Parkzone Sportcub

[sham]

I finally settled on one of these and ordered it last night.
The plan is for the plane to serve as the next stage in my training.
I've ordered the extra parts for flaps, but not the receiver yet as I can't make up my mind whether to use AS3X or not.
I don't like the idea of control aids while I'm still learning but I really do like the idea of being able to fly in slightly breezier conditions.

Is this tech as good as they say.. Will I even notice it in operation?

What say the collective?

[hghost]

Well first the Sport Club seems to be a good plane

Very close to what you now have , but larger and more controls.

If you are planning to install flaps, you have to learn when you deploy them the plane will balloon, you have to be prepared for that action with some down elevator to stay level

IF you have a Computer radio that you can set expo and mixes etc etc...you can set it up for the elevator to work when you deploy the flaps

Flaps are a nice addition at times.

Now about the AS3X system, it is a stabilizer, it is designed make small corrections on the control surfaces in flight.

I could say many things about the "control aids" statement

Everything you use, is a " control aid " ...it helps aid you in flight

The simple ability to use throttle up and down is a control aid

Many of us years ago did not have that luxury.

Many years ago it had 1 ch some 2 ch that was it .

So just the ability to have 3 and 4 ch is an aid in today's flight.

Flaps for example is also an aid.

So in a true statement if you wanted no aids to help you fly, you would have to go back to the 1 ch type maybe 2 ch, but those who flew 1 ch would tell you having 2 ch was an aid.

Everything today is an "Aid" to help you fly. Without it you would not be flying what you fly now .

This new technology is there for a benefit and a learning tool. No one relies on SAFE or AS3X for example, it is there to help them to learn and it is Not designed to control the plane, You the Pilot are in control, those "aids" are there to help so you can .

I have planes that have SAFE and AS3X and still crash them and land in tree's as do allot of people and most very experienced pilots.

If it were a true "Control Aid " those things would never occur, nor ever could.The "Control Aid" would stop it and "Control it " { GET IT ? }

Even true Pilots who fly real planes rely on SAFE Technology and a Stabilizer system to help them Fly.

Unless you are flying a " Wright Flyer " for example any newer plane has Newer Safe and Stabilizing Technology within it. Auto-Pilot , fly by wire,GPS,etc etc...they even have autonomous ability .

Again whether that be throttle control, ailerons, flaps,etc etc etc....ALL are an "Aid" for the plane to be flown by the Pilot who Controls it.


Whether you get that fact or not . only you can say...but if you are flying the Super Cub,you flew it with "Aids" that helped you do so.

And yes once you understand what AS3X does, you will notice it very quickly .You also will notice what those flaps can do, their Pro's and Cons in flight, especially on Take off and Landing.


Hope that helps .

[sham]

I do understand your point of view, my view on an 'aid' is something that assists the pilot in moving the control surfaces, other than movement of the control sticks/switches. In my cub, if I need to catch it in a gust.. I must move the sticks and not have the electronics move the surfaces for me. I'm not against them, just unsure if I want to us it myself.. I'm veering towards a yes, as the breeze and turbulence where I am can be very unsettling for a light plane and I genuinely think it could help without stopping me learning. What you've said reinforces that view.

I'd read up on the flaps previously, and understand the pitching problem.. So will be dialling in some elevator mixing. I also plan on having 3 position flaps programmed in to give me a middle ground.

Thanks.

[flydiver]

If you can fly the SC OK in your conditions, then you should be OK with the Sport. It's a little bigger, a lot more powerful and will have more control once you get the hang of the ailerons. This will offset some of the wind issues. Just take it up on a nice 'beginner day' the first time out.

[sham]

Jun 11, 2014 20:51:37 GMT 1 flydiver said:

If you can fly the SC OK in your conditions, then you should be OK with the Sport. It's a little bigger, a lot more powerful and will have more control once you get the hang of the ailerons. This will offset some of the wind issues. Just take it up on a nice 'beginner day' the first time out.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm pretty certain that I'll be OK with the Sportcub either with or without AS3X - I'm pretty good with the SC most of the time, with the occasional fluffed landing.
But its still totally undamaged, and as long as I take the learning curve slowly (the same as I did with the SC) I should be OK with more controls.

I'm tempted on AS3X purely for stability on breezy days.

[hghost]

I believe you will enjoy the AS3X and it's ability very well...

That is the one thing I found out by my experimenting with the SC after installing the SAFE/ESC Unit in it and also flying the Delta Ray, although the Delta Ray has been a challenge at my field the SC flies as it always did, but the AS3X is noticeable in it . But with the SC being a 3 ch plane it really does not need it , but any little addition to the SC only makes it better .

The Delta Ray and that wide body in the wind certainly does need it more . I am sure the Sport Cub also will be a plane that the AS3X will only help make more enjoyable.

The Pitts is a plane it is really noticeable in .

Do Not get over confident with the AS3X advertising. Stabilization is not controlling.

Sometimes their advertising of it makes it seem it flies the plane in the wind, it simply makes minor adjustments giving YOU time to make proper stick inputs to Control the plane.

Take you hands off the controls, you will see how it works and especially how it doesn't.

All in all it is still a great addition to have at times.

Have fun flying no matter what else you do.

[sham]

Its arrived!
Quick inspection of the contents of the box show that the quality of the foam and general build is far superior to the super cub.
I've ordered the AS3X receiver.

Hopefully that will be here by the weekend and I can assemble the kit and program the radio.. Not tempting the weather gods by suggesting I might fly it this weekend.

Had a lovely session with the Super last night though.. Video to be posted later.

[sham]

Well. The receiver arrived today, so I programmed it and then built up the plane.
Cutting the foam for the flaps was nerve racking, but I think my slight slip was innocent and won't cause a problem.

All tests done, she's ready to maiden.

Now, after a week of stunning weather and still air... Guess what?

That's right, its too bloody windy!