Difficulty to Fly Rating System - Page 5

Ickarusmelt · Jan 28, 2008, 12:41 AM

From newbie experience with the PZ mini C210 centurion, I'd say 3 flying inside for a newbie (easy to hit the wall but its repairable) and 2 outside (with no wind) lots of room. It does what you tell it to as long as you stay oriented and has no bad habits. Icky

jpwkeeper · Jan 28, 2008, 08:01 AM

All entries updated on the first page. Also did a secondary sort by name and broke the listing up by integral rating for better readability.

jpwkeeper · Jan 28, 2008, 08:12 AM

Sorry. First page fixed with missing entries.

However, I'm concerned about a discrepancy. I see GWS Formosa rated at 9 and Formosa II rated at 6.

Isnt the Formosa II supposed to be larger, faster, and more aerobatic than the original? Right now it's listed as a good 2nd plane (which is usually the aileron trainer). Can anyone comment on this?

Offtom · Jan 28, 2008, 10:27 AM

Surprised it's not on the list

2 - Mountain Models Magpie Slow flyer
3.5 - Mountain Models Magpie Sport Flyer

jpwkeeper · Jan 28, 2008, 10:49 AM

Updated. 73 Different aircraft currently being rated. Keep em coming guys!

wjkrysak · Jan 29, 2008, 11:17 AM

MM Dandy-5
MM Eva Bipe-6
AP Soarstick-4
AP Shaft-6
Shulman Zip Stik-8
Snotliner-8

These ratings are based on my 4 years of flying experience. My learning curve went through a few SS's-(rate 2), and Yardstick-(rate 3), Tiger Moth (rate 5), no sim.

TommyB · Jan 29, 2008, 11:17 AM

SA Shaft I'd rate a 4.

4444 · Jan 29, 2008, 11:20 AM

My contribution:
Stevens Aero Squirt (400, and 700) - 5
Stevens Aero Soar Stik - 5
Stevens Aero "Diddle" series of planes (Bugs, Rods, Lil' Squirt, etc.) - 5
Stevens Aero SHAFT - 5
Stevens Aero Distraction - 8
Stevens Aero CAP 232 (micro, and 300) - 8
Stevens Aero G-Ride - 8
Stevens Aero Groove - 8
Stevens Aero Edge - 9

jpwkeeper · Jan 29, 2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjkrysak

MM Dandy-5
MM Eva Bipe-6
AP Soarstick-4
AP Shaft-6
Shulman Zip Stik-8
Snotliner-8

These ratings are based on my 4 years of flying experience. My learning curve went through a few SS's-(rate 2), and Yardstick-(rate 3), Tiger Moth (rate 5), no sim.

Few points I'd like to clarify. AP Soarstick and AP Shaft, did you mean SA instead of AP? Or are you trying to say that your ratings for each of these is based on their carrying a camera for AP?

jpwkeeper · Jan 29, 2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjkrysak

MM Dandy-5
MM Eva Bipe-6
AP Soarstick-4
AP Shaft-6
Shulman Zip Stik-8
Snotliner-8

These ratings are based on my 4 years of flying experience. My learning curve went through a few SS's-(rate 2), and Yardstick-(rate 3), Tiger Moth (rate 5), no sim.

Also, is that the Pico Tiger Moth or the Tiger Moth 400?

jpwkeeper · Jan 29, 2008, 11:34 AM

Updated, minus the ambiguous Tiger Moth reference and assuming that AP Soarstik and AP Shaft refer to the standard SA planes of the same name.

Wow, from 73 to 87 planes in 3 posts!

BEC · Jan 29, 2008, 02:05 PM

Several thoughts on this. I came here thanks to a query posted in one of Stevens Aero SHAFT threads in Parkflyers....comments to follow on planes I own:

On the SHAFT - I'd concur with it's placement between 5 and 6 - PROVIDED it's not overpowered and one uses the "start here" control throws and CG in the instructions. If you put over about 125W on it and turn up the throws - move it to 8 or so.

