Which Park Flyer

[TW]

Hi,

I almost bought a PiccoStick today - I was very tempted. What stopped me was the "special" battery pack it needed.

I have several Piccolo battery packs and would like to use these on a lightweight electric plane, does anybody know of a suitable kit/model?

Thanks,

Tony.

[Luxor]

Hey TW, your here too. I have the Eindecker and the Bleriot III. The nice thing is that most everything is compatible with the Piccolo, right down to the motor. These planes fly very well, and slow. I use my Piccolo batts regularly with great success. On the down side though, I needed a new 295 for the Picc but couldn't wait so I robbed the 280 from the Eindecker, it works perfectly in the Picc. It is nice to put the Picc down and fly something that is relaxing for a change(I still love my Picc best though). Thx, Eric S. NLE81800

[TW]

Hey, fancy meeting you here! http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif

This is my first look into what's available in plank-type electrics (I'm a long-time glow-motor-man suffering a midlife drif to electrics I think).

I've seen the Bleriot flying at my local indoor meet. Actually I should see it again tomorrow night - you can bet I'll be taking a much closer look after what you've just told me.

I thought the PiccoStick was just what I was looking for - a lightweight platform for a Piccolo-sized powerplant. I guess the Eindecker would be similar (but a bit larger and with a proper fuz instead of a stick?

Do you fly yours outdoors? If yes, do they get blown about in a breeze?

Tony.

[Luxor]

I do fly outdoors when it's not too windy, around 10-15 MPH. The planes have alot of power so they can handle the wind without much trouble. I did modify them a little though. The first thing was to support the wings so they wouldn't flex upward. I used carbon tow, going from wingtip to wingtip. The second was replacing the balsa triangle with carbon fiber. Other then that it's totaly stock. There is nothing quite as relaxing as going the the ball park and flying silently. Thx, Eric S. NLE81800

[TW]

Thanks for the info Luxor,

Regards,

Tony.

[Michele]

TW, what is PiccoStick? I have found anything about this on the Ikarus site...

ciao,




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Michele IMM091500

[Antyoo]

TW,
hobby people and towerhobbies have lots of slow/park fliers that are cheaper then the ones at hobby lobby. towerhobbies has one in the form of an extra for tricks.

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Thx.
Antyoo

[TW]

Michele, PiccoStick is an indoor, ARTF model plane having a stick instead of fuz. It's small, around 20-inch span, very light and, I just happened to see it in my local model shop. I assumed it would be a "well-known" model - but maybe it's not. Sorry I don't have more info.

Antyoo - thanks for the info. I'll look around some more before coming to a decision (this could take a while - plenty of time and I enjoy just "looking").

Tony.

[Michele]

Thanks Tony, it seems to be very similar to Bleriot by Ikarus!

ciao,



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Michele IMM091500

[TW]

Michele,

Not really. It's actually much smaller, weighs less and runs off a smaller battery pack too.

If I can find out some details I'll write them up later.

Tony.

[Michele]

Ok, Thanks

Ciao



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Michele IMM091500

[TW]

OK, Here’s the low-down on the “GWS” ARFT Pico-Stick. Wingspan: 27-inches (it looked smaller than that in the shop, but there you go); Wing area: 237 sq. in.; Flying weight: 285-200g. It comes in red with black crosses on the wings and on the almost circular v.stab; has scalloped trailing edge flying surfaces; comes ready-built and “clips together”. It comes with battery and RC equipment “frame”, micro motor, gearbox, prop, spinner and ultra-lightweight wheels. It’s 3-channel, accepts micro RC gear and the “moulded wings” have built-in wash-out. It says in the advertising blurb that it’s achieved 22 minutes 50 seconds indoor flight. The cost: £19.99, or £89.99 as a “deal” with 2 micro servos, Rx, speed controller and battery pack, or £169.99 complete with Tx , Xtals and charger.

Tony.

[will62085]

wow, i think you are confusing something, the wingspan on the GWS pico and lite stiks are 38 inches...similar in flying characteristics and weight to the bleroits ive heard...but my stik has a 38 inch wing

[TW]

No I don't think I've got this wrong. The one I saw in my local model shop definitely wasn't 38-inch span. It was quite small and I was actually surprised it was as "big" as the 27-inches quoted in the model flying magazine ad I got the information from.

[will62085]

look it up again, the fuse length is 27 inches...the wingspan is 37, trust me, i own 2... http://www.ikarus-modellbau.de/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif

[TW]

Hi Will,

OK, I'll "trust" you. I've looked it up again and it does say 27-inches. Must be a misprint I guess.

Tony.

[TW]

Hey Will,

Just as a matter of interest (and as you have two of the models you must be interested) - do you fly them outdoors at all? Also, how long can you fly on a charge, and what type of battery pack do you use?

Tony.

[will62085]

i only fly mine outdoors, i have no indoor site to fly them...i have the full fuse and the standard...its the same wing and tails, just a fuse...i like the standard one more though...i use a 7 cell 110mah nicad with about 3-4 min flight times conserving power...i use older cells so you might get better flights,
Will

[TW]

Thanks for the info Will.

I'm still flying glow-power at the moment but thinking of getting into electric "planks" following getting a Piccolo late last year.

It's the duration that has always "put me off" electric power. Although I suppose with a few battery packs it's possible to keep flying whilst re-charging.

Tony.

[will62085]

well, if u fly glow, i assume you build kits, i wouldnt get a light stik, althougha wonderful begginer airplane, its nothing compared to a real glow machine...if you have any building experience, i would suggest building your own, youd be supprized what can fly, its not as hard as it sounds to make a custom plane, just about anything with 2 wings will fly..hehe...as a start, scale down the deminsions of your favorite glow, and start bulding...if you have any questions on what motor, battery and servos, etc., just post the deminsions of your plane and what type of plane it is, and i will try to help...just remember, keep it light,
Will

[TW]

Thanks for this Will. Yes I've built kits, also built from plans and made a few own-designed (some more successful than others) in the past.

In the very near future an electric-powered-only club is due to start-up where I am. As I know nothing about electricity as a power-plant I think my best plan is to join this club and see who's flying what before deciding which way seems the best for me.

Thanks for your help.

Tony.

[Johnt]

TW. If you buy a PicoStick make sure you get the 'Hot' DN motor with the 11" prop, and use 7 or 8 120mah cells from overlander. Also attach a thread from wing tip to wing tip to increase the dihedral to make the turns tighter. Cut the hinge lines on the rudder and elevator and re-hinge with tape. Don't use the Crosses, they do not stick well and cause drag. Get as much rudder movement as possible. happy landings

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Johnt

[TW]

Thanks for your advice Johnt. If I "go this route" I will certainly do as you suggest. At the moment I am still waiting to hear when my local club will start-up (could be winter at this rate).

Tony.