More tests of my planes from China

Yesterday, I performed some more tests with my planes from China. Since I had previously broken the prop on the red low-wing plane...I replaced it with a similar size prop -- only difference being that it's a tri-prop vs. the original single. The new prop seemed to work as well as the original and I did get the plane up into the air, but any attempt at turning always sends the plane plummeting to the ground...the design is just not as good as it's yellow cousin, the top-wing version. See the short video below:

Today's a Simulator Day

Have you used a simulator? When I started this hobby 1 year ago, I spent my first month on a simulator -- I used and still use the free one FMS. When I bought my first plane, the HobbyZone Super Cub...I flew it without crashing on day 1 -- I believe it was from the simulator practice. FMS is a great and free RC-Based flight simulator that has hundreds of models available from all over the Internet. There's a forum at the FMS web site that is full of FMS info and links to different models and landscapes. You can even connect your existing transmitters or buy a cheap USB transmitter to fly your simulated models with the same controls that you're used to at the field.

There are more expensive simulators, like Great Planes RealFlight ($199, +extra $ for additional plane packs etc)...and, many hobby stores carry this simulator and even have a stand setup so you can try it. It's a nice simulator...very realistic...and when you crash a model, it has great simulation of parts flying off. I suppose if I had the extra money (you can make a donation to my efforts here, hint, hint) I might actually buy a simulator like this. But, when it comes down to it...I think you can learn all the necessary flying basics from the free one and save your money for the plane or heli you've been dreaming about.

Other simulators I know of: Pre-Flight, AeroFly PRO Deluxe, ClearView, RC Flight Master eXtreme64 & RC Plane Master, RCFSim v6.01, and A general link that lists several simulators

I've tried FMS, Pre-Flight, RealFlight, and RCFSim v6.01 -- They each have their pro & cons. You should find the one that fits your needs by trying several of them out. Most have a free demo download.

An RC-Based simulator is a definite must for the RC enthusiast. You should use one before your first flight...and have one available for late night urges or when the weather doesn't permit flying. Get one...Use it...Love it!

Flight Tests of my new 2-channel Heli

I got this heli the other day...see previous posts...and found that it flew backwards by default...So, I tested it today with weight (taped on 2 AA batteries) added to the front -- like we've all done with our Picco-Z heli's. It seemed to make a difference. You can also see, in the video, that this is a pretty durable copter. I smack it to the ground pretty hard several times and it's only received a few cracks in its canopy. The main rotor blades are a flexible rubber and are pretty strong -- I'm impressed. I still have some more testing to try, but it's not too bad of a heli as long as you're OK with Picco-Z performance i.e., it pretty much flys where it wants to go with limited controllability by the pilot.

Proof that I can fly my Blade, yeah!

Took my Blade to this years departmental day-off party and flew my best flight so far. My onboard camera messed up, dang it, but here's some video my buddy "Blade-Changer" shot. I went for it, put the Blade in the air, and it was awesome. This is a stock CP Pro with yellow plastic main rotors. Thanks for watching.

You get what you pay for part deux...

Here are some pictures of two of the cheap RC planes I just imported from my contact in China. They look real promissing out of the box, but I've yet to get them to fly more than 20' or so before hitting the ground -- don't fly them on your street, you need a park with space.

The red one is a low wing configuration...

The yellow version is a top wing type...

I was hoping they would fly as good as my Fastlane Arrow Flight that I got at Toys-R-Us for $20...The yellow one is close, but not as good -- see my attached comment for my pros & cons list. I still haven't had a good chance at trying the red one.

You get what you pay for...

I recently made contact with a RC toy company in China and ordered samples of 3 planes and one helicopter. 1st impressions...they all look really good, they appear to be of good quality.


But, so far the flight experience has been less than desirable...


I watched this video just the other night and it made me laugh because I had a cheap 2 channel heli from China coming to me in the mail. That heli and the 3 planes arrived today and the heli flys just like the one in this video backwards and spins around alot. Mine even attacked me, like it did the other guy...but, I caught mine before it could bite me.

If I had only paid what I paid and didn't also have to pay the overseas shipping + the electronic funds transfer fee, then it wouldn't be too much of a loss...but, my advice would be to stay clear of these toys -- unless you like frustration, then please...enjoy.