On the Stevens "Diddle" series - 6 is WAY too high. Remember the DiddleBug was designed for Bill's then-5-year-old son to learn on. I have had rank beginners come very close to soloing on the MudBug and Little SQuiRT in one battery charge's worth of buddy-box time. My nearly rank beginner daughter and wife have both soloed on the DiddleBug. So I'd say the 'Bug series is 'more like 1-2 than 6. My daughter finds the DiddleBug MUCH easier to fly than her EasyStar. This is because it is strongly stable in both roll and pitch. The other two 'Bug series planes I have are not quite so but still very easy.

If the Stevens stik is 3.5, then the Mountain Models Dandy Sport and Switchback Sport are also as they all fly very similarly. Perhaps the MM planes are a tiny bit more difficult (their inverted flight manners are not as good as the stik's). But that rating may be a bit low. I wonder which Dandy (of the three variants) wjkrysak was referring to.

I'd make the Mountain Models SmoothE SP a 5-6 as well. The so-called slow-flyer wing for the SmoothE makes little difference in my experience. I'd put the ElectroFlying Designs eSKA in the same bucket as it has many similar characteristics to the SmoothE SP. Perhaps the Dandy GT would be in this bucket as well. I've never flown the Switchback GT/3D so can't say about it but would expect it to be similar.

Other additions:

Wing Dragon and T-Hawk (with the standard wing) both fit in the 3.5 or so range.

The SA SQuiRT 400 in three-channel form is no more than a 4 in my opinion (bearing in mind that it was intended to be the next step after the DiddleBug for Zach Stevens). With the aileron wing it is rather more demanding and making it a 5 or even a 6 makes sense. I expect the 700 (I've not finished mine) would be similar but perhaps just a bit easier due to the larger size/perceived slower flight.

The Sig Kadet EP-42 (and for that matter the LT-25) are 4-5 types, perhaps even 3-4.

I'm sure there are others I could add but this is a good start.

jpwkeeper · Jan 29, 2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks BEC.

96 airplanes guys. Can we find 4 more?

Unless wjkrysak revises his entry, it's going to be hard to bring the DiddleBug down, which is a shame since we don't have much in the "Young Solo" category. Perhaps he was referring to something farther down the line, like the DiddleRod, so we can break it out.

I think the original vote for the Dandy was the stock wing, so I broke out the sport version with your rating.

jpwkeeper · Jan 29, 2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEC

On the SHAFT - I'd concur with it's placement between 5 and 6 - PROVIDED it's not overpowered and one uses the "start here" control throws and CG in the instructions.

One of the early stipulations was that all ratings were stock or recommended setups, nothing wild. You can make any airplane a 10 difficulty if you put a motor that is way too big or way too small.

wjkrysak · Jan 29, 2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpwkeeper

Few points I'd like to clarify. AP Soarstick and AP Shaft, did you mean SA instead of AP? Or are you trying to say that your ratings for each of these is based on their carrying a camera for AP?

Hello Jp,
Oops, SA rather than AP. Although, ironically my SoarStick is also my AP. bill

Jan 28, 2008, 12:41 AM	#61
Ickarusmelt old pilot Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rapid City SD Posts: 3,235	From newbie experience with the PZ mini C210 centurion, I'd say 3 flying inside for a newbie (easy to hit the wall but its repairable) and 2 outside (with no wind) lots of room. It does what you tell it to as long as you stay oriented and has no bad habits. Icky Last edited by Ickarusmelt; Jan 28, 2008 at 12:47 AM.

Jan 29, 2008, 11:17 AM	#66
wjkrysak cheaha "magic" bill Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: SE USA Georgia Posts: 247	Ratings MM Dandy-5 MM Eva Bipe-6 AP Soarstick-4 AP Shaft-6 Shulman Zip Stik-8 Snotliner-8 These ratings are based on my 4 years of flying experience. My learning curve went through a few SS's-(rate 2), and Yardstick-(rate 3), Tiger Moth (rate 5), no sim.

