Maiden: 9/2012
Number of flights: 300 (as of this post)
Major crashes & repairs: 1 (spektrum signal loss).

Components:
Rx: Last Spektrum Plane (AR8000) then Futaba R6208SB then Futaba R617FS
Motor: Omega 130
ESC: HobbyWing 60 ESC.
BEC: CC 10A
Batteries: Glacier 30C 2200mAh and Glacier 30C 2600mAh.
Servos: Hitec 65MG servos

Verdict: Awesome first balsa plane and 3D trainer. Here is what I had to say about this plane here:

This Plane is nothing short of magical. it was touched by the Aviation Gods! You think I am kidding?
I started Flying exactly a year ago in Jan of last year. I was the "weird" guy with the electric Foamy Cessna (amongst mostly nitro/gas fliers). This Plane is my third Plane (!) and first ever balsa Plane (FMS SkyTrainer, GWS Formosa II, and now the Edge). It is also the Plane I have now flown the most without crashing (160 flights) knock on wood . All while flying it the hardest and riskiest (trying to learn 3D). In exactly one year I went from the guy people are scared is going to fly into their cars to the one my buddies consult with (scary huh?) and one that earned the respect of the field veterans for his flying... People (mostly circle fliers where I fly) gather around the Edge in awe and curiosity given the way it flies (wind or no wind) despite their much larger much more capable (non-3DHS planes). I look at those giants 50CC, 75CC Extras and Edges that get nothing but fly circles all day and you can see them...Continue Reading

Flew: 9/2012 to 4/2013
Number of flights: 52
Major crashes & repairs: 3 (stupidity, spektrum signal loss, first buddy box attempt).

Components:
Rx: Spektrum AR400
Motor: Power Up 15
ESC: Exceed RC Proton 40A.
BEC: CC 10A
Batteries: Turnigy 3000mah 30C and Glacier 30C 2600mAh.
Servos: 4 * New Power 9G MG servos
Hinges: Dubro Nylon #116 for rudder and elevator. CA hinges for the ailerons.

Verdict: Still an awesome 2nd plane and an aerobatic trainer.

Flew: 5/2012 to 8/2012
Number of flights: 85
Major crashes & repairs: 4

Components:
RX: AR8000.
Motor: E-flite Power 15.
ESC: Exceed RC Proton 60A.
BEC: Exceed RC 8A UBEC (died in flight) then CC 10Amp BEC.
Batteries: Turnigy 3000mah 30C / buddyrc 2600mah 30C
Servos: 4 * buddyrc NewPower 17G MG Digital (developed terrible sloop).
LG: Corsair Plates (PKZ4623) + T-28 LG (PKZ4406).

Verdict: Awesome 2nd plane and an aerobatic trainer....Continue Reading

It was time to buy a proper Tx case. I wanted a double case to hold both a Tx and a charger for now and eventually a Tx for my Son. So of course first I was fantasizing on a Pelican 1500 case (love the yellow!) but couldn't justify the expense for it right now...
Then I was thinking about the double case from common sense RC which has an attractive price ($50) but shipping was relatively expensive at $15.
I finally settled on this photography Zeikos case ($36.66 + Free Shipping). I was really pleasantly surprised with the quality (given the price) and the features (pick-and-pluck foam).

I have also upgraded my "schlep to the car" cart. I recently got a 60lbs marine battery and the office depot file cart I was using was not going to cut it. I ended up getting this one from Amazon which also seems to be good value at $34.99 + 4.90 Shipping. The size as you can see is perfect.

GWS Formosa II flying videos from July 4th. These are my 78th and 79th flights in RC ever (I started in January) so critique/suggestions are most welcome.

Rear facing camera view:

GWS Formosa II Aerobatics (Rear Facing View) (8 min 12 sec)

First flight of the day (forward facing view):

GWS Formosa II Aerobatics (9 min 34 sec)

...Continue Reading

Cross posting an older video from YouTube....

