Maiden flights for my Skylark today, 4 flights on 3s 1300 packs. I like this plane, what a smooth flyer! Very little trim needed, just a little elevator to get it to fly level at half throttle; a little less it descends, a little more and it climbs :-) Practiced my approaches mostly and did some touch-and-goes when the time was right. Grateful to you for highlighting the Skylark, what a great value!
AWESOME! Thanks for the flight report. I think it's really cool when a channel member can land a good deal on a product they like after I put the videos out there. So thank you for the flight report. Have fun with it!
Jeff, I'm about to maiden my Skylark and I too have a 3S 1300 mAh lipo. Assuming I fly low and slow how much time could I expect to get on a battery? Thx.
@@agentrock8495 I don't have my timer fine tuned for this plane yet so I can''t say for sure. It seems like I'm probably getting 4-5 minute flights. I would suggest you start with 3 minutes and do a battery check, then adjust from there. Enjoy!
@@jeffdillingham2999 Jeff, Thanks for the reply and advise. The manual specified and other flyers are running 2200 mAh batteries in their airplane. I just happen to have one 1300 so I'll begin with that. Thanks again.
Why did you end up setting up for control throws and expo? I finally decided to assemble mine and found the manual doesn’t have anything in the way of surface deflections.
What did you find to be a suitable CG? Was the twitchyness at 95mm an expo issue or trim issue? With a 3S 2200 and a motor this small it must fly forever, if it will balance with a 3S 1300 it would probably help with wing loading. I have a kit version in the box I’ll be assembling over the winter for next year.
For general sport flying, I'd take the Skylark. It has a longer tail moment and is perfectly capable as a sport flyer. It's more stable on the pitch axis than the Saber.
Hi Don, Me too. It is a pattern plane design. Take a look at this one. These two are almost identical down to the weight although the Airborne plane is 39.5" on the wingspan and the Skylark is 37.5" www.thewingsmaker.com/airplane_details.php?name=Sunrise%20EP%20(Kit)
So the CG at 95mm was good? BTW I ordered this plane. I couldn’t pass up a deal like that. I have a motor I could swap into it to pump up the power. Roll rate looks fun. What Expo are you using? Looks like you had a great day for flying. It also sounds like you have lots of help from the guys in the pits! 😂
This is a no brainer at $40 if you already have a motor sitting around. What motor are you going to use? I ordered a Leopard 2835 1350kv. Hope you have fun with it. I'll be spending a lot more time with this plane for sure. I happily encourage comments from the pits--adds color ;) 95mm is perfectly flyable and yields a neutral dive test and takes just a hint of down elevator to fly level while inverted. You may chose to adjust it, but you won't have any control problems at 95mm. I think next time I fly I'm going to move it forward 1-2mm to see what I think. Roll rate is *really* fast. Very much reminds me of the Top Flite Mini Contender which I nicknamed "Twitch" due to its roll rate. This plane is named Twitch v2. After my last flight of the day, here's what I have in my Taranis: High Rates Ailerons = 50 weight, 50 expo Elevator = 100 weight, 25 expo Rudder = 100 weight, 35 expo Low Rates Ailerons = 35 weight, 70 expo Elevator = 50 weight, 70 expo Rudder = 50 weight, 70 expo
@@davidknutz3314 That means 42amps on a 3S pack (530/12.4). 42amps on a 2836 sounds aggressive to me. Take a look at all the 283x motors and I think you'll find a range of 250-350w with the 1300kv+ topping around 350w. BUT: Try it first. You might be just fine with that one.
RC Video Reviews it’s 530 watts Capable. I probably won’t prop it so that it uses all 530 Watts. But, it’s nice that it won’t have to work at MAX power. I’ll probably try a few different props to find the “SWEET SPOT”.
It really isn't. This is very much a point and fly plane. It goes where you tell it to go and offers no opinion on corrections. It reminds me of the Flite Test 3D. I think the winning combo is to order the kit version, get some MG90 9g servos, a ZTW or Hobbyeagle 40a, and a Leopard 2835 1350kv with a 9x6, 9x7, or 10x5 prop. I'm ordering that motor for it today. If you can tolerate some minor imperfections in the paint and tweak the wings/gear as I showed in the build video, you get a competent plane for about $85-$90. A stabilizer would make it even better, but I'm going to conquer this plane without one first. Don't want a stab to be a crutch. [I'm updating the description with this info]
I have this sitting on the bench for well over a year now. Ordered a kit version and never got around to finish the build (life got in the way). Seeing this reminded me of why I picked it up in the first place: had to learn pattern.
If your situation permits I’d say build it and fly it. This is a fun little plane. It won’t be as precise as a heavy balsa plane but its flight characteristics are very similar to my 48” F3A Vanquish. I try new maneuvers on this plane first and when I’m comfortable with them I try on the Vanquish.
