Well I had my first flight with my Sokol today. Set it up with a Astro 010 14T , 4.7x4.7 CAM Speed prop and 10-cell 720mah NiMh battery. AUW of 12.3 oz. The launch was very easy and it came on step very quick. I flew to altitude and trimmed it out. MAN this thing is fast!! It was like watching one of the racing videos in fast forward, extremely fast. It handled great and was easy to fly.

Now for the bad part After about 5 minutes of full throttle flight I lost complete control for a second. I had no control responce. It headed for the ground, but I got control back about 15 feet from the ground. I instantly turned off the motor and was comming around for a landing. During the turn (still going fast ~60m.p.h.) I again lost all control responce and it hit the ground hard.

I walked over to inspect the damage. The plane hit at about a 70 degree angle square on the nose. The wing had total compression failure, it was cracked and bent right behind the spar on both top and bottom of the wing and the part where the torque rods are was also broke. The fuse had a radial compression fracture right behind the wing saddle.

The wing is totalled, but I can still use the fuse.

I took out the 010 and found that the rear bearing was forced out of its seat by about 1/8". I pressed it back in and the motor seems to be working fine.

It was great while it lasted, sure wish it didn't happen. I really can't see me buying another one any time soon. I might just use the fuse and cut/bag my own wing.

Is there anywhere where I can buy just the wing? How much would it be?

-- Acer
http://speedwing.net

I'm really sorry to hear about your Sokol.

Watch the classified for a used one, I just picked up a spare for $100.00.

Oh man, that bites.......radio hit ?

What receiver were you using?

I was using a 555 with an Azarr antenna. It was an old receiver that has been used in other planes. I guess I should have used a new one with no prior crashes to it. I was thinking about it, it seemed to work fine then all the sudden, no radio, then on then off again. It was probably a cracked crystal.

Oh well, I guess I'll put the 010 back into a wing I've been designing.

-- Acer
http://speedwing.net

Acer,
Sorry about your crash, I had similar one today, on the field I fly I often had radio glitches- plenty of radios are "on". I flew maiden flight on VIP with 020 and HC555. After gaining some altitude, the plane behaved flawlessly I got hit really badly, completly out of control, hit the runway nose first, fuse is gone, wing ok.
There is one conclusion - big, slow slimers are going trough glitches without notice. Small, fast one are vurnerable and need a very clean air. I will send my radio to HiTec for check-up, just in case...
Janusz

You can buy a wing from Alex, the first importer to sell Sokols in the Americas.
Starflight in Toronto, Canada

Eric - Do you know if Starflight has a website, nothing comes up on a search.

Thanks

http://www.jutstar.com/sf/index.htm

alex sells the wing for $65.00 shipped.............gregg

I recommend to use a Schulze Alpha 4 receiver, 100% reliable and very small and light, I never experienced a single glitch with it even with the antenna cut to 50cm:

www.schulze-elektronik.com

Kris - In the U.S. we use 72mhz, Shulze does not seem to have them available.

Anyone know where/how I can get foam cores? I'd like to build a sheeted wing that's a bit more durable than the hollow-moulded wing supplied with the Sokol kit. The supplied wing is a bit "fragile."

I have been looking at the BERG Shulze has been involved with the new Micro stamp 4DP might just be the Ticket.
@AQcer I too have beenhaving glitches with my 555 RX it too has been in other planes. I almost lost my miniflash to glitches today.Lucky for me it came down in a 3 point landing. NOTHING wrong! Iwas very very fortunate I am not gooing tobe flying iut until I put a diffrent RX into it. I have a GWS 4RP ihave been having good success with but i ama little hesitant to put that into my MF I know the BERG is also Single conversion But it is ALOT better of a RX than the GWS.

Kush

PS Sorry about your loss.

Acer,

Sorry to hear about your loss. However, I would like to recommend two VERY good receivers, specially for small pylon planes:

- Berg DSP-5
- FMA M-5

Both of these receivers have software that prevents glitches from reaching the servos. If the signal is corrupted, the Rx simply discards the signal so the servo does no see the glitch. I have them both and I have not had a single glitch. I actually fly my Sokol with the Berg DSP-5 and an Azarr antenna.

Flying Cat