Jan 29, 2008, 02:05 PM	#72
BEC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Auburn, Washington USA Posts: 12,561	SA and MM opinions Several thoughts on this. I came here thanks to a query posted in one of Stevens Aero SHAFT threads in Parkflyers....comments to follow on planes I own: On the SHAFT - I'd concur with it's placement between 5 and 6 - PROVIDED it's not overpowered and one uses the "start here" control throws and CG in the instructions. If you put over about 125W on it and turn up the throws - move it to 8 or so. On the Stevens "Diddle" series - 6 is WAY too high. Remember the DiddleBug was designed for Bill's then-5-year-old son to learn on. I have had rank beginners come very close to soloing on the MudBug and Little SQuiRT in one battery charge's worth of buddy-box time. My nearly rank beginner daughter and wife have both soloed on the DiddleBug. So I'd say the 'Bug series is 'more like 1-2 than 6. My daughter finds the DiddleBug MUCH easier to fly than her EasyStar. This is because it is strongly stable in both roll and pitch. The other two 'Bug series planes I have are not quite so but still very easy. If the Stevens stik is 3.5, then the Mountain Models Dandy Sport and Switchback Sport are also as they all fly very similarly. Perhaps the MM planes are a tiny bit more difficult (their inverted flight manners are not as good as the stik's). But that rating may be a bit low. I wonder which Dandy (of the three variants) wjkrysak was referring to. I'd make the Mountain Models SmoothE SP a 5-6 as well. The so-called slow-flyer wing for the SmoothE makes little difference in my experience. I'd put the ElectroFlying Designs eSKA in the same bucket as it has many similar characteristics to the SmoothE SP. Perhaps the Dandy GT would be in this bucket as well. I've never flown the Switchback GT/3D so can't say about it but would expect it to be similar. Other additions: Wing Dragon and T-Hawk (with the standard wing) both fit in the 3.5 or so range. The SA SQuiRT 400 in three-channel form is no more than a 4 in my opinion (bearing in mind that it was intended to be the next step after the DiddleBug for Zach Stevens). With the aileron wing it is rather more demanding and making it a 5 or even a 6 makes sense. I expect the 700 (I've not finished mine) would be similar but perhaps just a bit easier due to the larger size/perceived slower flight. The Sig Kadet EP-42 (and for that matter the LT-25) are 4-5 types, perhaps even 3-4. I'm sure there are others I could add but this is a good start.

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Jan 28, 2008, 08:01 AM	#62
jpwkeeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 579	All entries updated on the first page. Also did a secondary sort by name and broke the listing up by integral rating for better readability.

Jan 28, 2008, 08:12 AM	#63
jpwkeeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 579	Sorry. First page fixed with missing entries. However, I'm concerned about a discrepancy. I see GWS Formosa rated at 9 and Formosa II rated at 6. Isnt the Formosa II supposed to be larger, faster, and more aerobatic than the original? Right now it's listed as a good 2nd plane (which is usually the aileron trainer). Can anyone comment on this?

Jan 28, 2008, 10:27 AM	#64
Offtom Megans Servant Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 222	Surprised it's not on the list 2 - Mountain Models Magpie Slow flyer 3.5 - Mountain Models Magpie Sport Flyer

Jan 28, 2008, 10:49 AM	#65
jpwkeeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 579	Updated. 73 Different aircraft currently being rated. Keep em coming guys!

Jan 29, 2008, 11:17 AM	#67
TommyB Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,488	SA Shaft I'd rate a 4.

Jan 29, 2008, 11:20 AM	#68
4444 Bob Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 245	My contribution: Stevens Aero Squirt (400, and 700) - 5 Stevens Aero Soar Stik - 5 Stevens Aero "Diddle" series of planes (Bugs, Rods, Lil' Squirt, etc.) - 5 Stevens Aero SHAFT - 5 Stevens Aero Distraction - 8 Stevens Aero CAP 232 (micro, and 300) - 8 Stevens Aero G-Ride - 8 Stevens Aero Groove - 8 Stevens Aero Edge - 9

Jan 29, 2008, 11:34 AM	#71
jpwkeeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 579	Updated, minus the ambiguous Tiger Moth reference and assuming that AP Soarstik and AP Shaft refer to the standard SA planes of the same name. Wow, from 73 to 87 planes in 3 posts!

Jan 29, 2008, 02:28 PM	#73
jpwkeeper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 579	Thanks BEC. 96 airplanes guys. Can we find 4 more? Unless wjkrysak revises his entry, it's going to be hard to bring the DiddleBug down, which is a shame since we don't have much in the "Young Solo" category. Perhaps he was referring to something farther down the line, like the DiddleRod, so we can break it out. I think the original vote for the Dandy was the stock wing, so I broke out the sport version with your rating.