"Not supposed to mess around like that on a maiden?" Do you always get yelled at like this at clubs? I was thinking about joining a RC flying club but I've heard there's a lot of grumpy guys at RC clubs waiting to yell at you for anything.
You misunderstood what happened: I have a policy on maidens of getting up, flying some laps, trimming, checking CG, shooting approaches as necessary, and landing. The two guys there helping me are friends of mine and the one who said that was just busting my chops a little reminding me of my own rules. Nobody at our club gives anybody a hard time. In fact, I picked my club after reading the websites of several other clubs. Most of the others were more concerned about explaining who their officers were and what their policies were than anything else. My club just had some pictures, information about the field, and a tiny little link at the bottom for "bylaws". So I love my club. Very nice people there. There's always going to be one or two, but it's not in the culture of our club to be "bossy" Just not the way we roll.
@@RCVideoReviews Sounds like a great field then! Just wondering, because I'm interested in joining one but on the fence from things I've heard. Gotta get lucky and find a great group of people!
I’m 100% in your camp. I came from an unorganized environment and the whole idea of joining a club is against the grain for me. That’s why when I hunted I paid close attention to how they presented themselves. I noticed right away who was more concerned with rules than having fun flying. Good luck in your search.
Definitely nose heavy on maiden. I've moved it back about 3mm and like it there just fine. Inverted flight takes a whisper of down elevator which is how I like it.
I know. On maidens I tend to keep 'em moving until I learn how to fly them. I go through a lot of planes on this channel--unfortunately I don't get to spend the amount of time with them that I should.
Maiden flights for my Skylark today, 4 flights on 3s 1300 packs. I like this plane, what a smooth flyer! Very little trim needed, just a little elevator to get it to fly level at half throttle; a little less it descends, a little more and it climbs :-) Practiced my approaches mostly and did some touch-and-goes when the time was right. Grateful to you for highlighting the Skylark, what a great value!
AWESOME! Thanks for the flight report. I think it's really cool when a channel member can land a good deal on a product they like after I put the videos out there. So thank you for the flight report. Have fun with it!
Jeff, I'm about to maiden my Skylark and I too have a 3S 1300 mAh lipo. Assuming I fly low and slow how much time could I expect to get on a battery? Thx.
@@agentrock8495 I don't have my timer fine tuned for this plane yet so I can''t say for sure. It seems like I'm probably getting 4-5 minute flights. I would suggest you start with 3 minutes and do a battery check, then adjust from there. Enjoy!
@@jeffdillingham2999 Jeff, Thanks for the reply and advise. The manual specified and other flyers are running 2200 mAh batteries in their airplane. I just happen to have one 1300 so I'll begin with that. Thanks again.
Why did you end up setting up for control throws and expo? I finally decided to assemble mine and found the manual doesn’t have anything in the way of surface deflections.
What did you find to be a suitable CG? Was the twitchyness at 95mm an expo issue or trim issue? With a 3S 2200 and a motor this small it must fly forever, if it will balance with a 3S 1300 it would probably help with wing loading. I have a kit version in the box I’ll be assembling over the winter for next year.
anytime i have a plane that seems tail heavy i land it... important to me to have cg as good as possible before fine tuning trim...
can it use a 5200mah hard case 3s lipo or is that too heavy thanks
Way too heavy. 3s2200 is the right battery for this plane.
@@RCVideoReviews And does it come with electronics and everything ready to fly
Which is the better value hobby plane saber or skylark as far as sport flying
For general sport flying, I'd take the Skylark. It has a longer tail moment and is perfectly capable as a sport flyer. It's more stable on the pitch axis than the Saber.
Hi John,
Nice maiden. The Skylark-S shape reminds me vaguely of the Dynam Smart Trainer.
Hi Don, Me too. It is a pattern plane design. Take a look at this one. These two are almost identical down to the weight although the Airborne plane is 39.5" on the wingspan and the Skylark is 37.5"
www.thewingsmaker.com/airplane_details.php?name=Sunrise%20EP%20(Kit)
Donde tiene el CG ?
Book recommendation.
What is the diameter of the Front plastic spinner?
4cm
Did you try to use 4s on this?
No.
I just ordered this plane, what did you end up setting the expo at? Also, what percentages did you use for your high & low rates?
I used book rates with expo at 40. Expo is a very personal thing though.
So the CG at 95mm was good? BTW I ordered this plane. I couldn’t pass up a deal like that. I have a motor I could swap into it to pump up the power. Roll rate looks fun. What Expo are you using? Looks like you had a great day for flying. It also sounds like you have lots of help from the guys in the pits! 😂
This is a no brainer at $40 if you already have a motor sitting around. What motor are you going to use? I ordered a Leopard 2835 1350kv. Hope you have fun with it. I'll be spending a lot more time with this plane for sure.
