My LHS was able to source another UMX Yak 54 at one of their other locations and was able to transfer it down to my location. I purchased it for $129 with my AMA Discount that they offer. My first UMX Yak 54 is so enjoyable to fly that I wanted to keep that first one in the box to save and wanted to have this second UMX Yak 54 to use the most on the field. As this plane is now discontinued, it has exceeded my expectations and therefore gets my "is worthy of two" status.

Last night I finished prepping my second UMX Yak with my personal upgrades (.050 Carbon Fiber Rudder Spar, UMX Pitts Foam Wheels with Dubro Mini Lite Hubs, GWS 5030 3-Bladed Prop, Small Parts CNC Aluminum UMX Carbon Cub SS Prop Adapter - Long).

All control surfaces have been centered and the landing gear wire has also been raked slightly forward for better ground handling and reduced nose tipping (especially when landing on astroturf fields). I also replaced the stock canopy hatch with a new sticker-less canopy hatch, as I couldn't stand that ridiculous chalk-mark "3D" sticker that comes stock affixed on the nose. Lastly, I added a Canopy Hatch Tape-Tab for ease of access to the battery (the magnets on this hatch is strong), as well the replacement of the stock battery Velcro to Industrial Velcro.

Of course, I finished setting this plane up and prepping it at 2am as I didn't get home from work and then coaching until 9pm (which is normal for me). Then I had to feed the...Continue Reading

This is a Snow Maiden Flight with my UMX Beast 3D outfitted with the UMX Carbon Cub SS Floats.

Eflite UMX Beast 3D Snow Floats Flight - Snow Beast (5 min 11 sec)

With 2 days of a Colorado Blizzard leaving me stuck at home with nothing to do but want to fly my upgraded UMX Beast 3D (3000 Kv Motor / GWS 5030 Prop), what do you do? Outfit it with the UMX Carbon Cub SS Optional Floats and wait for it to stop snowing!

This set of Floats is the same set that I used with the Custom .047 Music Wire Front Arm and Rear Keystone Mounting Bracket that I previously used on my Hobbyzone Champ Crophopper (2S Brushless w/ Ailerons): https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2564877 The Custom .047 Music Wire Front Arm that I made for my Hobbyzone Champ Crophopper (2S Brushless w/ Ailerons) also happened to fit correctly on the UMX Beast 3D, and all that was left to do was create a Mounting Point for the Rear Arm holding the Keystone Bracket. This was accomplished with a small square piece of Scotch Tape on the Rear Mounting Area of the Fuselage, followed by a square piece of Industrial Velcro. The Velcro itself can be removed (when it is applied on top of the square Scotch Tape-surfaced part of the Fuselage) later, damage-free. The Industrial Velcro then attaches to the Rear Keystone, providing a shock-absorbing and secure attachment point.

Winds at the Valor Highschool Football Field were fairly gusty, however proved no match for the UMX Beast 3D's AS3X wind-...Continue Reading

This is the Maiden Flight of my Eflite UMX Yak 54.

Eflite UMX Yak 54 Maiden Flight - Taming of The Yak (6 min 30 sec)

Prior to the Maiden Flight, I had outfitted my UMX Yak 54 with Dubro 1-1/4" Mini Lite Wheels and then raked the Landing Gears slightly forward for improved AstroTurf Ground Handling and minimizing nose overs. I had also reinforced the Vertical Stabilizer / Rudder and the Horizontal Stabilizer / Elevator with .040 Carbon Fiber Rod Spars for increased rigidity and protection. For ease of Battery Hatch access, I added a small Tape Tab at the front of the Hatch, and for a finished look, I added a UMX Pitts S-1S Prop Spinner which not only matched the Prop, but also the whole scheme of the Yak.

I was very impressed with the flight characteristics of this plane. Flying at the Factory Manual 100% Rates and recommended Expo, the UMX Yak 54 was well-mannered with very predictable handling. As I stated in the video, I'm not much of a 3D Pilot but I could not help smiling as this plane revealed to me the wide flight envelope it possessed. It flies very much like a mono-wing UMX Beast 3D. Even with some moderate gusting at the park, the UMX Yak 54 maintained poise and predictability with the on-board AS3X. Landings however can be a bit floaty as there is a sweet spot of throttle that has to be managed in order to set up a smooth approach, very much like a UMX Sbach 3D. Using a stout Hyperion 2S 330 mAh Babbelbatt (17 Grams) placed in the middle...Continue Reading

Thanks to the latest Flite Test video, I was able to create my first FT / Horizon Hobby Ultra Micro Nutball using a new Receiver Board off a Hobbyzone Champ, as well as a new 8mm Brushed Motor and Prop Combination from the Hobbyzone Sport Cub S. Thanks North_Of_49 for pointing that video out and Flite Test for the awesome idea!!

Flite Test Ultra Micro Projects Video:

Micro Plane Projects | Flite Test (12 min 45 sec)