Author Topic: Estes Sky Squadron RC (Read 163 times)

Seagoon · « **on:** July 13, 2007, 09:51:44 AM »

Hi Guys,

A few days ago I received an Estes Sky Squadron RC airplane as an early birthday present from my parents who were in town visiting the grandkids. It was labeled "backyard flyer" so I took it out into our large backyard and began trying to fly it. After hitting everything in the backyard several times, I decided "backyard flyer" was a total misnomer (backyard kamikaze might work). The plane has nothing but rudder control and it seems to require a large space to even begin flying level. I then took the plane to the local sports field and it only flew straight and level twice. I had one "almost-a-flight" where it did a slow circle for about a minute, but not because I was steering it in that direction.

Admittedly I'm a terrible pilot, but the plane doesn't seem to be very flyable from the word go. I'm not even getting a chance to oversteer it into the ground. Anyone have one of these or have any advice or should I just junk it? I was considering cutting and bending the foam and using some tape to create some fixed mock elevators to get the nose up more consistently. But I'm not sure that's wise.

- SEAGOON

ForrestS · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2007, 10:15:56 AM »

Sounds like its the airplane not you. You can't control it very good if all you have is rudder.

Now if it was a 3-Channel you would have Elevators and Rudder. Then you would have a whole lot more control.

I live out in Texas and if i was ever to get any type of R/C airplane it would be a 3-Channel sailplane. Theres lots of thermals out here(when its not raining:furious).

FBBone · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2007, 10:29:03 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by ForrestS
Sounds like its the airplane not you. You can't control it very good if all you have is rudder.

Now if it was a 3-Channel you would have Elevators and Rudder. Then you would have a whole lot more control.

I live out in Texas and if i was ever to get any type of R/C airplane it would be a 3-Channel sailplane. Theres lots of thermals out here(when its not raining:furious).

I learned to fly on rudder only control, theres nothing wrong with single channel if youve got a good plane that is well trimmed. That said, Estes single channel planes are crap, I'm sorry that what seems to be your first experience in R/C was a poor one. There are a lot of fine "backyard" fliers out there, but in truth you'll likely need a BIG backyard or a park to fly in. Oh yeah, the fewer the trees (or other obstacles) the more fun you'll have when starting out.

ForrestS · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2007, 10:39:51 AM »

I learned on with no movable surfaces, i used engines.