I happily encourage comments from the pits--adds color ;)
95mm is perfectly flyable and yields a neutral dive test and takes just a hint of down elevator to fly level while inverted. You may chose to adjust it, but you won't have any control problems at 95mm. I think next time I fly I'm going to move it forward 1-2mm to see what I think. Roll rate is *really* fast. Very much reminds me of the Top Flite Mini Contender which I nicknamed "Twitch" due to its roll rate. This plane is named Twitch v2.
After my last flight of the day, here's what I have in my Taranis:
High Rates
Ailerons = 50 weight, 50 expo
Elevator = 100 weight, 25 expo
Rudder = 100 weight, 35 expo
Low Rates
Ailerons = 35 weight, 70 expo
Elevator = 50 weight, 70 expo
Rudder = 50 weight, 70 expo
RC Video Reviews I have a Propdrive 2836 1200kv motor. I hope it will fit or I’ll have to look for something else. But it’s rated for 530 watts.
@@davidknutz3314 That means 42amps on a 3S pack (530/12.4). 42amps on a 2836 sounds aggressive to me. Take a look at all the 283x motors and I think you'll find a range of 250-350w with the 1300kv+ topping around 350w. BUT: Try it first. You might be just fine with that one.
RC Video Reviews it’s 530 watts Capable. I probably won’t prop it so that it uses all 530 Watts. But, it’s nice that it won’t have to work at MAX power. I’ll probably try a few different props to find the “SWEET SPOT”.
@@davidknutz3314 I've got $5 on 10x6 or a derivative (9x7 / 11x5). I might try a 10x4.5SF on that Leopard I have on the way.
Hello 👋.
Hello 👋
Thanks for the maiden video. Not bad for a seventy buck plane. 👍🛫👏👏✌
It really isn't. This is very much a point and fly plane. It goes where you tell it to go and offers no opinion on corrections. It reminds me of the Flite Test 3D.
I think the winning combo is to order the kit version, get some MG90 9g servos, a ZTW or Hobbyeagle 40a, and a Leopard 2835 1350kv with a 9x6, 9x7, or 10x5 prop. I'm ordering that motor for it today. If you can tolerate some minor imperfections in the paint and tweak the wings/gear as I showed in the build video, you get a competent plane for about $85-$90. A stabilizer would make it even better, but I'm going to conquer this plane without one first. Don't want a stab to be a crutch.
[I'm updating the description with this info]
I have this sitting on the bench for well over a year now. Ordered a kit version and never got around to finish the build (life got in the way). Seeing this reminded me of why I picked it up in the first place: had to learn pattern.
If your situation permits I’d say build it and fly it. This is a fun little plane. It won’t be as precise as a heavy balsa plane but its flight characteristics are very similar to my 48” F3A Vanquish.
I try new maneuvers on this plane first and when I’m comfortable with them I try on the Vanquish.
"Not supposed to mess around like that on a maiden?" Do you always get yelled at like this at clubs? I was thinking about joining a RC flying club but I've heard there's a lot of grumpy guys at RC clubs waiting to yell at you for anything.
You misunderstood what happened: I have a policy on maidens of getting up, flying some laps, trimming, checking CG, shooting approaches as necessary, and landing. The two guys there helping me are friends of mine and the one who said that was just busting my chops a little reminding me of my own rules. Nobody at our club gives anybody a hard time. In fact, I picked my club after reading the websites of several other clubs. Most of the others were more concerned about explaining who their officers were and what their policies were than anything else. My club just had some pictures, information about the field, and a tiny little link at the bottom for "bylaws". So I love my club. Very nice people there. There's always going to be one or two, but it's not in the culture of our club to be "bossy" Just not the way we roll.
@@RCVideoReviews Sounds like a great field then! Just wondering, because I'm interested in joining one but on the fence from things I've heard. Gotta get lucky and find a great group of people!
I’m 100% in your camp. I came from an unorganized environment and the whole idea of joining a club is against the grain for me. That’s why when I hunted I paid close attention to how they presented themselves. I noticed right away who was more concerned with rules than having fun flying. Good luck in your search.
Yeah - captain ‘buzz-kill’ in the background needs to keep his comments to himself.
So how did the CG work out? Was it tail heavy or nose heavy when you took off?
Definitely nose heavy on maiden. I've moved it back about 3mm and like it there just fine. Inverted flight takes a whisper of down elevator which is how I like it.
It can fly much much much slower than that...
I know. On maidens I tend to keep 'em moving until I learn how to fly them. I go through a lot of planes on this channel--unfortunately I don't get to spend the amount of time with them that I should.
U need to curb ur enthusiasm. Someone might think u like this plane!
That Leopard motor is the whip in this plane. Exactly what it needed.