Wow the Z3 rocks!!

[Billy_boy_2010]

Built a Z3 and maidened her today. Unfortunately no video of the launch.

A few observations:

I launched by holding the wing with both hands and throwing it backwards over my head. My friend flew it LOS until it was trimmed. It didn't need much trimming though.

Even with a 1000W motor and a single 4S battery it wasn't hugely over powered. I would be worried about flying this with a low wattage motor- I suspect a fair few people who struggle with launching are running <500W.

This plane tracks *so* smoothly. Just locked in and rock solid. It actually flies in a similar way to a funjet. Only a funjet is as locked in as this. Everyone talks about a plane flying on rails- I have never experienced this feeling until this Z3. Not my Z1 or my TW40.

Foam is v fragile. A few heavy landings on a ploughed field and she's already taken a bit of a crumple on the nose. I'm going to tape the nose up big time before I fly her again.

God knows if I have the balls to launch this alone. Maybe. Into the wind. With a slight downward slope to give me a few extra feet to get some speed up.....

Need to find a decent way of mounting the HD cam (foxeer legend). I really hate to hack into the foam but I can't see what else I can do.....

[mutley2]

Chuffed you are enjoying the Z3, a good throw and she will be away. I put tape on the underside from the start even with lam and she's stood up well.
Calm day with a full battery pack and you will never want to fly another wing, until you fly a Drak lol
Well done sir, keep up the good work!

[Billy_boy_2010]

Thanks man.

After a few more flights it will be about how I can squeeze the most flight time from a single pack. I doubt she will launch with 2 batteries in there.

Think the Drak will always be too big for me. A mini Drak may well be a good option. Although I think it will struggle with wind if it's only 36".

Good plan on the tape- will get it nicely taped up before flying again. Weather is rubbish for the next week anyway!

[dogzilla]

Congrats mate glad you got it up in the air. I love the way the Z3 handles, probably the most fun plane to fly for its flight characteristics.

As for the nose.... that's the biggest weakness of this plane however I've put mine down in many tough locations and it's not been a problem yet.

[Billy_boy_2010]

Thanks mate- I meant to mention in the original post that your advice has been invaluable. Thanks a lot :)

[dogzilla]

BTW I've been flying with a 11x5 prop and it really helps with thrust on launch, with more than enough pitch speed for flying.

Might chew a more up on landing but for £3 for an APC prop it's not a huge problem.

[Coyote]

BTW I've been flying with a 11x5 prop and it really helps with thrust on launch, with more than enough pitch speed for flying.

Might chew a more up on landing but for £3 for an APC prop it's not a huge problem.

On which motor James ?

I tried a 11" on the 1250kv 700W SK I have here and it didn't have enough power to launch itself.

[dogzilla]

Have run the 11x5 on both my Hyperion 3014-12 1132kv and OS 3820-1200kv.

If you've prop'd for 10x6 and switch to 11x5 then you should be getting more static thrust as the expense of some pitch speed. Unless the motor is getting bogged down and just can't turn the bigger prop but I can't think swapping would have that much effect.

[Coyote]

It bogs it right down, the revs are really low so I swapped back to a 10x6 but yet to try it out. Paul has the same motor with a 10x6 and the difference in the sound of the revs between the two was obvious.