I had 42 successful flights in this field so far with a Spektrum DX7s (which I love) and its AR8000 Rx. No issues whatsoever, not a glitch, no nothing. Flawless, I couldn't be happier. I also fly far and high (see my other videos). I even debunked the local Spektrum Myth with it (https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...postcount=2636).

I took the AR8000 out in favor of another Plane and put instead a HobbyKing Orange Rx with a satellite. I figured that just to be on the safe side and as an extra precaution I will add the Satellite as well (even tough it cost more than the Rx itself).

First pack of the day I lost a signal once. I ran towards the Plane and was able to regain control. I was willing to dismiss it as a fluke.

On the second flight I lost a signal again, regained control again, and of course at this point it was obvious something is not right. I brought the Plane even closer and did figure-8s right in front of me high above (say 100ft?). Lost a signal for 3rd time. There was no point running towards the Plane as it was close to me already. I tried to change the Tx position but nothing. The plane darted itself at 3/4 throttle from 100 ft or so (as you can see in the video).

- The TX Antenna was folded at 90 degrees.
- The main orange Rx was by the servos and the Satellite on the side of the fuse far from each other.
- I did a range check at home and at the field without an issue.

I don't have anything against HobbyKing. In fact I buy stuff from them all the time, but statistically it doesn't look good for the Orange Rx in my case (42 AR8000 flights without an issue vs. 1st Orange Rx crash). Perhaps, like they say "you get what you pay for."

The fuse is shattered and sliced in half to the end of the servo bay. Of course it can be glued back up (what else). Either way, I am ready for a break from it. Time to concentrate on a new build...

R/C Plane Crash (HobbyKing Orange Rx Fault?) (7 min 13 sec)

Cross posting older videos from YouTube.

Flight #39 of the FMS SkyTrainer @ Ives Estates Park, FL (wind 6 to 7mph).
I knew the field is going to be empty so i figured this will be a good time to experiment with regular photography (as oppose to the onboard mini-CAM one) without making a complete fool of myself (of course so much for that). I didn't know how much the Camera is going to be able to capture so decided to do fly-bys over the camera instead of trying to fly in its view. Was flying 6 to 15 feet off the ground at 3/4 Throttle out of view... The first flight of the day the Camera stopped recording so I only have the onboard footage (2nd video). The second flight the FPV Camera stopped recording (prob given the crash) so I only have ground camera view (first video). Shame, I wanted to have both for the same flight...
The Camera is a Canon T2i set to capture 1920x1080 @ 60fps. Even at 60fps the plane zooms by and blurry. I need to try a lower resolution perhaps next time. After 14 mins of those fly-bys between the two flights of course I got bored which is where I get into trouble... Without a Plan, I decided to make a loop in front of the camera (low to the ground) and a split second decision to go inverted as a continuous maneuver from the loop. Then of course I dumb-thumb it and pulled up instead of down... Disappointing considering how much time I have been spending inverted lately.
Oh well, all in a day of flying.

The plane is completely repairable (...Continue Reading

Cross posting an older video from YouTube.

Crash!

So after 22 mostly successful flights in this hobby (and 2 or 3 minor crashes where I can blame external factors), here there is no one to blame but the Pilot...

After two weekends of flying high @ 15+ winds it was a beautiful day with around 4mph. I was practicing light aerobatics and doing low flybys (feeling confident given the lack of wind).

My mistake is clearly evident in the video.

Cowl pieces exploded all over. It was pretty hilarious. The ironic thing is that this is my favorite video to date.

I am not mad or disappointed. This is all my doing. I would do it all over again. It was one hell of a fun flight. I could have flown in circles in the sky, but I chose not to...

A friend on the ground said that the only reason I crashed is because I am bored with the Plane and trying to do things that were not meant to be done with it so maybe I need a step up...

R/C Cessna 182 Crash :( (9 min 24 sec)

The complete set of youtube videos are here...