking the bottom wing off helps. It helps a lot with the Aero Ace biplanes, but try it at own risk.

pdiddyg40 · Oct 14, 2008, 10:16 PM

haha. ok thanks. i just figured that if you took the bottom wing off a biplane that half the lift would be lost, and once you cut it off, there is no turning back. thanks for the info!
-P.D.

raythomas · Oct 14, 2008, 10:26 PM

Bob-
The rudder is pulse type, not proportional. Its centered by means of the silicone hinge material and then is either full right or full left when you move the stick. It seems to fly best when you just bump the stick instead of holding them full over. This can cause a nasty spiral into the ground.

Tail heavy? Yes slightly. Most of the indoor flyers seem to be this way. I believe this causes the plane to fly at a nose high attitude and slower than if the wings were level. This also causes the glide to be more close to the stall.

And yes, the range on this partiular model is excellent.

Glad you fellows are enjoying my review.
Thanks Ray

modfly · Oct 15, 2008, 12:12 AM

range and good radio operation is a major plus to me. Sounds like a cool plane..

junglegym · Oct 15, 2008, 01:29 AM

Silverlit X-twins are the same you need a bit of nose weight to get them flying right, i can't understand why they produce these models that are clearly aimed at beginners and kids , that puts them behind the 8 ball from the getgo with incorrect cg !!!!!???

X twins are great value and fly brilliantly once balanced.
Cutting the bottom wing off the X - TWIN bi- plane, not necessary,but does make it fly differently,so it may improve the Pilito as suggested ???
Try it, if you remove it carefully you can always glue it back ....

Propeller wash usually limits the pulse or bang actuator rudders so the higher the throttle setting the less rudder movement you'll get .

modfly · Oct 15, 2008, 01:39 AM

I would not remove the wing..If you don't like high alpha flight then adjust in down elevator.

Bob J · Oct 15, 2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdiddyg40

will that seriously help or are you kidding? haha im lost!
-P.D.

No kidding! Removing the bottom wing will result in the Piloto flying slightly faster, but it will actually *fly* and not mush around in a nose-high attitude. When the bottom wing is removed, there is no need to adjust the trim or change the location of the CG; just do it and you will find a so-so flyer transformed into a neat flying machine!

Regards,
Bob J.

Oct 15, 2008, 01:29 AM	#13
junglegym 3 Strykers,your out ! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PP, Lurking under the tree Melbourne Australia Posts: 865	Silverlit X-twins are the same you need a bit of nose weight to get them flying right, i can't understand why they produce these models that are clearly aimed at beginners and kids , that puts them behind the 8 ball from the getgo with incorrect cg !!!!!??? X twins are great value and fly brilliantly once balanced. Cutting the bottom wing off the X - TWIN bi- plane, not necessary,but does make it fly differently,so it may improve the Pilito as suggested ??? Try it, if you remove it carefully you can always glue it back .... Propeller wash usually limits the pulse or bang actuator rudders so the higher the throttle setting the less rudder movement you'll get . Last edited by junglegym; Oct 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM.

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Introduction

Kit Contents

Assembly

Wing

Tail

Fuselage and Radio

Charging

Flying

Basics

Taking Off and Landing

Is This For a Beginner?

Flight Video/Photo Gallery

Conclusion

Oct 14, 2008, 11:59 AM	#2
eli5539 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Western New york Posts: 455	Nice write up

Oct 14, 2008, 12:37 PM	#3
Bombay Slow Flyer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 1,570	Thanks for the review. It looks a little tail heavy. Do you think it would fly better with some weight on the nose?

Oct 14, 2008, 04:30 PM	#4
donjiskra WAA-08 Pilot Eventually Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Darien,IL,USA Posts: 1,317	I agree, it looks tail heavy.

Oct 14, 2008, 07:27 PM	#5
pdiddyg40 professional crasher Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 897	another agreement, tailheavy it is. its seems like almost all indoor fliers such as the Piloto, and Vapor, along with outher have that tail heavy look. is that because the with the nose up attitude it will fly slower? It bugs me to see that because it makes it look like the plane has barely enough power to stay up, and that it is struggeling to fly. Probably just a pet peeve. Great review though! and the price is right :] -P.D.

Oct 14, 2008, 07:40 PM	#6
Bob J Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fond du Lac, WI Posts: 224	The Piloto can be transformed from a dog into a nice flyer with two slices of a sharp knife: amputate the bottom wing next to the fuselage.

Oct 14, 2008, 07:44 PM	#7
pdiddyg40 professional crasher Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 897	will that seriously help or are you kidding? haha im lost! -P.D.

Oct 14, 2008, 07:54 PM	#8
bobskinner Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 223	Thank you for the review. I have a question, if I may. Forgive me if it was answered in the review and I missed it somehow. Do you have proportional control over the rudder, or is if full left and right only? For interest sake: The flying characteristics look almost identical to the Silverlit Palm-Z/Nano Hawk, but the Piloto does appear to be a tad faster. If it weighs 0.5 oz, that is more than twice the weight of the Palm-Z (~6g) and with only a quarter inch or so bigger wingspan that probably explains the extra speed. From my understanding the plane needs to be tail heavy, as this helps achieve slower flight. It is the same with the Palm-Z, a power-off toss results in it flipping around like a piece of paper rather than gliding like a plane but they do fly nice and slow. The 100ft range is definitely quite a bit better than the Palm-Z which only has about 15-20ft range. I don't own one but then there is also the Avion that apparently has proportional rudder control and is easier to fly, but it also costs a whole lot more than either of these other 2 planes. Again thanks for the review. There are a surprisingly large number of people interested in these micro RTF planes/toys it is good to see them also getting some review attention. Bob

Oct 14, 2008, 07:56 PM	#9
bobskinner Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 223	Pdiddy, I wouldn't be surprised if taking the bottom wing off helps. It helps a lot with the Aero Ace biplanes, but try it at own risk.

Oct 14, 2008, 10:16 PM	#10
pdiddyg40 professional crasher Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 897	haha. ok thanks. i just figured that if you took the bottom wing off a biplane that half the lift would be lost, and once you cut it off, there is no turning back. thanks for the info! -P.D.

Oct 14, 2008, 10:26 PM	#11
raythomas KZ RIDER Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Confederate States of America Posts: 993	Bob- The rudder is pulse type, not proportional. Its centered by means of the silicone hinge material and then is either full right or full left when you move the stick. It seems to fly best when you just bump the stick instead of holding them full over. This can cause a nasty spiral into the ground. Tail heavy? Yes slightly. Most of the indoor flyers seem to be this way. I believe this causes the plane to fly at a nose high attitude and slower than if the wings were level. This also causes the glide to be more close to the stall. And yes, the range on this partiular model is excellent. Glad you fellows are enjoying my review. Thanks Ray

Oct 15, 2008, 12:12 AM	#12
modfly Achieving Air Superiority Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: "K" Town..Ohio Posts: 12,783	range and good radio operation is a major plus to me. Sounds like a cool plane..

Oct 15, 2008, 01:39 AM	#14
modfly Achieving Air Superiority Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: "K" Town..Ohio Posts: 12,783	I would not remove the wing..If you don't like high alpha flight then adjust in down elevator.