Its still cold at ETSA Park in August but.... WHAT A CROWD!

When I arrived at ETSA Park for tonight’s indoor flying entertainment, the Duty Manager told me that we would be flying on Court One. This was good news as it became a rehearsal for our “big night” in September. As we are a part of The Bay To Birdwood motoring event’s Cruising Classic Programme we are staging what has been officially billed as “Night Fliers On Parade” and, to fit in with the Birdwood organizers, we had to change our September night to the last Thursday night, the 29th rather than the usual third Thursday. With both of our leading aerobatic helicopter pilots, namely Hamish Scott and Matthew Waye appearing on that night, we are hoping for a bumper harvest of supporting pilots and their models to boost our programme so that we can entertain, what we hope will be, a large gathering of spectators.

To lift the entertainment value even higher, we would also like to see four-wheel-drive vehicles (the slippery floor is not kind to two-wheel force) and the Whiteline Road Train will perform, together with its fascinating electronic sound system. As the Duty Manager, due to work pressure, had forgotten all about us, we were so well behaved of course, we found ourselves with all four courts with full lighting all night and this quite successfully hid the fact that we had one of our two best flying numbers (24 in all) not only actively engaged, but, actively engaged over a large flying area which added to the overall safety. As a result of the extra space, I do not recall a single mid-air all night.

I have included only one picture in this month’s story and that is of Model Flight Staffer, Brenton, with the very latest to come from the Parkzone stable, the delightful looking UM F27Q Stryker 180 – a long, long title for such a baby? At the RRP of $179.99 from Model Flight’s Goodwood Road store it shows the way to flying one of the slickest aircraft in the micro group that have become so popular of late. It was a little disappointing in that, having spent some time in marrying the new model to his Transmitter, he was to discover that he needed more time than was available to set up this little aircraft and with a slight fault in the rudder mechanism, Brenton did not want to just give a part display in which he may have not been in full control or at full speed.

The good news in this portion of my epistle is that we will NOW see the Stryker make its debut when the night fliers are on parade. Don’t miss it. I shall leave it up to the discretion of our Web-Mistress or Master to insert my picture of Brenton just wherever he/she sees fit. In closing this month’s rather brief interlude, please stay with me as I remind you all that for us, it is Thursday as usual – the only exception is that our September flying night will be on the 29th and that all fees remain unchanged. Here’s a wee secret … the motoring people who are going to fill the galleries will be paying $5 – the small fee going to a charity of the Birdwood people’s choice, whereas our usual spectators will visit for free. I wish you all happy and exotic flying.

The Phoenix

Announcing the E-flite Carbon-Z Scimitar RC Plane

The E-flite Carbon-Z Scimitar is true satisfaction for the RC pilot who desires flight performance and adrenaline pounding excitement previously thought impossible from a conventional rc aircraft platform. The fantasy-scale Carbon-Z Scimitar RC Plane, designed by world aerobatic champion Quique Somenzini, bursts open the performance envelope with an evolutionary compound-delta flying wing. At the heart of the advanced Carbon-Z Scimitar is a specially tuned Q-Power system harnessed inside a revolutionary single-axis, vectored-thrust propeller system. In combination with the precision of carbon rod hinged elevons and twin rudders, a refreshing level of maneuverability can be explored after less than an evening’s worth of assembly time.

Features of this great new rc plane are:

• Dual rudder and vectored-thrust control on the yaw axis
• Exceptionally strong and lightweight Carbon-Z structure
• Digital high-speed servos installed
• Single screw access to the electronic equipment
• Effective front and side cooling inlets with interior venting
• High-quality socket-head hardware throughout
• Distinctive color scheme for superior visibility
• Ready to accept optional E-flite electric retracts (EFLG110)
• All components, including the nose and control surfaces, are easily replaceable

You can view more images and information about this exciting new plane HERE

ParkZone Pole Cat Tail Replacement How To

ParkZone Pole Cat Tail Replacement How To by John Redman

The Ultra Micro Series Pole Cat Pylon Racer is modeled after the modified Cassutt Formula 1 air racers that compete in the world famous Reno Air Race. It's been specially designed to deliver all the looks and thrills of these Reno speedsters yet remain as forgiving as any sport rc plane. Whether you're banking and yanking around the pylons with the throttle wide open, unwinding with some sport aerobatics, or simply shooting touch and goes, the Ultra-Micro Pole Cat is a joy to fly at any speed.

