[BenR]

Maiden flight report

Plane: Eflite UMX Beast 3D (with AS3X)
Location: Unofficial airfield (double fields in out of the way area, with a plane under 100grams)
Date: 28/11/12
Conditions: Overcast, no to very light winds.

I have been wanting to get a plane that I can fly in my lunch break. I knew that it would have to be under 100 grams to be exempt from flying regulations. I had originally planned the Carbon Cub, but ended up with the Beast as there were huge delays in getting Carbon Cubs.

The plane looks very nice - if you havent seen one its a modified Pitts 12 biplane done in red and black, and about a foot long. Site is http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Defaul...D=EFLU4080

I got the plane a while ago, but had to send it back under warranty. The servos were attached to a control board, and in the first plane that board was not glued in, and the board moved with application of rudder or elevator, making both controls move at the application of a control.

Anyway I got the warranty one back eventually (after AusPost took 2 weeks to deliver it from Newcastle.......) and took it for a fly today. Control surface tests all performed well on the ground and throttle check was ok too. Set up dual rates giving myself only light control and reasonable expo, but left the top settings available for if I needed it. I also got and used an extra battery which had higher mAh, and its extra weight was 99% likely the reason that things went the way they did.

Taking it up in the air I was struck by how much it wanted to sink to the ground and land (from a hand launch) (hint - it was probably battery weight). After fighting it a bit, I cut the throttle and landed it in rough grass while keeping the wings level. This took off one of the wheel covers. (which didnt greatly concern me).

Tried to see what it was, and figured that the way to fix it would be to adjust the control surfaces, and gave myself higher rates (which wasnt the best move). Second flight was ok, still a little tendancy to sink, but the landing was hard. Cut the throttle higher up trying to see how well it would glide in, touched the ailerons trying to level it a bit and flipped the plane. That was followed by a unpowered meeting of the earth, where some of the foam tabs making the battery cover hold on broke, and some foam crumpling. One of the connectors that hold the upper wing also came unstuck, but that looks a case of regluing.

How was it while it was in the air? I only have a T-28 to compare it to, and it was definately a much faster machine and a hell of a lot more nimble. That flip before the crash happened was done in the blink of an eye, and it had enough speed for me to be very cautious of the throttle, only opening it up when I had it level and the space for it, and even then just to verify. I knew before I got it that there was definately the chance it was too advanced for me to handle, and that proved to be true. It has reinforced that even with some sim time, I need to get the T-28 up a lot more before I get back to this one. But I am still happy to have had a brief taste of what lies in store for me when I get more proficient.