This How-To Tail Replacement video will help you better understand what you need to do to replace the tail on your Pole Cat. We walk you through the steps explaining exactly what to do and when to do it. This tutorial should help you replace the tail on your Ultra Micro Pole Cat in just a few short minutes in the work shop.

How-To Replace the ParkZone Pole Cat's Main Wing

Changing the Wing on Your ParkZone Pole Cat by John Redman

The Ultra Micro Series Pole Cat RC Plane is modeled after the modified Cassutt Formula 1 air racers that compete in the world famous Reno Air Race. It's been specially designed to deliver all the looks and thrills of these Reno speedsters yet remain as forgiving as any sport plane. Whether you're banking and yanking around the pylons with the throttle wide open, unwinding with some sport aerobatics, or simply shooting touch and goes, the Pole Cat is a joy to fly at any speed.

This How-To Wing Replacement video will help you better understand what you need to do to replace the wing on your Pole Cat. We walk you through the steps explaining exactly what to do and when to do it. This tutorial should help you replace the wing on your Ultra Micro Pole Cat in just a few short minutes in the work shop.

How To Replace the Receiver and Gearbox in the ParkZone Pole Cat

ParkZone Pole Cat RX Board/Motor Gearbox Replacement How To by John Redman

The Ultra Micro Series Pole Cat is a great new RC Plane modeled after the modified Cassutt Formula 1 air racers that compete in the world famous Reno Air Race. It's been specially designed to deliver all the looks and thrills of these Reno speedsters yet remain as forgiving as any sport plane. Whether you're banking and yanking around the pylons with the throttle wide open, unwinding with some sport aerobatics, or simply shooting touch and goes, the Pole Cat is a joy to fly at any speed.

This How-To Receiver Board/Motor Gearbox Replacement video will help you better understand what you need to do to replace the receiver board and motor/gearbox on your Pole Cat Electric RC Plane. We walk you through the steps explaining exactly what to do and when to do it. This tutorial should help you replace the receiver board and motor/gearbox on your Ultra Micro Pole Cat in just a few short minutes in the work shop...

Stryker 180 Vs Sbach 342

Thanks to chuck for sending us this video of the Parkzone Stryker 180 and Sbach 342....here's what he had to say about them:

"What a great weekend of weather we had, managed to get out and maiden my new Sbach 342 and it flew great straight out of the box, really like this plane it's a beauty, i also took the Stryker 180 to do a compare video, both planes are just amazing, but are 2 completely different planes, the Stryker is a pure fun plane taking it up and seeing what you can make it do, with quick recoveries from moves that didn't work.  I'm going to have trouble giving this one back haha i have been flying the pants off it and reckon i am now ready to try some 5 mistakes high 100% rates to get even more fun out of this beauty, it really is a plane that i think will sell out quick!" Chuck ThrillSeeker

Team Losi Racing 22T Stadium Truck Preview

Team Losi Racing completely changed the landscape of 1/10-scale electric off-road racing in December of 2010 with the debut of the 22 2WD Buggy. From its aluminum chassis, sliding rack steering system, big bore shocks and mid- or rear-motor configuration, the 22 RC Buggy was dramatically different than anything else out there. Team Losi Racing has had a tradition of bringing out a buggy first, followed by a stadium truck shortly thereafter. Fast-forward 8-short months and Team Losi Racing is at it once again, this time bringing 22-style tech to the 1/10-scale Stadium Truck class with the new 22T.

The 22T isn't simply a longer and wider 22 Buggy, oh no, no, no. The 22T RC Truck represents a number of changes and refinements to TLR stadium trucks. Of course, you get the rear and mid-motor configuration options which debuted on the 22, but there's more here to help raise the performance to the next level. The 22T uses a common wheel on each end of the truck thanks to a new bearing-supported front axle design. Other new features include a new front kick plate, longer truck-specific rear shocks and shock towers, new steering spindles and a lot more. We managed to catch up with the Team Losi Racing Development Manager, Todd Hodge, to pick his brain on this latest stadium truck from TLR. If you're into stadium trucks, this is one rig you'll definitely want to check out.